Pectus excavatum guides
Here are all the Pectus Academy guides, grouped by topic. Each one separates personal experience from what the studies say and lists its sources at the end. If this is your first visit, start with What is pectus excavatum? and continue with Can it be corrected without surgery?
1. Understanding your pectus
- What is pectus excavatum? Symptoms, causes and types
- Mild or severe: where the line is and when to see a doctor
- Haller index: what it is, how it is calculated, and a calculator
- Pectus excavatum and pectus carinatum: the differences
- Visual improvement and structural correction: the difference
- Self-check list to prepare for your appointment
2. Improving without surgery: exercise, posture and breathing
- Can pectus excavatum be corrected without surgery?
- Pectus excavatum exercises: which to do and how to start
- Posture: rounded shoulders and rib flare
- Breathing and chest expansion
- Gym: which exercises make sense
- Sports: can I exercise normally?
3. Vacuum bell
- Vacuum bell: how it works and what the evidence says
- How to choose the size
- How many hours a day and for how long
- Side effects and contraindications
- Vacuum bell and exercises: better together?
- Vacuum bell in adults: what is known and what is not
4. By age and situation
- Pectus excavatum in adults: what to expect
- Is it too late at 20, 30 or 40?
- Children and teenagers: a guide for parents
- Body image and confidence
5. Surgery and studies
Want a structured plan?
The guides explain the what and the why. If you want a week-by-week plan, take a look at the 16-week program, or start for free with the guide to the 4 posture mistakes (form at the bottom of the page).