Hunch back?

A rounded upper back in old age seems like a harmless sign of getting older, but it's actually a red flag that your spine is starting to fail. This condition, known as kyphosis, signals that the structural support in your upper body is collapsing under the pressure of muscle weakness, poor posture or fragile bones. And once the curve becomes fixed, it doesn't just make movement harder — it increases your risk of falls, lung dysfunction, fractures and even early death.

Height loss of more than 3 centimeters from your peak adult height — about an inch and a quarter — is often the first visible warning. According to national guidelines from Healthy Bones Australia and the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners, that type of height loss strongly points to silent spinal fractures.

These small breaks occur without injury or pain, especially in people with undiagnosed osteoporosis, and they allow the spine to buckle forward, creating the signature hunch. Even in the absence of pain, this curve reshapes how your body moves and breathes. Once your spine tips past 50 degrees of forward bend, known as hyperkyphosis, every step and breath become more work.

The Journal of Orthopaedic & Sports Physical Therapy confirms that this level of curvature is tied to reduced lung volume and shorter life expectancy, even in people who feel otherwise healthy. If you're noticing signs like forward head posture, rounded shoulders or unexplained height loss, the time to act is now. The earlier you address the root causes — before the curvature locks in place — the greater your chances of recovery.