What Is Postural Kyphosis? Postural kyphosis (kye-FOH-sis) is a rounding or hunching of the back that usually affects teens. What Are the Signs & Symptoms of Postural Kyphosis? Teens with postural kyphosis have a smooth, round shape of the upper back. It can look like a hunched back. It usually isn't painful. Unlike with other types of kyphosis, someone with postural kyphosis can straighten the spine when asked to stand up straight. What Causes Postural Kyphosis? Postural kyphosis happens when someone slouches a lot. This "bad" posture makes the back muscles and the bones in the spine get used to that position. After a while, the back stays in a rounded or hunched shape. Who Gets Postural Kyphosis? Postural kyphosis is most common in teenage girls, though boys can get it too. How Is Postural Kyphosis Diagnosed? A doctor will examine the spine while the child: bends forward from the waist is lying down flat X-rays of the spine sometimes can help confirm the diagnosis. Pulmonary (lung) function tests can help if the doctor is concerned that the kyphosis is affecting breathing. The doctor might order an MRI scan of the back if he or she thinks something else could be causing the problem, such as an infection or tumor. But these types of tests are rarely needed for postural kyphosis. How Is Postural Kyphosis Treated? Physical therapy can help to improve posture. Exercises can strengthen the back muscles to help them better support the spine. Sleeping on a firm bed can help some people too. Sometime the doctor will refer kids to an orthopedist (a doctor who treats conditions involving the bones). The orthopedist will examine the spine to see the cause and extent of the kyphosis and then recommend treatment. Looking Ahead Postural kyphosis doesn't get worse, especially after a teen is done growing. Learning better posture and strengthening the back muscles will prevent problems with posture later in life. If you notice your child has a rounded back and a hunched posture, talk to your doctor. Back to Articles Related Articles Cervical Kyphosis Cervical kyphosis is a curve at the top of the spine (backbone). Usually, the condition isn't serious, but a pinch in the spinal cord can cause nerve damage. Read More Congenital Kyphosis Kyphosis is a rounding of the back that some children are born with. It makes the back look hunched over. Read More Kyphosis Everyone's spine is slightly rounded forward at a gentle angle. If this angle is too pronounced, more than 50 degrees or so, it's called kyphosis, also known as roundback or hunchback. Read More Kyphosis Your spine, or backbone, normally curves forward gently as it runs up your back. Sometimes, though, someone's back can be rounded too far forward, which is a condition known as kyphosis. Read More Kyphosis Factsheet (for Schools) What teachers should know about this curvature of the spine, and how to help students with kyphosis do their best in school. Read More Scheuermann's Kyphosis Scheuermann's kyphosis is a condition affecting the upper back that makes it rounded so it looks hunched over. Read More Idiopathic Scoliosis Kids of any age can have idiopathic scoliosis, but it's usually found when a child begins going through puberty. Find out more about the signs of and treatment for idiopathic scoliosis. Read More Scoliosis Scoliosis makes a person’s spine curve from side to side. Large curves can cause health problems like pain or breathing trouble. Health care providers treat scoliosis with back braces or surgery when needed. Read More Scoliosis Scoliosis makes a person’s spine curve from side to side. Large curves can cause health problems like pain or breathing trouble. Health care providers treat scoliosis with back braces or surgery when needed. Read More Scoliosis: Bracing Some teens with scoliosis wear a brace to help stop their curve from getting worse as they grow. Find out more about how scoliosis braces work and how long people wear them in this article for teens. Read More Scoliosis: Bracing Some kids with scoliosis wear a brace to help stop their curve from getting worse as they grow. Find out more about the different types of scoliosis braces. Read More Note: All information is for educational purposes only. For specific medical advice, diagnoses, and treatment, consult your doctor. © 1995-2021 KidsHealth®. All rights reserved. Images provided by The Nemours Foundation, iStock, Getty Images, Veer, Shutterstock, and Clipart.com.