How does lordosis affect the lower back?

Eric Olsen

Fitness

One of the most common causes of low-back pain results from lordosis, or swayback -- extreme inward curvature of the lower back. Excessive lordosis can affect the lower back in several ways: It can increase the risk of muscle fatigue and spasms. It can put added pressure on the disks, increasing the risk of microtears (imagine pressing your hand straight down on a jelly-filled donut; it can absorb that pressure evenly throughout, but if you press harder on one edge, the jelly is more likely to squirt out the other side). And excessive lordosis can cause inflammation of the facet joints of the vertebrae.

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Lifefit: An Effective Exercise Program for Optimal Health and a Longer Life

An easy-to-follow programme for lengthening and improving lives. More than an exercise guide, this text is an effective tool for making meaningful lifestyle decisions to benefit long-term fitness. In...

National Academy of Sports Medicine

Excessive curve of the low back can create low back pain, increase wear and tear on the intervertebral discs of the low back and cause weakness and tightness of the abdomen, hip flexors, and hip extensors. Excessive low back curve is one of the biggest contributors to low back injuries in the US. Because of the excessive curvature the discs are placed in a strained position and the core, hip extensor muscles become weak, and the hip flexors and back extensor muscles become excessively tight. As a result the body cannot properly stabilize the spine. To eliminate excessive lordotic curvature, the NASM recommends strengthening the core muscles, the hip extensor muscles, and stretching the hip flexor muscles.

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Important: This content reflects information from various individuals and organizations and may offer alternative or opposing points of view. It should not be used for medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. As always, you should consult with your healthcare provider about your specific health needs.

Back Pain

Just about everyone has experienced some level of back pain. It is one of the most common ailments brought on by disease, injury, or misalignment of the spine. It can be a dull muscle ache in the lower back or a severe, sharp pain that affects your ability to bend over or stand up straight. Most often back pain results from strained muscles and ligaments that surround the spine, but it can also be caused by structural problems with the bones of the spine. There are treatment options for back pain, and understanding the causes and symptoms is key to preventing it in the first place.

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