Expert: Gerald Anzalone, D.C. - 1/24/2008

Question
I would like to know what teatments can improve the right thoracic hump and right lumbar hump eg(doing sit and reach will it improve the situation) and also what is theoracic hump and lumbar hump. Hope to hear your reply soon. Thanks!

Answer
Jeslynn,

Thank you for your question. I'm not really sure what you mean by a right thoracic and lumbar hump... those are not standard medical terms.

My best guess is that someone who has used those terms is referring to a scoliosis, the abnormal deviation of the spine to the side.

If this is the case, the answer is that scoliosis is believed to be caused by a genetic mutation and it not correctable by manual therapy. Most people with mild scoliosis demonstrate a deviation of the thoracic spine or the lumbar spine on an x-ray, but the abnormal curvature usually does not progress beyond a certain point. Sometimes, a mild scoliosis may cause joint pain and muscle pain, and individuals suffering from those symptoms may benefit from manual therapy such as chiropractic and massage therapy.

However, in other individuals, when the scoliosis is severe, it must be monitored by periodic x-rays, because there is a concern of compression of the internal organs as the scoliosis worsens. Typically, those individuals undergo surgery with rods placed in the spine to halt the abnormal curvature.

I hope that this has answered your question.