Prevention of Kyphosis

Kyphosis is an abnormal outward curvature of the spine. A common term used to describe kyphosis is "hunchbacked," because the condition makes the shoulders hunch forward. There are multiple causes of kyphosis; some are preventable and some are not. Some of the nonpreventable causes of kyphosis are congenital deformities, arthritis, birth defects, endocrine disorders, and certain diseases. Kyphosis that is caused by posture and osteoporosis can be prevented through certain lifestyle practices. According to the Children's Hospital, "postural kyphosis is the most common form" of kyphosis, meaning that most kyphosis cases could have been prevented.

Posture

• Maintain good posture at all times to prevent posture-related kyphosis. When sitting and standing, keep your back straight, your shoulders back, your chin up, and your head straight. A person who is not used to sitting and standing with good posture, may have difficulty doing so. This is because different muscles are used to hold the body in good posture. If you find that you cannot maintain good posture, see a physical therapist, who will use physical therapy to help you build the proper muscles needed for good posture.

Bone Density Test

• Have a bone density test to find out if you have osteopenia or osteoporosis so that you can practice extra precautions against osteoporosis-related kyphosis. If you have osteoporosis, your doctor may prescribe an osteoporosis medication to help your body build bone mass.

Exercise

• Do weight-bearing exercises to build bone mass. Good examples of weight bearing exercises are walking, aerobics, dancing, and lifting free weights. Always get approval from your doctor before beginning an exercise program.

Diet and Supplements

• Eat a diet rich in calcium and vitamin D to keep your bones strong. Good foods to eat are milk, cheese, broccoli, and vitamin D-fortified cereals. Talk to a nutritionist or your doctor for additional advice and tips on a kyphosis-prevention diet. You can also take calcium and vitamin D supplements if you are worried that your diet is lacking. If you do decide to take supplements, talk to your doctor first to make sure that the supplements do not cause you to get too much calcium and vitamin D in your diet.

Quit Smoking

• Quit smoking, if applicable. Smoking reduces the body's ability to absorb and use calcium. You can use an over-the-counter nicotine replacement program to help reduce cravings when quitting smoking, or you can ask your doctor for a prescription medication to help you quit smoking.

Hormone Replacement Therapy

• Talk to your doctor about the benefits of hormone replacement therapy (HRT) if you are a menopausal woman. HRT reduces the likelihood of osteoporosis. It must be noted that while HRT is good for osteoporosis prevention, it increases a woman's risk of having a stroke and developing certain types of cancer. Your doctor will weigh the risks and benefits of HRT, considering your particular health history, before deciding if HRT is right for you.