Lordosis is a condition where the lower back (lumbar) curves inward excessively. This condition is a form of spinal deformity that can affect anyone.
Under normal conditions, everyone's spine is slightly curved in the neck, upper back, and lower back. This serves to assist the body in supporting the head, aligning the head with the pelvis, maintaining body structure, and helping to move and bend easily.
In people with lordosis, the curvature of the lower spine is too deep. This puts extra pressure on the spine, causing pain and discomfort.
Various Causes of Lordosis
Some things that can cause lordosis are:
1. Obesity
Being overweight or obese can affect your posture and put extra stress on your spine. This can increase the risk of lordosis.
2. Osteoporosis
Lordosis caused by osteoporosis is more common in older people. Osteoporosis can make the lower spine porous, making it easier to bend when you're bearing weight.
3. Pregnancy
Just like obesity, weight gain during pregnancy can also affect posture. This condition can cause the lower spine to curve inward more easily. However, lordosis during pregnancy usually goes away on its own after delivery.
4. Spondylolisthesister
Spondylolisthesis is a condition in which the spine shifts from its proper position, causing the bones to become misaligned. This condition can make the lower spine arch more easily.
5. Pbad posture
Poor posture when sitting or when lifting heavy objects can also increase a person's risk of developing lordosis.
In addition, there are other health conditions that can cause lordosis, namely discitis, kyphosis, arthritis, spina bifida, achondroplasia, and osteosarcoma.
Recognizing the Symptoms of Lordosis
The most common symptom of lordosis is the appearance of muscle pain. Muscle pain occurs when your spine bends abnormally, pulling the muscles in different directions and causing them to tense up.
In addition, there are other symptoms that can be felt by people with lordosis, including:
- Limited movement around the neck or lower back
- Buttocks look more prominent
- Body feels weak
- Numb
- tingling
- Lack of control over urination and defecation
Lordosis Treatment Steps
Treatment of lordosis will usually be adjusted according to the severity. Before giving treatment, the doctor will perform the following series of examinations to determine the patient's lordosis condition.
- Question and answer.
- Physical examination.
- Supportive examinations, such as X-rays or MRI of the lumbar spine and sacrum, as well as laboratory tests.
After knowing the diagnosis and severity of lordosis, the doctor will provide several treatment options, including:
- Medicines, to reduce pain and swelling.
- Physiotherapy, to increase muscle strength and exercise the ability to move the body.
- Diet program, to lose weight.
- Surgery, for severe cases of lordosis and accompanied by nerve disorders.
Although most cases of lordosis do not require immediate medical attention, you should not ignore this condition and see a doctor. If you don't get the right treatment, lordosis can cause various complaints that can interfere with your comfort and activities.