Lordosis/Lordotic spine?

I've always thought my butt just stuck out funny, I thought I should just accept it. But now i think i has a lordoctic spine/lordosis/ "swayback". Now I know this might just have to do with posture, and maybe i have to just be more vigilant about that. However, i know there are a lot of smart ladies out there who might be able to tell me where i should go to get this looked at by a professional?

do i need to go to a podiatrist to help adjust shoes to get me to stand straighter? or a chiropractor to get my spine looked at?

It just bothers me because i've realized it affects my running posture and stride, and sometimes my back really hurts, not to mention it makes me self conscious.

I've provided a couple pictures fr om a friend's wedding that can show how dramatically my lower back arches. and maybe I'm just being paranoid and there really is nothing i can do to fix this.

Also, i know that a weak stomach and weak hamstrings combined with a tight back and tight quads characterizes an imbalance to also contribute to the lordotic spine. so.... maybe just exercises can help me?

I really don't know what to do about this. I just thought I'd ask to see the response. I'm just frustrated.

In the picture that is just butts, the ring bearer who was 2 got a hold of the camera, I'm clearly left. and then obviously, I cannot be the bride in the other. covenient pictures though right?

(p.s. if you're wondering my friend's gown is oleg cassini from david's bridal, so pretty!)

I don't personally have experience with this so I have no advice to offer, but I have noticed that is often comes up in a Pilates discussion board that I frequent, particularly when they are on the topic of proper spinal curvature/pelvic tilt/neutral/flat -- there are many words that come into the discussion that everyone is always trying to refine what they mean.

Pilates might be a direction for you to explore, but I think it's probably important for you to define the problem and define your goals. Then do LOTS of research and decide on a course of action.

I have a bit of a "swayed back" due to a spinal condition called spondylolisthesis, which is a vertebral slippage. Mine is a 50% slippage (classified as a Grade 2) at my L5/S1 vertebra, and it also causes me to walk a little "funny" (aka - waddle). A simple lumbar xray confirmed this for me, although I have also had 2 MRI's. My low back gets stiff and tight all the time, especially after bouts of inactivity such as sitting for more than an hour at a time...or sleeping overnight.

Perhaps seeing a reputable chiro who will do a simple xray (most will offer an xray with a new-patient consultation) can give you a better idea of what you might be dealing with.

I don't agree with everything on this site (not that I have any expertise to really allow me to agree or disagree :rolleyes:) but she does talk a lot about swayback and what to do about it, and in general I think she has a lot of good ideas:

http://www.drbookspan.com/fitfix-index.html

I'd see an orthopedist or a neuro/back surgeon for an eval. You need a set of X-rays and maybe and MRI to see what's up. Mostly I worry about what's ahead of you, say when you're 70 years old. Take your time, find a good doc, and go from there. It maybe just a normal variation, but you just don't want it to worsen.

I'd suggest a PT or pilates instructor to teach you good posture.

From the pictures you posted, you have the typical "Betty Boop" locked-knee girlie posture. Yeah, it takes some work to train your body to unlock the knees, pull the tailbone down, and hold the belly flat; but women do it every day.