Does Kyphosis Cause Lower Back Pain

Kyphosis is a natural forward curve in the upper spine, but when that curve becomes exaggerated, it can change the way the entire body moves. In this episode, Dr. Ryan Peebles, Doctor of Physical Therapy and founder of Core Balance Training, explains how hyper-kyphosis can contribute not only to neck tension and rounded shoulders, but also to chronic lower back pain by forcing extension and compensation into the wrong parts of the spine. He breaks down what kyphosis actually is, how common sitting and driving habits reinforce it, and how Core Balance Training uses front anchor awareness, glute engagement, and thoracic control to restore better alignment.

Through live student questions, Dr. Ryan also covers shoulder pain during front anchor work, what to do during flare-ups and setbacks, how MRI findings often fail to explain pain, how scoliosis and asymmetry affect exercise sensations, strategies for tendon irritation, breathing mechanics, diastasis recti modifications, and how to adapt the program for spinal fusion, spondylolisthesis, and hip limitations. The episode is a practical guide to understanding how posture patterns affect the whole body and how to rebuild movement from the core outward.

This episode covers:

What thoracic kyphosis is and when it becomes a problem

How hyper-kyphosis can contribute to lower back pain and neck pain

Why sitting, driving, and reclined posture often reinforce rounded upper back posture

How front anchor work can help reverse excessive thoracic rounding

Why glute engagement helps control extension and protect the lower back

How shoulder posture and side sleeping can affect rotator cuff pain

Why MRI findings often do not correlate well with pain levels

How scoliosis, flat back, and asymmetry change exercise sensations

Modifications for diastasis recti, tendon irritation, hip restriction, spondylolisthesis, and lumbar fusion