For the Elderly, Physical Therapy Can Help Straighten a Hunched Back

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A hunched back affects four out of 10 people over age 65. This extreme forward curvature of the upper back, called hyperkyphosis, increases disability and the risk of falls and fractures, but it’s rarely deemed a treatable condition among older people.

A new study by UC San Francisco researchers shows that targeted physical therapy can help straighten the spine and boost a patient’s self-esteem.

“Currently, there are some medical providers who say there’s nothing you can do about it – there’s no treatment,” said Wendy Katzman, PT, DPTSc, adjunct professor of physical therapy and lead author of the study published July 8, 2017, in Osteoporosis International. “This is a novel treatment approach for older people who have this condition. There’s really been no standard of care to treat this until now.”

Historically, hyperkyphosis, which usually progresses with age and is more common in women, has not been seen as a discrete health concern. And although osteoporosis – a condition often associated with hyperkyphosis – is often treated with medication, no medications have been shown to improve hyperkyphosis. Surgery can reduce spinal curvature, but is only considered in extreme cases.

Improving Posture and Well-Being

The study enrolled 99 hyperkyphosis patients over 60 years old to explore if physical therapy is a viable solution for improving hyperkyphosis They had an average upper back curvature, as measured by X-ray, of 57 degrees – well above the average curve of 40 degrees, which is the cutoff for defining hyperkyphosis. The participants were randomly assigned to one of two groups.

Wendy Katzman, PT, DPTScOne group performed exercises known to target muscle weakness, decreased spinal movement and poor postural alignment with a licensed physical therapist and assistant for one hour, three days a week, for six months. They were also advised to practice ideal posture independently at least three times a day. Katzman and her team compared these patients with those in the ...

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