Tamannaah Bhatia’s anarkali, Namrata Shirodkar's jacket look, Manish Malhotra in black: Who wore what at Hyderabad event Updated on: Aug 30, 2026, 13:22:55 IST By Akanksha Agnihotri Prefer HTon Google Share via Copy link Tamannaah Bhatia, Manish Malhotra
North Korea's Defence Minister has been dismissed as part of a reshuffle of the country's military leadership, state media reported on Sunday (August 30, 2026). The "structural reorganization plans" were decided during a meeting on Saturday (August 29) led by Kim Jong Un
Woman shares reality of never-ending expenses after moving into a flat: ‘They just keep piling up’A woman shared how unexpected household expenses kept piling up after she moved into a rented flat. Published on: Aug 30, 2026, 12:46:57 IST By Mahipal Singh Chouhan Prefer HTon Google Share via
Tom Cruise, Abhishek Bachchan, Tara Sutaria, Tom Holland: 9 celebs who opened up about their learning disabilities Published on: Aug 30, 2026, 13:05:55 IST By Sanya Panwar Prefer HTon Google Share via Copy link Tom Cruise and Tara Sutaria, as well as celebs such as Tom Holland
‘I worked over the weekends’: Employee seeks advice after HR questions them for being 15 minutes lateAn employee has turned to Reddit for advice after being questioned by HR over 15-minute delays at work. Updated on: Aug 30, 2026, 13:29:43 IST By Vaishali Kapila Prefer HTon Google Share via
Even as AI firms expand model capabilities, frontier labs continue to navigate a legal reckoning sparked by the first wave of copyright lawsuits that threatened to derail the generative AI boom. The argument from artists has been that AI output that looks like a specific piece of art is because
On the morning of August 29, more than 5,000 people of Indian-origin trickled into New York’s Madison Square Garden to see one man take the stage: Mohan Bhagwat, the chief of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh, the ideological parent of India’s ruling Bharatiya Janata Party
NEET PG exam rescheduled for nearly 300 candidates over power outage in JaipurThe NEET PG examination for all candidates allotted to the particular centre will now be conducted on September 5. Updated on: Aug 30, 2026, 14:06:58 IST ANI Prefer HTon Google Share via Copy link The NEET-PG examination
How changes in the natural curves of the spine can lead to health problems
Over 60% of us will suffer from lower back pain at some point in our lives. Without question, it's the leading cause of disability across the globe.
Your spine is comprised of 33 bones known as vertebrae, which are stacked one on top of the other. The resulting column is divided into five segments: cervical (in the neck), thoracic (at the same level as the chest), lumbar (at the level of the abdomen) and sacral (connecting with the pelvis). The fifth, the coccyx, is located at the very bottom of the spine (the tailbone) – and is very painful when injured.
The vertebrae are connected by multiple joints, including discs which allow the spine to move in multiple directions. Though we might think the spine should appear straight, it naturally curves forward and backwards so it can perform all of its important functions.
But many conditions can cause the spine to curve more than it should. This can not only lead to pain, but potentially a whole host of other health troubles too.
The spine also supports the weight of the body, protects the spinal cord and helps the body to bend, flex and twist. The thoracic region attaches to the ribs and naturally curves backwards – this curve is known as the thoracic kyphosis.
But sometimes, the curve of the thoracic kyphosis becomes more accentuated and visible – often as a result of osteoporosis (where bones become weaker), age-related changes to the back muscles and vertebrae, or long-term poor posture.
The medical name for this condition is hyperkyphosis, though it's sometimes referred to as “dowagers hump” as it's around two to four times more common in women.
A stooped posture with rounded shoulders (or “hunchback” appearance) is typically a sign of hyperkyphosis. In some cases, it may become so extreme as to impact breathing since the chest can't inflate properly. It can also affect swallowing since the neck becomes more horizontal and the gullet potentially narrowed.
And of course pain and stiffness typically arise. This is a common theme for most patients with abnormal curvature of the spine, as the vertebrae lose their ability to move, and nerves arising from the spinal cord can become compressed.
Another type of deformity that can occur in the spinal column affects not only how it bends forward and backwards, but also side-to-side.
Scoliosis occurs when the vertebrae either curve sideways, rotate in relation to each other, or collapse. This produces a variety of different deformities, ranging in size and severity.
The underlying causes of scoliosis are widespread. Sometimes bones can become deformed as a result of trauma, cancer or an infection (such as tuberculosis). Scoliosis can also be present from birth, or arise from neurological disorders in early years – such as cerebral palsy.
As well as back pain, patients may also notice postural signs as scoliosis evolves. Their shoulder blades or ribcage can stick out more, and clothes may fit differently on their body.
Individual vertebrae in any part of the spine can sometimes also become displaced as a result of trauma, wear and tear, or certain health conditions (such as osteoporosis). This means that instead of standing in a regular stack, a vertebra slips forward, and out of line. This condition is given the long and practically unpronounceable name, spondylolisthesis.
