A ‘normal’ spine as viewed from the side, front and back
In this blog post, we willlook at what constitutes a ‘normal’ curvature of the spine and what is classed as an abnormal / excessive curvature.Normal Curvature of the Spine
A normal curvature of the spine appears in the neck and lower back areas of the spine. When viewed from the side, these soft curves bend forwardat the neck (cervical) section and outwards in the lower half (lumbar) of the spine.These normal curvatures of the spine help to distribute bodily stress more evenly during restand movement.Thesecurves balance each otherout, so your head should be aligned with your hips when standing up straight. This position works to minimise the effect of gravity and allows you to have good posture when moving around.A healthy spine with a normal curvature should still be centred on the pelvis, and more or less straight when viewed from behind.While most people have a slight sideways curve, the spine should not curve more than 10 degrees to the left or right.Abnormal Curvatures of the Spine
An abnormal curvature of the spine cantake a number of different forms, including:- Scoliosis– Scoliosis is an excessive curvature of the spine to the left or right (or both). Common symptoms of scoliosis include uneven shoulder blades, hips and rib humps.
- Hyperlordosis –Hyperlordosis isan excessive forward curvature of the lower spine, making it appear that the patient’s stomach and rear are sticking out.
- Hyperkyphosis –Hyperkyphosis is anexcessiveforwardcurvature of theupper spine, often resulting in a ‘hunchback’ appearance.
