What causes that stoop in old folk where their head and neck are permanently bent forward?
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Osteoporosis. With osteoporosis, the bones become so brittle that compression fractures can happen in the vertebral bodies of the spinal column. So the vertebral bodies lose height. But this loss of height is not always equal across the entire vertebra. Instead, the front part of the vertebrae often compresses more than the back part, creating a wedge-shaped bone. Stack a bunch of wedge-shaped bones on top of each other, and you have a curve. This is what is causing the kyphosis.
Great. I’ve been having back issues for the last 10 years and just found out that I have arthritis, compressed disks, and bone spurs. All at age 41 (thanks, Marine Corps). After reading this post I’ve learned that I’m going to be a crotchety old hunchback in a few years.
Hopefully it can be countered by staying active and working out to strengthen my back.
I have a question! Why do old people’s eyes cave into there faces?
From personal experience (55m). You kind of get stuck in whatever position you’re in if you don’t move for a few minutes. So if sitting or bending over and then you stand up you’ll be super stiff or even in pain if you try to straighten up. If you don’t make a conscience effort you might give into it and stay that way.
For me as a teenager I had really poor posture and in my early 20’s just decided I didn’t like it so I somehow managed to keep it in my mind all the time to stand up straight. This still sticks with me so I fight through the stiffness every time.
Also, I refuse to waddle when I walk. Finally in my 50’s I feel good, in good shape, confident and look good. FML. Nah jk I’m pretty happy.
Just one person’s anecdotal experience.
Old timer here: I keep a pair of two-pound barbells in my recliner and use them at least once an hour for every hour I sit in that chair. This approach is based on research done at Mayo Clinic that is referred to as “fidget exercise.” I can get my heart rate up in no time, and I keep it up for at least a minute. If I do it two minutes an hour, 12 times a day, my heart rate gets where it needs to be, my muscles stay tight, and I work up a sweat. Follow it up with pressing and stretching my spine into the back of the chair, and I’m relaxed and strong.
I have ankylosing spondylitis which has fused my spine and neck, I have a stoop not as pronounced as others but you can see it. Othersi presume have similar back issues.
Dunno if anyone said it yet there are a lot of comments, but compression fractures did it in two of my older family members. Just years of basically sitting in the same spot lets the protection between discs in your spine deteriorate, making it less painful to hunch and it just gets worse over time
Your anterior muscles are stronger than your posterior muscles
It’s know as kyphosis or upper cross syndrome
So those muscles over time become shortened due to many things, mostly due to posture
Stretch your front muscles and strengthen your back muscles to help keep proper range of motion
Not enough stretching and chiropractic work…Mostly just the flexibility, yoga is great for this.
Remember to sit shoulders back, stand and walk shoulders back , stomach in , basically just good posture for starters when you are young.
If you get in the habit of slouching with shoulders rolled forward, eventually as you age, that will be your permanent posture.
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