What Is Kyphosis?
Kyphosis is an increased outward curve of the spine, most often seen in the upper back. The curve may relate to spinal structure, posture, vertebral changes, or muscle imbalance. Some kyphosis is flexible and changes with position, while other forms remain fixed. Assessment considers spinal alignment, movement, symptoms, and relevant health history.
Quick Facts About Kyphosis
Category
Spinal alignment condition
Used for
Describing an outward spinal curve
Common confusion
Kyphosis differs from scoliosis and lordosis
Also called
Rounded Upper Back, Hyperkyphosis
Often discussed with
Scoliosis Treatment, Posture Correction
Key Takeaways About Kyphosis
- Kyphosis affects the spine’s outward curve, commonly in the upper back.
- Postural kyphosis may change as you adjust position or move.
- Kyphosis is not the same as scoliosis, which involves side-to-side curvature.
How Kyphosis Works
Kyphosis describes how the spine curves outward when viewed from the side. The thoracic spine naturally has an outward curve, but kyphosis refers to an increase in that shape. The curve may be flexible, which means posture and movement influence its appearance, or fixed, which means the spinal structure limits change.
Related glossary terms: Thoracic Spine, Forward Head Posture, Range Of Motion.
Clinicians assess kyphosis by observing posture, spinal alignment, movement, and related muscle patterns. Imaging may help show the shape of the vertebrae when a structural cause is suspected. Postural kyphosis often relates to sustained positioning, while conditions involving vertebral shape can create a more fixed curve. Scoliosis is a different alignment pattern that bends the spine from side to side.
From the Arrowhead Clinic Chiropractor Savannah team
When we assess kyphosis, we review posture, spinal motion, muscle balance, and the person’s reported symptoms. Our team also considers how the upper back, neck, and lower back work together during movement. That information helps us place the concern within a broader scoliosis treatment plan.
Kyphosis in Practice: A Real-World Example
A person seeking scoliosis treatment may show a rounded upper back while standing and a straighter posture during movement. The clinical review would distinguish a flexible postural pattern from a curve linked to spinal structure.
Related Services
Related Terms
Thoracic Spine
Thoracic Spine is the middle section of the spinal column between the neck and lower back…
Forward Head Posture
Forward Head Posture is a postural alignment pattern in which the head rests ahead of the…
Range Of Motion
Range of motion is the available movement at a joint or body region. The term describes…
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