Loss Of Lumbar Lordosis/Curve
From the A-P or front to back dimension, our spines should be straight. From the side, our body should have normal curves where the neck and low back curve inward which is called a lordosis and the middle back curves outward called a kyphosis. In some cases, when we have a loss or excess of these curves it can sometimes create a curve in the front to back dimension.
A straightening, reversal or excess of these curves can:
- Decrease strength and flexibility
- Possibly cause pain
- Cause disc degeneration to occur much faster in the low back
- Occasionally cause numbness or tingling in the legs or feet
- Create tension on the spinal cord pinching nerves
- Sometimes begin to affect digestion
- Affect function of bowel or bladder
- Develop over time or can be present from birth
Loss of lumbar lordosis/curvature or an excess of lumbar lordosis known as “swayback” can cause any of the above symptoms.