Restoring the Natural Curve of Your Low Back: What the Research Really Shows For Lower Back Help

Low back pain is one of the most common reasons people seek chiropractic care. But here’s something many patients are never told:

Pain is often not the root problem — posture and spinal alignment are.

A major scientific review published in the Journal of Physical Therapy Science looked at whether restoring the natural curve of the low back (lumbar lordosis) can actually create long-term improvement — not just temporary relief.

The results are powerful.

Why Lumbar Lordosis Matters

Your lumbar spine is designed to have a gentle forward curve, called lumbar lordosis. This curve helps:

• Absorb shock

• Distribute weight properly

• Protect discs and nerves

• Support healthy posture and movement

When this curve is reduced or flattened (a condition called hypolordosis), stress increases on the spine, often leading to:

• Chronic low back pain

• Disc problems

• Muscle tension and fatigue

• Poor posture and instability

Treating pain alone does not fix this structural problem.

What This Research Reviewed

Researchers analyzed controlled clinical trials using a specialized chiropractic approach known as Chiropractic BioPhysics® (CBP®).

This approach focuses on:

• Correcting spinal posture

• Restoring normal spinal curves

• Using specific traction and corrective exercises

• Measuring changes with imaging, not guesswork

The goal was simple:➡️ Can the natural curve of the low back be restored — and does it last?

What the Studies Found (In Plain English)

The Low Back Curve CAN Be Restored

Across multiple clinical trials:

• Patients increased their lumbar curve by 7–11 degrees

• Improvements occurred over 10–12 weeks

• Programs included 30–36 structured treatment sessions

• Changes were measured on X-rays, not just felt subjectively

Results Lasted — Not Just During Care

This is where CBP® care stood out.

• Patients who received lumbar extension traction maintained:

  • Improved spinal alignment

  • Reduced pain

  • Improved function

• Improvements were still present 6 months later

• In one study, patients maintained results for 1.5 years with periodic maintenance care

Traditional Therapy Did NOT Correct the Curve

Patients who received:

• Standard physiotherapy

• Exercises without traction

• Pain-focused treatment only

…experienced temporary relief, but:

• Their spinal curve did not improve

• Pain often returned within 3 months

• Structural problems remained unchanged

Why Structural Correction Matters

This research confirms something we see clinically every day at Chiropatrick Chiropractic Center:

If the structure doesn’t change, symptoms often come back.

CBP® care focuses on:

• Measurable posture correction

• Long-term spinal stability

• Addressing the cause, not just the symptoms

How This Applies to Patients at C3

At Chiropatrick Chiropractic Center (C3) in Falmouth, Maine, we specialize in postural and spinal corrective care, including CBP®-based techniques that are still rare in New England.

Our approach includes:

• Digital posture analysis

• Motion-based and low-force adjustments

• Targeted spinal traction when appropriate

• Customized corrective exercises

• Objective re-evaluations to track progress

We don’t guess — we measure.

Is This Right for You?

You may be a good candidate for structural correction if you have:

• Chronic or recurring low back pain

• A history of disc issues

• A “flat” or imbalanced posture

• Pain that keeps coming back despite treatment

• Been told “this is just how your back is now”

Take the First Step Toward Structural Healing

New patients at Chiropatrick Chiropractic Center receive a consultation, exam, and posture screening.

This allows us to:

• Determine if your lumbar curve is reduced

• Identify structural contributors to pain

• See if CBP® corrective care is appropriate for you

Staff at C3

Chiropatrick Chiropractic Center3 Fundy Rd., Falmouth, ME 04105📞 (207) 781-2003🌐 askchiropatrick.com

Schedule your posture and spinal evaluation today. We would love to see you! Find out whether restoring your spinal structure could change how you feel — long term.

Research Reference

Oakley PA, Ehsani NN, Moustafa IM, Harrison DE.Restoring lumbar lordosis: A systematic review of controlled trials utilizing Chiropractic BioPhysics® methods.Journal of Physical Therapy Science, 2020.