The first thing we are going to do in order to know the meaning of the term lordosis is to discover its etymological origin. In this case, we have to establish that it derives from the Latin “lordosis”. This word is, in turn, derived from Greek, specifically from the sum of two very different lexical components:
-The word “lordos”, which means “to bend”.
-The suffix “-osis”, which is used to form nouns and which indicates what the “pathological process” or “action” is.
This is the name given to the atypical curvature of the spine that involves a displacement of the lumbar area forward .
While the Royal Spanish Academy ( RAE ), in its dictionary, emphasizes the abnormality of said curvature, in other sources it is considered that lordosis is physiological and not pathological. That is why there is a tendency to affirm that a certain degree of lordosis is normal, although an excessive curvature is not.
In this framework there are those who distinguish between lordosis and hyperlordosis . In any case, a marked lordosis implies the formation of a gap below the lumbar area, making the buttocks protrude more prominently .
There are children who have a marked lordosis that is corrected naturally over the years. Lordosis can also occur when a vertebra is not in the proper position , whether due to a congenital problem, as a result of physical activity, or for another reason.
Generally speaking, lordosis does not require treatment, as long as the back retains its flexibility. This is because it does not usually progress or cause symptoms. However, when the curvature is too exaggerated, a medical consultation is needed. The professional may order an MRI or x-ray to analyze the situation and determine next steps.
It is important to establish that there are people who have to deal with certain symptoms due to the lordosis they suffer from. Specifically, some of the most significant include pain in the back area as well as tingling or numbness in the legs and arms.
Among the habits that are considered to cause lordosis are lack of physical exercise, poor posture when sitting and even walking, obesity and excessive sports practice. However, in the same way, it is considered that stress, age, depression and even sadness may be behind this situation.
Treatment for lordosis depends on the cause of the problem and the extent of the disorder. When it is due to poor posture, it can be treated with exercises .
In the same way, we cannot ignore that we specifically talk about what is known as cervical lordosis. This, as its name indicates, consists of a person losing what is the normal curvature of the cervical area. It is usually treated with different exercises, although the doctor may consider other measures as treatment.