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Is Lordosis a common problem?

Lordosis is also known as Hyperlordosis or Swayback or Saddleback. It is an abnormal excessive front-to-back curvature of the lower back Lumbar Spine. Hyperlordosis is one of the most common causes of Lower Back Pain yet is a correctable condition if addressed properly.

What is the cause of Lordosis?

If the pelvis rotates forward as a result of some kind of condition, the center of gravity of the body will move forward as well. The upper torso will then move backward to reposition the center of gravity so that it is vertically balanced. An excessive front-to-back lumbar curve is the end result given other names such as Hyperlordosis, Swayback, or Saddleback. This Postural Dysfunction of the lower back Lumbar Spine causes muscular imbalances as well as incorrect Lumbar Spine positioning. Hyperlordosis doesn’t happen overnight, but develops over a period of time, and is fundamentally a postural and developmental problem.

How is Lordosis associated with Foot Positioning?

Lordosis occurs when the heels of the feet are lifted higher than the balls of the feet. Lordosis is caused by wearing high heeled shoes, which results in postural dysfunction of the lower back. That postural dysfunction then causes muscular imbalances ot occur where there are weak and inhibited muscle groups in opposition to corresponding anterior and posterior hypertonic muscle groups in the pelvis and lower torso. This results in Lower Crossed Syndrome, a common muscular imbalanced condition of the lower torso.

What are the corresponding Hypertonic (Excessively Tight) Muscle Groups for Lower Crossed Syndrome?

The Hip Flexors (Psoas Muscles) and the upper anterior thigh muscles (Rectus Femoris and Sartorius) are the anterior hypertonic muscle groups directly related to Hyperlordosis and Lower Crossed Syndrome. The muscles of the Lumbar Spine (Erector Spinae, Multifidi, Quadratus Lumborum, Rotatores) are the posterior hypertonic muscle groups directly related to Hyperlordosis and Lower Crossed Syndrome.

What are the Weak and Inhibited Muscle Groups that correspond with Lower Crossed Syndrome?

The abdominal Muscles (Rectus Abdominus) are the anterior weak and inhibited muscle groups directly related to Hyperlordosis. The buttocks muscles (Gluteus Maximus) and the posterior upper leg muscles (also known as the Hamstrings or Biceps Femoris) are the posterior weak and inhibited muscle groups directly related to Lordosis.

How is Lower Back Pain caused by Hyperlordosis?

With the spine positioned in an excessive lordotic curve, a primary dysfunctional source of pain and a secondary dysfunctional source of pain is created. The primary source of pain is the improperly positioned lumbar spine. The secondary source of pain is the abnormal tissue hypertonicity that is created.

How does the improperly positioned Spine cause Lower Back Pain?

Unbalanced, uneven, and abnormal weight bearing loads created by the improperly positioned lumbar spine, are imposed upon the Lumbar Vertebrae and the Intervertebral Discs as a result of the Hyperlordosis. Nerve impingement or Sciatica is a possible result of that condition. Incorrect Lumbar Facet Joint movement i.e. reduced Lumbar Facet Joint movement or Lumbar Facet Joint Compression which can turn into Lumbar Facet Syndrome is also the result of the excessive curvature. A stuck open or closed Facet Joint or a Facet Joint that sticks or binds could also result in Facet Arthritis or Facet Syndrome.

The Improperly Positioned Spine results in what kind of Pain Symptoms?

The Improperly Positioned Hyperextended Lumbar Spine results in Facet Joint Compression, decreased Facet Joint movement, and irritation caused within the limited Facet ROM-Range of Motion. Facet Syndrome Pain Symptoms are commonly experienced due to the Hyperextended state. Over time, additional Pain symptoms would be the result of degeneration of Intervertebral Discs, and Osteophyte (Bone Spurs) development that would have an effect upon nerve roots in the Lumbar area. The resulting pain could be localized, radiating, or Radicular-nerve root pain.

How is Lower Back Pain related to Tissue Hypertonicity?

When Lordosis occurs, the hypertonic tissues experience excessive soft tissue loading and compression as well as reduced circulation due to the compressive state. The excessive tissue loading in turn causes reduced circulation that results in the inability to move waste products out of the muscles, ligaments, tendons, and other soft tissue, as well as impeding the flow of nutrients into cell structures. The result of this multiple cause and effect issue is significantly reduced circulation that not only results in lower back pain, but can also result in Ischemia (lack of Blood Flow) or Myofascial Pain Syndrome or Trigger Points.

What can be done about Lordosis?

The first thing that should be done is to alleviate as much as possible any condition that positions the heels higher than the balls of the feet while standing. The best Hyperlordosis approach to treatment is a Diagnostic Pain Assessment conducted by a skilled Medical Massage Therapist or other Healthcare Professional prior to Hyperlordosis Treatment. Comprehensive compilation of information based upon Postural Analysis, Range of Motion Testing and other Special Tests will be used in the Assessment to formulate the most effective treatment plan for this condition.