<p>S2 has lordosis - inherited from his father. He is 15 and concerned about it, and he would like to “cure” it. I always thought that it was a structural condition and not treatable. But I’ve been looking on the internet and there’s a bewildering array of information on methods of treating it, including exercises, Alexander technique, etc. I wondered if anyone here had information on this.</p>
<p>Has he seen a pediatric orthopedist, and so forth? What did his own pediatrician say? Did his father suffer health problems from the curvature? Certain kinds of apparently structural curvatures are reversible, but not many. The segments affected also determine how/if to intervene.</p>
<p>P.S. I just wanted to add that you shouldn’t reply in this public forum, but instead run these questions through with your family, and then seek out advice from your PCP.</p>
<p>I have some lordosis and kyphosis that I have improved (not cured) through Pilates. It is a journey -not something that will go away quickly. From what I understand some of it might be structural (osteoporosis of the spine, fractures , disc problems, etc… . Often though it is functional. He has patterns of walking, or standing or sitting that have led to some muscles being tighter or shorter and some being weaker that have made this happen.
I would ask his doctor about some recommendations. </p>
<p>Pilates is amazing if you do it in a studio with a trained instructor (not in a gym). Insurance will not cover it . It would take a while to see results. Of course you would want to OK this with your doctor.
I should add that I am a Pilates teacher - and biased. I am happy to answer any questions if I can</p>
<p>Thank you for the responses. I am going to call his pediatrician tomorrow for a referral, if he thinks we should see someone. My husband does have some problems that we think stem from his lower back (no diagnosis in 13 years, despite seeing top doctors in Boston and NY), but I’m not sure whether his lordosis is part of the problem. His is quite a bit more obvious than S2’s.</p>
<p>S2 has become very interested in exercise lately. He is very disciplined and does some exercises every day. He’s learning them from the internet, and I would like him to have some training from a physical therapist, personal trainer, Alexander technique teacher, etc.</p>
<p>veruca, I am a believer in Pilates. I took mat classes at a local studio for several years. The owner, who had trained in NY with someone “descended from” Joseph Pilates, is incredibly good. I know that Pilates in a gym is not the same. I hadn’t thought of her, but she would be a great person to teach him. I wish I hadn’t stopped a few years ago. Just one class a week made a huge difference.</p>
<p>Yes -in pilates it is very much a 6 degrees from Joe kind of game. Where you try to train with someone who was trained by someone who worked with Joe Pilates. There are only two living Pilates teachers that trained with him left now. 2 died recently. Anyway I digress
Lordosis is usually related to short tight lower back and weak abdominal muscles. There is usually a forward pelvic tilt. I am sure whoever you take him to will give him some “homework” and it sounds like he is disciplined enough to do it.
Beware of anyone who offers a quick fix -but you probably know that already. </p>
<p>Good luck to your son</p>
<p>There are so many degrees of curvature … along with pilates, very few people work the “posterior chain”, which is the general label for the muscles that run along the back half of your body. That includes the various muscles of the back, through the flutes and into the legs. Nearly all athletic and weight training focuses on the posterior chain. </p>
<p>I highly recommend working with a trainer for at least a little while to learn some of what to do and how to do it right. Remember, most training is remedial. I’m talking goblet squats & lunges, rows (which most people do badly), etc. My particular favorite is deadlifting because you learn how to pick up heavy weight through engaging your entire posterior chain - and this is almost never done correctly without instruction. All these moves build the posterior chain and your real core and they require and develop hip flexibility. </p>
<p>Actual strength comes from the posterior chain. When you see guys who stand up really straight, that’s where they’re strong, whether that comes from pilates or dance or weight training (or all of those). </p>
<p>Thanks, lergnom, that’s very interesting. I did ballet for years, and I’m thinking now of what I used to do in terms of the “posterior chain.” The back of the legs and the glutes were certainly worked (think of plies), and even standing still required engagement of much of the body - sort of pulling up through the legs and pelvic floor (Kegel-like engagement was where ballon came from, I think) and of course the back was always engaged. </p>