a community of practitioners

Kyphosis

What can you all tell me about what causes kyphosis, and what are some techniques I can use to help? Also, are there any exercises clients can do to help themselves? I have a client with serious muscle tension in her rhomboids and what appears to be lower trap insertion points. The muscles are actually bowed up when she's prone. Is this actually kyphosis? But more importantly what should I do?

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Permalink Reply by Jill Jenks on August 20, 2011 at 6:14pm

Kyphosis, if it exists, should be diagnosed by her primary health care provider. If the muscles are bowed, is it due to hypertonicity or structural deviations. If it is structural, you may be looking at kyphosis or osteoporosis (you did not mention the age of the client).

I have found that most tension in the rhomboids is due to hyperextension caused by pectoral muscles that require stretching. Most things we do, driving, texting, computer work, etc. cause the shoulders to rotate medially and anteriorily and the pectoral muscles contract. While I work the rhomboids, I spend most of my time stretching the pectorals.

I also recommend that my client stretch their pectorals in between sessions. Doorway stretches work best and most clients have shown significant improvement within a short period of time.

As for the lower trap insertion points, check the abdominals along the aponeurosis. Often I find referred pain patterns from abdominals that require stretching.

Hope this helps! Good luck

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Permalink Reply by Therese Schwartz on August 20, 2011 at 9:50pm

Thank you so much! I appreciate your help very much. I already have her doing passive psoas releases by putting her lower legs up on an ottoman with hips and knees at 90 degrees. I suggested she could get two birds with one stone by putting her arms out (palms up) on the floor at a 90 degree angle from her body and letting the pec's stretch. I hadn't thought about the doorway stretches in spite of the fact that I do them myself!

She's 62; I did forget to mention that!

Thanks for the tip on the lower trap insertions. I have another client with the same issue so that will help both of them.

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Permalink Reply by Lucianna Johnston on August 28, 2011 at 11:17am

I like releasing the rhombs and traps with longitudinal friction and cross friction. I think releasing any trigger points in that area would help but I'm most inclined to tell you that regardless of her age or whether or not she has been diagnosed with kyphosis there is a heart opener (yoga posture) that she can do which will be gentle and effective. The heart opener will help release tension out of the chest and counterbalance the effects of kyphosis. A large bolster works the best but this can be done with a foam roller or a large beach towel that has been rolled up like a bolster.

She should sit on the ground (or in bed) and place the bolster lengthwise along her spine. The base of her bolster should press against her sacrum. Once in position she should lie back and allow her arms to rest at her sides with her palms facing up. The higher her arms go the more intense the stretch but her arms should always be resting against the ground with her palms open. Does that make sense?