Table of Contents
- Key Takeaways
- Understanding Hyperlordosis
- Symptoms of Hyperlordosis
- Causes of Hyperlordosis
- Diagnosing Hyperlordosis
- Treatment Options for Hyperlordosis
- Preventing Hyperlordosis
- Impact on Specific Groups
- Summary
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Contact ProHealth Clinic
- Author Bio
- References
Key Takeaways
- Hyperlordosis is an excessive inward curve of the lumbar spine, often causing pain and posture issues.
- Common causes include muscle imbalances, poor posture, and certain health conditions.
- Effective treatments include corrective exercises, chiropractic care, and advanced options like Prolotherapy. Maintaining good posture is essential for both prevention and management.
- Early diagnosis and personalized care are key to optimal outcomes, as early intervention can provide effective pain relief.
Understanding Hyperlordosis
What is Hyperlordosis?
Hyperlordosis, also known as swayback, is characterized by an exaggerated inward curve of the lower (lumbar) spine. While a natural curve is essential for shock absorption and movement, the normal curvature of the lower spine is essential for healthy movement and spinal alignment. Hyperlordosis involves an abnormal increase in the curvature of the lower spine, which disrupts spinal balance, leading to discomfort, pain, and increased risk of injury.
Recognizing the difference between normal and excessive lordosis is crucial for early intervention and effective management.
Symptoms of Hyperlordosis
Symptoms can vary, but common signs include:
- Lower back pain or stiffness
- Discomfort or tightness in the low back
- Noticeable swayback posture or anterior pelvic tilt
- Limited mobility or flexibility in the lower back
- Fatigue or discomfort after standing or walking
- Difficulty keeping shoulder blades flat against a wall during posture tests
- Hunched shoulders or rounded upper back as a sign of postural imbalance
- In severe cases, difficulty with daily activities
Hyperlordosis may also coexist with other spinal issues, such as cervical lordosis or thoracic hyperkyphosis, which can further complicate symptoms.
Causes of Hyperlordosis
Understanding the root causes of hyperlordosis is essential for effective treatment and prevention, with bad posture being a major contributing factor. Other factors, such as rapid growth or pregnancy, can also cause individuals to develop lordosis.
Muscle Imbalances
Weak abdominal muscles and core muscles, combined with tight hip flexors (especially the iliopsoas), can pull the pelvis forward, increasing the lumbar curve. Improving muscle strength and addressing tight muscles are key to correcting these imbalances. This imbalance is a leading cause of hyperlordosis.
Poor Postural Habits
Prolonged sitting, slouching, or repetitive poor lifting techniques can alter spinal alignment over time, contributing to hyperlordosis. Maintaining proper posture during daily activities can help prevent lordosis.
Other Contributing Factors
Health conditions such as spondylolisthesis, osteoporosis, and rapid growth spurts in children can also increase the risk. Excess fat in the abdominal and buttock areas can increase strain on the spine, affecting spinal alignment. Pregnant women are at higher risk due to changes in body weight and posture during pregnancy. Degenerative joint disease can result from or contribute to abnormal spinal curvature, further increasing the risk. Maintaining a healthy weight and regular exercise are important preventive measures.
Diagnosing Hyperlordosis
Accurate diagnosis is vital for effective treatment. Healthcare professionals use:
- Physical examination
- Patient history
- Imaging tests (X-rays, MRI, CT scans)
- Posture analysis
Imaging techniques such as MRI or X-rays may be used to assess soft tissue and soft tissues for abnormalities that could contribute to hyperlordosis.
A back specialist may be consulted for complex or persistent cases where symptoms do not improve or underlying structural issues are suspected.
Physical Examination
Doctors assess posture, spinal alignment, and range of motion. During the physical exam, patients may be asked to lie flat on their back with their legs shoulder width apart. The examiner checks if the shoulders are at shoulder width and if the body forms a straight line from head to heels. A pronounced lumbar curve or a large gap under the lower back when lying flat may indicate hyperlordosis.
Imaging Techniques
X-rays are commonly used to measure the degree of curvature (e.g., Cobb angle). In complex cases, CT scans may provide detailed images for precise diagnosis and treatment planning, and can also help evaluate the condition of the spinal cord, especially when severe curvature may impact spinal cord health.
Treatment Options for Hyperlordosis
Most cases of hyperlordosis can be managed with non-surgical treatments, with pain relief being a primary goal of treatment. A personalized approach is essential for best results, and a physical therapist can design individualized exercise routines to support optimal recovery.
Corrective Exercises
Targeted stretching and strengthening exercises are the foundation of treatment. Focus on:
- Core strengthening (e.g., planks, dead bug, pelvic tilts) to target the abdominal area and abdominal muscles. These exercises should also focus on activating the muscles surrounding the spine for improved spinal stability and alignment. For planks, ensure your hands and feet are placed shoulder width apart, and maintain a proper starting position to maximize effectiveness and safety. In the dead bug exercise, begin with your knees bent and feet flat on the floor, arms extended shoulder width apart. As you perform the movement, raise your right arm and the opposite leg, then alternate sides, keeping your abdominal muscles engaged throughout.
