Spinal curves: MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia Image (2024)

FAQs

What are the 4 curves of the spine? ›

There are four natural curves in the spinal column. The cervical, thoracic, lumbar, and sacral curvature. The curves, along with the intervertebral disks, help to absorb and distribute stresses that occur from everyday activities such as walking or from more intense activities such as running and jumping.

People with scoliosis have a side-to-side curve in the spine that can look like an "S" or a "C." The spine is sometimes called "the backbone," but it's not just one bone. It's made of lots of bones (called vertebrae) that are connected by a type of elastic tissue called cartilage.

All spinal deformities involve problems of the curve or rotation of the spine. Common adult spinal deformities are scoliosis, kyphosis, and lordosis.

The cervical spine curves slightly inward, sometimes described as a backward C-shape or lordotic curve. The thoracic spine curves outward, forming a regular C-shape with the opening at the front—or a kyphotic curve. The lumbar spine curves inward and, like the cervical spine, has a lordotic or backward C-shape.

The vertebral column is curved, with two primary curvatures (thoracic and sacrococcygeal curves) and two secondary curvatures (cervical and lumbar curves).

Kyphosis – A rounding of the spine in the upper back. It can look like you have a hump in your back. Lordosis – An increased curve toward the front of your body in your lower back or neck area.

No. If you have scoliosis, you can NOT just go to a chiropractor to fix it. If you want to slow or reverse scoliosis progression, then you need to find a scoliosis chiropractor, one who has the proper certifications and training for properly treating scoliosis as a chiropractor.

Any exercise or sport that involves repeated torso extensions of the thoracic spine (middle/upper back), such as deep backbends (as in some yoga positions), gymnastics, high jumps, diving, and certain dance maneuvers, should be avoided.

Activities that overuse one side of the body are not recommended for people with scoliosis because they exacerbate the imbalance that's already occurring, due to the condition's asymmetrical effects, and can increase related muscle imbalance and postural deviation: golf, tennis, bowling, etc.

The vertebral curvature abnormality that is the most serious is scoliosis. Scoliosis involves sideways curvature of the spine, and it is the most serious due to the pressure that can be put onto the lungs. The sideways curvature of the spine can press on the lungs possibly making it very difficult to breathe.

Can you have a curved spine without scoliosis? ›

Spine curvature can be a result of two conditions — scoliosis or kyphosis. Though the conditions may be similar, they aren't exactly the same.

Adolescent idiopathic scoliosis is the most common type of scoliosis and is usually diagnosed during puberty. Congenital scoliosis results from embryological malformation of one or more vertebrae and may occur in any location of the spine.

If viewed from the front and/or back, the spine will appear straight, and when viewed from either side, it will take on a soft 'S' shape, and this is because of the spine's natural curves. The spine's natural curves make it more flexible, better able to handle mechanical stress, and stronger, like a coiled spring.

Normal lordosis is the two forward curves seen in the neck (cervical spine) and low back (lumbar spine). Normal kyphosis is the two backward curves seen in the chest (thoracic spine) and hip areas (sacral spine).

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.

People who develop scoliosis after puberty have adult scoliosis. Levoscoliosis is the name for scoliosis that makes your spine curve to the left. Dextroscoliosis is scoliosis that makes your spine curve to the right. Most people who have mild levoscoliosis or mild dextroscoliosis don't need treatment.

A healthy cervical curve resembles a wide, backward “C” shape and according to Dr. Travis Russell, D.C., chiropractic director of Chiro One Wellness Center of Naperville, the ideal cervical curve is approximately 42 degrees when standing upright.