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The term Dowagerâs Hump originated from the Greek word âkyphosisâ which means a hump, and dowager for its technical term meaning âdignified elderly womanâ. A physical deformity resulting in a condition of over-curvature of the thoracic spine (upper back) of our body.
Over many years, the spinal fractures cause a loss of height of the spine resulting in the person becoming shorter. A curvature of the spine can also occur giving the individual a hunched-back appearance (the so-called dowager's hump). This can lead to chronic backaches.