Lordosis
The spine has four natural curves. Two are lordotic (lor-dot-ick) and two are
kyphotic (kye-fah-tick). The cervical and lumbar curves are lordotic. The thoracic
(thor-as-ick) and sacral (say-kral) curves are kyphotic. The curves help to
distribute mechanical stress as the body moves.
Normal Spinal Column
Lordosis
Lordosis (lor-doe-sis) is the normal contour of the neck and lower back. Excessive lordosis may cause an extreme inward curve in the lower back. This condition is also called swayback.
This article is an excerpt from a book titled Save Your Aching Back and Neck, A Patient's Guide (Second Edition, May 2002, completely revised).
Posted on: December 30th, 2002
Last Updated on: February 1st, 2010
Last Updated on: February 1st, 2010
