Hyperkyphosis

Maintaining a healthy lifestyle will help you to avoid back pain later in life. You’ve doubtlessly noticed that some people hunch forward more as they age. This is called hyperkyphosis, and although we can treat people with sore backs at Kosak Chiropractic in Fairfield, we wanted to explain a bit about how it develops, and how we can work with patients to prevent it.

Hyperkyphosis is usually associated with osteoporosis. Our bones are living tissue, and are constantly breaking down and rebuilding. But when a person doesn’t get enough minerals to rebuild their bones, they are said to have osteoporosis, and their vertebrae start to deteriorate. When the vertebrae's structure has become less dense, a condition called osteopenia, they are at greater risk of incurring tiny compression fractures from ordinary activities. If a person accumulates a lot of tiny fractures, the vertebrae could begin collapsing, causing the person to stoop forward.

Usually, compression fractures occur in the body of the vertebrae. As part of our preventive care, we offer lifestyle medicine, such as diets and supplements that will help a person get enough calcium and Vitamin D to maintain their bone density. But we also recommend core-strengthening exercises, which will reduce the burden on vertebral bodies. Swimming and yoga are popular ways of building up core muscles that don’t subject the spine to impacts. Maintaining better posture while standing and seated can also reduce strain on the back muscles.

Kosak Chiropractic is located at 1252 Travis Blvd., Suite G, Fairfield, CA, 94533. To schedule an appointment, visit Kosak Chiropractic online or call 707-426-1111.