kyphosis

[Robert V]

I am going to begin training a young lady with a slight kyphosis. She is tall and I suspect it began with trying to conceal her height.

From a Z-health perspective, where would you begin? I have an idea, but I want more info.

Thanks!

[bob_stra]

I am going to begin training a young lady with a slight kyphosis. She is tall and I suspect it began with trying to conceal her height.

From a Zdorovye perspective, where would you begin? I have an idea, but I want more info.

Thanks!

Here are several ideas you might like to consider.

(note: I'm assuming you mean thoracic kyphosis - ie: shoulder slump)

Being that my background is in the "medical arts", I always start from the worse case scenario and then work my way backwards to reality ;-)

AFAIK, here some "worse case scenarios" that might cause kyphosis -

Stroke
Scheuermann Disease
Osteoporosis
Anterior Vertebral wedging
Disc tearing
Spondylosis
Tuberculosis
Spinal Cancer

You can have a field day looking those up if you wish. AFAIK only the last 2 are really contraindicated, with the others being relatively contraindicated. IOW, if in doubt, refer her out (MD, DC, DO, PT etc)

Now, back to mundane reality ;-)

(1)
For many years, the prevailing wisdom was that a weakness in the back muscles or a tightness in the chest muscles would cause one to slump. (more often, chest muscle "tightness" was thought to be the cause). Excluding certain pathological states (and perhaps even then), this has been blasted out of the water. You can read a good, short synopsis here -

http://www.barrettdorko.com/a_big_mistake.htm

Interestingly, normal, *co-ordinated* muscle tone, is sufficient for maintaining "ideal" posture (if there is such a thing. Rant for another day ;-)

Take home message:

Don't necessarily assume she needs to strengthen her back muscles or stretch her chest muscles. The trick is in the CORRECT co-ordination of flexors and extensors, in MOTION. Apply that as you will. Certainly situations that require a shift from flexion to extension will be useful, IMHO. Eg - Shinbox switch, with chest on knee, leading with crown? Switch sides by emphasizing leading with crown or better yet, imagining one has to lick an ice-cream cone with the tongue. Hell, you could get her to stick her tongue out if she's willing - lots of important things are related to that little sucker ;-)

(2)

According to osteopathic thinking, kyphosis is often influenced by extrinsic, "long muscle restrictors". That is, muscles that run for several vertebra and attach away from the spine. A good lower body example is the psoas muscle. If you take a look at the upper back, you will find several such muscles - parts of the paraspinal group, traps, etc.

Furthermore, kyphosis sometimes include a rotational element. Visually, half of the spinal musculature ( due to TvP's rotation) will appear "bulker" / "tense" / closer to the surface than the other side. (to actually determine which side is doing what is rather complicated, and I'm not sure entirely pertinent to your question).

Take home message:

Be aware that long muscles, anywhere from the pelvis to the skull may be implicated. Look situations which explore connections between skull and mid back, skull and pelvis, midback and pelvis, shoulder girdle and skull, arms and midback. I'm sure you can think of a few good situations - how about a lateral screw up while flexing so that the person looks towards their bellybutton / between legs? The doing it while looking uptoward the sky? How would you vary the legs - tripod position? Use your considerable knowledge to tailor it to her needs.

(3)

Facet joint locking can also play a part in kyphosis. A vertebra can get stuck in either flexed or extended position, unable to change to suit the environment.

Take home message: Spinal 'joint rotations', at levels you feel prudent.

(4)

What role is the stomach playing for her, especially the diaphragm and the obliques? Breathing?

(5)

What role does a standing position play on her kyphosis? A sitting one? A supine and prone one? What is the most comfortable for her to work from? Sometimes that might be quite suprising, so be sure to ask. Eg: Child's Pose.

How can you use this to increase the complexity incrementally? Here's an example going from supine to standing ( supine shoulder work - eg: tank tracks. Sitting shoulder work - eg: shinbox arm screw, long arm roll. standing shoulder work - piston arms). A bad examples, but you get the gist.

(6)

Emotional factors. Why is she "hiding her height"?

Sorry, that's all I can think of off the top of my head. I hope some of it was useful. Please let us know how things progress - I for one am curious!

[Robert V]

Simply excellent!

We are so blessed to have you here.

Thanks!

[bob_stra]

Simply excellent!

We are so blessed to have you here.

Thanks!

*Shrugs*

The same could be said of you ;-)

I'm serious though - do post another msg to let us know how it turns out.