In doing so, this displacement can trigger nerve compression. If the sciatic nerve – the largest in the human body – gets compressed, it can lead to symptoms of sciatica. These are namely pain, pins and needles, or numbness in the back of the leg or buttock.
The vertebrae in the lower back can sometimes also fuse abnormally together. A condition called ankylosing spondylitis can trigger inflammation in the spinal joints and discs, which then harden over time. Another name for the condition is bamboo spine, since the now rigid and inflexible column resembles a tough stalk of bamboo.
Managing these conditions – and the pain they cause – will depend largely on the size of the deformity and what has caused it in the first place. Even a small spinal deformity can be significant.
For scoliosis for instance, braces to correct the spine as it grows may work to manage small defects in younger patients. But corrective surgery is often required to fix larger deformities and those which don't respond to bracing.
Taking account of posture and bone health can also help prevent developing a spinal problem later in life. Using exercise to build a strong back and shoulders and avoiding slouching are solid measures, too. Managing associated conditions such osteoporosis with diet, medication and resistance training can also help.
Surgical intervention may be required in other situations – for instance, to decompress nerves that have become trapped or squashed.
Your spine is truly an architectural wonder. It's far from a straight and rigid column – and capable of more than you'd ever expect. But this unique structure can lend itself to problems, especially when natural curves become deformities. The age-old adage “strengthen your back, strengthen your life” is a motto we should all be regularly reminded of, and to seek medical advice accordingly should back pain arise.
Dan Baumgardt is Senior Lecturer, School of Psychology and Neuroscience, University of Bristol.
This article was first published on The Conversation.
Source: Scroll
Related Posts: Politicians get rich while we suffer - so I helped bring down our government in 48 hours Oncologist explains when everyday back pain may actually point to lung cancer How our understanding of pain has evolved over centuries Trump’s policies… cutting our nose to spite our face Essential that we frame our own rules adhering to our necessities Blame Our Love of Booze on Our Primate Ancestors China has found Trump's pain point - rare earths Pain medicine physician reveals 7 natural relief options to manage chronic pain Serena Williams-Carlos Alcaraz Suffer Defeat In Mixed Doubles Quarter-Finals Of US Open India women suffer series whitewash after 185-run defeat against Australia in 3rd ODI
A fever during the monsoon can be easy to brush off. But with mosquito-borne infections still circulating, when is it safer to stop waiting and get tested? Gujarat has reported a significant decline in mosquito-borne diseases this year, with malaria cases falling 45%, dengue by 39
40 minutes ago
Karnataka Governor Thaawarchand Gehlot accepted Minister B Nagendra's resignation. This resignation followed allegations in an Rs 89 crore corporation scam. Nagendra stated he resigned voluntarily to protect the party and government. The opposition BJP-JD(S) had intensified criticism and protests
39 minutes ago
In latest show of ‘car diplomacy’, PM Modi seen sharing a ride with Uzbekistan PresidentPM Modi and President Mirziyoyev were seen traveling together by car from the airport to the presidential palace, where they then held a dinner meeting. Updated on: Aug 30, 2026
39 minutes ago
Addressing concerns about compressed biogas (CBG) becoming increasingly expensive with the revised offtake price, the Union Petroleum Ministry assured the pricing cushioned with government-funded support and stacking with a substantially wider gas pool would avert any material price impact
39 minutes ago
JU political graffiti whitewashed after CM Adhikari’s remarks on campus politicsCPI(M) leader Bikash Ranjan Bhattacharya, a former Kolkata mayor, criticised the move saying campuses encourage free thinking Published on: Aug 30, 2026, 14:01:11 IST By HT Correspondent
38 minutes ago
Manoj Jarange Patil began his hunger strike seeking OBC caste certificates for Marathas. He demands the disbanding of the Caste Verification Committee and threatens to protest in Mumbai. Jarange Patil wants Marathas to receive Kunbi caste certificates based on historical records
6 hours ago
Bank Holiday Next Week: While digital banking services such as internet banking, mobile banking, UPI and ATM services will continue to remain available, physical bank branches of SBI, HDFC Bank, ICICI Bank and other lenders will remain closed on the applicable dates and in the applicable cities
6 hours ago
Delhi man kills schizophrenic son, lured him to shipping container on pretext of doctor visitPolice said the accused first smashed the victim’s head with a stone and then strangled him. Updated on: Aug 30, 2026, 06:43:07 IST By Karn Pratap Singh Prefer HTon Google Share via Copy link A
6 hours ago
Opposition leader Rahul Gandhi on Saturday demanded the registration of a first information report against those who carried out a “purification” ritual at a ground in Uttarakhand, where Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge had held a rally earlier this month
6 hours ago
