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You can turn back the clock on back curvature
2009-10-22 |
In photos taken in your 20s and 30s, your shoulders are back, your head‘s held high, and your back‘s as straight as a rod. (Just like your mother always taught you!)
But as you‘ve gotten older, things may have changed. Your back‘s not as straight as it used to be. You may have even developed a curve in your back known as a dowager‘s hump.
This kind of curvature of the upper spine -- called hyperkyphosis -- is all too common among women over 60. Though men get it too, a dowager‘s hump mostly occurs in women with a history of osteoporosis or arthritis.
Hyperkyphosis develops slowly over time as the vertebrae in the spine weaken. This makes it almost impossible for you to stand up straight. As a result, you can lose up to a foot of your height. Plus, the condition is often painful. Worst of all, for anyone who‘s supposed to be enjoying their "golden" years, this condition can wreak havoc on your self-esteem.
Most people (even doctors!) think that once you develop the hump, there‘s nothing left to do but accept your fate. At best, you can try to slow the progression of the curvature.
But that‘s simply not true. A new study out shows that you can significantly improve this condition by making one simple change to your exercise routine.
New hope for lost causes...
A team of scientists from UCLA recruited 118 men and women ages 60 or over with moderate hyperkyphosis.
Though, when looking at the details of the study, I‘d call it more than just "moderate" hyperkyphosis. Each of these men and women had curvature of the spine of at least 40 degrees or more.
But despite their disability, each of the men and women remained in overall good health. No one had other serious ailments. They were all able to stand up independently. And none of them used a medical device, such as a cane or walker, to help them get around.
But these men and women did experience pain. And about 60 percent of them said they experienced frequent or daily pain.
So what did the UCLA scientists propose to do with these patients?
Send them to yoga class, of course!
Yoga: Not just for suburban moms and celebrities
Scientists separated the patients into two groups. One group took a yoga class three days a week for six months. The other group attended an informational luncheon once a month during the study period.
Well, how did the two groups compare after six months?
You guessed it. The yoga group improved quite a bit.
In fact, they decreased their spinal curvature by about 5 percent after just six months. On the other hand, the seminar group increased their spinal curvature after six months.
In addition, the yoga group experienced less upper back pain and less insomnia. They also stood up more quickly from a seated position. Plus, they showed small improvements in their overall height.
Turning back the clock on back problems
Yes, I know. A five percent improvement isn‘t a total cure. But remember, hyperkyphosis takes a lifetime to develop. And these women improved their posture in just six months, instead of experiencing a decline. Plus, their pain improved as well as their mobility.
Indeed, that‘s medically remarkable!
In my book, it‘s like these women turned back the clock 5 to 10 years just by taking a yoga class. Imagine how they‘d feel after taking yoga for several years.
In closing, remember this: the human body is an amazingly resilient machine. Even a condition like hyperkyphosis -- once thought a lost cause -- can improve with the right tools!
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