I will now explain my theory about how I
believe that it might be possible to make improvements to PC by straighten the
spine (fix the kyphosis) in the upper back. The first picture below shows how
PC has developed. The blue lines represents the ribs. From side view the ribs
are almost horizontal in people with heavily developed PC which is one of the biggest reasons
to why the sternum protrudes. The more horizontal the ribs are the more the
sternum protrudes.
I will explain my theory by using Pythagoras
equation: a² + b² = c²
In the figure below a represents the distance between the sternum and the spine. b represents the bent and compressed spine and c represents the length of a rib side view.
In the figure below a represents the distance between the sternum and the spine. b represents the bent and compressed spine and c represents the length of a rib side view.
The length of the ribs will not change but
if one straighten the spine b upwards, the distance between the
sternum and the spine a will be shorter. With other words the sternum will move
closer to the spine. The ribs that holds it will pull it inwards and take a
less horizontal position. There will be a reverse development of the condition.
The space in the upper chest will increase and release the pressure from the diaphragm
(under the sternum) a little.
If you are a little into math. Then you can
try to assume that the length of the ribs side view c are constant (let’s say
0.35 m) and change the value of the spine b (increase it). What you will find
is that a (the distance between the sternum and the spine) will be shorter the greater
the number one puts in to b because: a²=c²-b²
If I had PC I would try the same philosophy
as in the case of PE as an attempt to improve the condition, because both of
them are probably basically caused by the same thing: Vertical compression of
the thorax. The blog about mainly PE and how to fix it can be found here: http://pectusexcavatumrevolutionblog.blogspot.se/