HDFC Bank CEO Sashidhar Jagdishan not seeking reappointment, to retire in October: ReportThe bank's board will fast-track the selection and appointment of Jagdishan's successor as MD and CEO, and complete the process “well within time”. Updated on: Aug 29, 2026
6 hours ago
‘Good work is appreciated with more work’: Man warns employees about workplace ‘trap’A man warned that being too efficient at work could become a trap and urged employees to set clear boundaries. Published on: Aug 30, 2026, 06:36:52 IST By Mahipal Singh Chouhan Prefer HTon Google Share via
6 hours ago
MicahJo Barnett parents: Who are Michelle Barnett and Felix Lora? Inside William Jewell RB's family after tragic deathWilliam Jewell College running back MicahJo Barnett died after suffering a medical emergency during the Cardinals’ season opener against Fort Lewis. Updated on: Aug 30, 2026
6 hours ago
Filip Hrgovic ripped up the script and shattered Moses Itauma's world-title dream as the Briton appeared to punch himself out in an extraordinary heavyweight contest in London. Itauma, 21, controlled most of the fight and scored a second-round knockdown but faded as his relentless output caught up
6 hours ago
Pharma industry stares down biggest patent cliff in decadesMore than $500 billion in projected annual drug sales face patent expirations in the coming years. Published on: Aug 29, 2026, 20:31:02 IST WSJ Prefer HTon Google Share via Copy link More than $500 billion in projected annual drug sales
6 hours ago
Manchester City have opened talks with Liverpool about signing attacker Cody Gakpo. The Netherlands forward's future is set to become one of the key storylines heading into the final three days of the transfer window. The 27-year-old has attracted concrete interest from City and Tottenham Hotspur
6 hours ago
China censors Tibet flood reports, viral video pulled down, foreign media restrictedReports from official Chinese outlets reportedly focused on rescue operations, with limited information about the scale of the damage caused by the floods. Updated on: Aug 30, 2026
6 hours ago
![New Delhi, [India] August 29 (ANI): The UAE's Telecommunications and Digital Government Regulatory Authority (TDRA) has granted Starlink Satellite](http://newsorbit360.com/files/news/en/imgs/uae-regulator-grants-starlink-10-year-licence-to-provide-satellite-int.jpg?height=520)
New Delhi, [India] August 29 (ANI): The UAE's Telecommunications and Digital Government Regulatory Authority (TDRA) has granted Starlink Satellite Communications LLC a 10-year General Space Services Licence to establish, operate and manage a public satellite communications network and provide
6 hours ago
The Early Spring review: Jing Boran and Sun Qian turn a risky and complicated office romance into addictive televisionThe Early Spring review: This C-drama aired on August 26 and within ten episodes, it has taken the internet by storm with its mature workplace storytelling. Updated on: Aug 30
6 hours ago
Subhash Ghai recalls ‘hatha paai’ with Salman Khan before Yuvvraaj, says he abused him: ‘Salim Khan said apologise’Before working on Yuvvraaj, Salman Khan and Subhash Ghai had a confrontation that escalated to a physical altercation, prompting Salim Khan to mediate. Updated on: Aug 30
6 hours ago
Just Like That: 50 years on, why Mukesh’s voice still still resonates todayFifty years after his death, legendary singer Mukesh’s soulful voice, timeless songs and emotional depth continue to resonate with generations of listeners. Published on: Aug 30, 2026
6 hours ago
The Delhi-NCR CNG price rises by Rs 3.89 per kg from August 29. Check new CNG rates in Delhi, Noida, Ghaziabad, Greater Noida and Gurugram. CNG prices in Delhi-NCR have increased by Rs 3.89 per kg from 6 am on Saturday, August 29, putting higher fuel costs on car owners and commercial drivers
6 hours ago
Woman opens up about the ‘6 to 10 shift’ after office hours: ‘When will I take out time for myself?’A woman shared how responsibilities after work had left her with little time to focus on her own growth. Published on: Aug 30, 2026, 07:21:41 IST By Mahipal Singh Chouhan Prefer HTon Google
6 hours ago
West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari on Friday asked newspaper Anandabazar Patrika to apologise for using the phrase “saffron hooliganism” in its headline to describe the August 20 clash between student groups at Jadavpur University. “I will ask a news outlet in West Bengal to do
6 hours ago
Across the globe in Australia, a toddler with speech delays delighted her family with her first word - "orange" - after she and her twin sister received a free book in the post about colours. It came from Imagination Library, the literacy programme begun by late global superstar Dolly Parton
6 hours ago
The US government plans a 35% passive stake in Alejandro Betancourt's energy company. It also seeks preferential rights to purchase 20% of production at cost. This investment is structured through penny warrants for equity without significant capital outlay
6 hours ago
Former Odisha CM Naveen Patnaik has appealed to BJP MPs from the state. He urged them to demand the reversal of the recently passed mining bill. Patnaik stated the legislation would cause significant financial losses for Odisha. He also mentioned the bill takes away control over the state's mineral
6 hours ago
Here is important news for State Bank of India (SBI) account holders. If you have an account with the State Bank, you should be aware of this update, as it will impact your finances starting October 1st. SBI has made significant changes to its transaction charge policies—specifically regarding
6 hours ago