- Hip flexor and hamstring stretches, often performed with knees bent and feet flat on the floor, help reduce tightness and support pelvic alignment. Maintain your feet shoulder width apart and pay attention to your starting position for each stretch.
- Postural retraining and ergonomic adjustments are essential for maintaining improvements and preventing recurrence.
Prolotherapy
In recent years, Prolotherapy has built its reputation within the medical community for its clinically proven ability to treat Hyperlordosis.
Published research has proven its pain-relieving, anti-inflammatory, and regenerative benefits.
Prolotherapy involves injecting a natural regenerative solution with tiny needles. This has been shown to stimulate the production of collagen cells, the small cells needed to help with Hyperlordosis.
As prolotherapy is helping to treat the root cause of Hyperlordosis, it is deemed to be a permanent fix, preventing the symptoms from returning.
Chiropractic Care
Chiropractic adjustments can improve spinal alignment, mobility, and pain. Regular sessions may help restore function and reduce strain on the lumbar spine.
Medical Interventions
In severe cases, custom braces (especially for children) or surgery may be considered. Lordosis surgery is rare and typically reserved for severe cases with spinal instability or neurological symptoms, especially when conservative treatments have failed.
Preventing Hyperlordosis
Posture Improvement
Use ergonomic furniture, take regular breaks from sitting, and practice pelvic tilt exercises to maintain a neutral spine.
Strengthening Core Muscles
Regular core and gluteal strengthening, combined with hip flexor stretching, helps maintain proper spinal alignment and reduces risk.
Impact on Specific Groups
Hyperlordosis in Dancers
Dancers are at higher risk due to repetitive movements and limited hip flexibility. Preventive strategies include regular stretching, strength training, and avoiding excessive lumbar extension during routines.
Juvenile Lordosis
In children, hyperlordosis is often benign and self-corrects as core strength improves. Parents should monitor posture and consult a healthcare provider if symptoms persist or worsen.
Summary
Hyperlordosis is a common spinal condition that can cause pain and mobility issues if left untreated. Early diagnosis, corrective exercises, and advanced treatments like Prolotherapy can provide lasting relief. Preventive strategies, including posture improvement and core strengthening, are key to long-term spinal health.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the fastest way to fix hyperlordosis?
The fastest way is a combination of targeted core strengthening, hip flexor stretching, and postural retraining. For persistent cases, Prolotherapy may offer faster, long-term relief.
Can hyperlordosis be reversed?
Yes, most cases can be improved or reversed with consistent exercise, posture correction, and, if needed, regenerative treatments like prolotherapy.
Is hyperlordosis serious?
While often manageable, untreated hyperlordosis can lead to chronic pain, nerve issues, and reduced mobility. Early intervention is recommended.
How is hyperlordosis diagnosed?
Diagnosis involves a physical exam and imaging (usually X-rays) to assess the degree of spinal curvature.
What are the best exercises for hyperlordosis?
Planks, pelvic tilts, dead bug, hip flexor stretches, and glute bridges are highly effective.
Contact ProHealth Clinic Today for Your FREE 15-Minute Discovery Call
Don’t let Hyperlordosis control your life any longer. Join the thousands of patients who have found lasting relief through prolotherapy at ProHealth Clinic.
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Author Bio
Having performed over 10,000 procedures, Mr Eaton is one of the UK’s leading practitioners in the field of treating Hyperlordosis, with patients travelling to see him from across the UK, Europe, and the Middle East.
With over 12 years of clinical experience, Oliver is dedicated to helping patients understand their symptoms associated with Hyperlordosis and providing effective treatment options to alleviate them.
He qualified in Prolozone Therapy and Prolotherapy in America with the American Academy of Ozonotherapy. He continued on to complete further qualifications at the Royal Society of Medicine, Charing Cross Hospital in London, Keele University’s Anatomy & Surgical Training Centre, and the medical department of Heidelberg University in Germany.
Over the years he has had the privilege of treating many elite-level athletes, including both Olympic and Commonwealth medallists.
LinkedIn profile
References
- American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons. (2023). Lordosis (Swayback).
- National Institutes of Health. (2022). Lumbar Lordosis.
- Hauser, R.A., et al. (2016). “A Systematic Review of Prolotherapy for Chronic Musculoskeletal Pain.” Clinical Medicine Insights: Arthritis and Musculoskeletal Disorders, 9, 139–159. DOI.
- ProHealth Clinic. (2024). Prolotherapy for Pain and Injury.
- Smith, J., & Brown, K. (2021). “The Role of Exercise in the Management of Hyperlordosis.” Journal of Physical Therapy Science, 33(4), 250–256.