Body Posture

CORRECT BODY POSTURE

There are a lot of definitions for correct body posture, below two of them:

1/) A correct  body posture is such a posture in which the arrangement of separate body segments is harmonized, and keeping such a posture requires minimal tension of muscular and nervous systems.

2/) A correct body posture means such a body shape that results from the structure and habitual location of its parts, which is conducive to basic functions of the human body.

A correct body posture is not a clear-cut concept. It depends among others on following factors: age (e.g. senile posture, small-child posture), time of the day, meals, tiredness …

To assess the correctness of body posture – depending on age – we apply following rules:

SMALL-CHILD BODY POSTURE

- shoulders do not protrude forward

- back of the head and the back are in one line (it is easy to check when you ask the child to step towards a wall)

- convex stomach

- slight indentation (lordosis) of lumbar spine

- whole torso inclined forward

- light bending of hips and knees

- until 4-5 years of age platypodia

SCHOOLCHILD BODY POSTURE

- chest is slightly flattened which makes shoulder rounding more distinct

- stomach is a bit less convex

- lordosis (indentation of lumbar spine becomes more distinct)

- the whole torso remains slightly inclined forward

- straight legs

- hip and knee flexion a bit smaller

- entire disappearance of platypodia

PUBERTY AGE

- straightened body posture

- decreased stomach protrusion

- hip and knee flexion disappearance

ADULT PERSON BODY POSTURE

- head is slightly prominent

- flat stomach, retreated in relation to chest

- spinal bendings in the shape of letter S

FAULTY BODY POSTURE

is a fixed alteration in the osseous system, faults in “holding oneself erect”; these are also disturbances in the spatial configuration of the body (Wolański 1958, 1979)

Faulty postures can have different reasons:

1. 1) congenital (e.g. hip joint dysplasia),
2. 2) originated due to diseases and injuries,
3. 3) acquired, most common, caused by bad habits (lack of movement, incorrect sitting etc.),
4. habitual, caused by hearing or vision defects (habit of scooping over a book).

Defects can originate within the natural curves of the spine due to their improper configuration or scolioses (improper lateral bending of the spine). Scoliosis occurs three times more often in girls than in boys, it appears between 7 and 18 years of age.

WHAT IS THE CAUSE OF FAULTY POSTURES?
General information

There are three faulty posture developmental periods:
1st period – functional changes
Some muscle groups get weak and extended, in some other an increased tension occurs and they get shorter. The length of this period can be different depending on factors causing development of faulty postures. It can last from some weeks to some months.
2nd period – formation of contractures (in ligaments, muscles and tendons)

Introducing corrective exercises during this period can be fully satisfying. The period can last for some weeks, months or even years.
3rd period – structural changes or fixed contractrures

Faulty postures in this period can be called pathological. Corrective exercises allow to prevent further development of faulty postures. However, their entire elimination is not possible any more and they often require a complex rehabilitation procedure.

The essence of spinal deformities in the sagittal plane is intensification or reduction of physiological curves of the spine. Based on the degree of pelvic inclination as well as spinal mobility Wiles differentiates four basic types of faulty posture:

1. Concavo-convex back – intensification of thoracic kyphosis and lumbar lordosis.

2. Cradle back – intensification of thoracic kyphosis and lumbar lordosis (hyperlordosis).

3. Flat back – lack of physiological spinal curves.

4. Rounded back – intensification of thoracic kyphosis.

CONCAVO-CONVEX BACK In the majority of cases this faulty posture originates from an increased angle of pelvic anteversion. It leads to an excessive lumbar lordosis, and due to segmental compensation to intensification of thoracic kyphosis. Altered spinal configuration as well as pelvic anteversion influence the condition of muscles and ligaments: · dorsal extensor muscles of thoracic spine get extended, and at lumbar segment they get shorter, · greater pectoral muscle and shoulder girdle muscles get contractured, · gluteal muscles get extended and flaccid, · quadriceps muscle of thigh (straight head) gets shortened. Typical features of this deformity: · head inclination forward, · forward shoulder position, · winged scapulas, · flattening of chest, which takes smaller part in breathing, - forward shift of abdominal cavity organs and abdominal muscles extension. The shift of abdominal cavity organs impairs breathing movements of the diaphragm and hinders backflow of venous blood out of them. It leads to breathing and circulation disturbances.	Pic.1. Concavo-convex back (acc. to Colson)
CRADLE BACK In this type of faulty posture also occurs an increased pelvic anteversion. It is the cause of hyperlordosis of lumbosacral spine (lumbosacral spine bends sharply backwards and forms a short, sharp lordosis), and the higher spinal segment forms an excessive thoracolumbar kyphosis. The pubic symphysis is the most protruding part of the body. Typical features of this deformity: change in the configuration of shoulders and shoulder-blades. Body posture is similar to that of concavo-convex back type, and our notice attracts a backward shift of the upper part of the torso. The pubic symphysis is the most protruding part of the body. Some disturbances in breathing, circulation, digestion and menstruation may occur. In a lot of cases people with this type of deformity can complain of pains in lumbosacral spine.	Pic.2. Cradle back (acc. to Colson)
FLAT BACK This deformity occurs at a diminished angle of pelvic anteversion. The characteristic feature is flattening or lack of physiological spinal curves. However, during the examination any mobility limitations of individual spinal segments are not stated. People with this type of posture have flat chest, its mobility and capacity are limited; shoulders are dropped. Diminuation of physiological spinal curves causes the drop-out of shock absorbing function of the spine, favours the development of overload and retrogressive changes in the spine. That is why people with such deformity often complain of headache. Flat back is very often to be seen in children and adolescents. Sitting life-style can be the cause for this. Our children spend a lot of time at school and at some other additional classes; and when they are free at last, they “relax” in front of a computer or TV. Sitting life-style influences not only general condition of the body, but also impairs the muscle power.	Pic.3. Flat back (acc. to Colson)
ROUNDED BACK In this type of faulty posture there is also a diminished pelvic anteversion. It leads to shallowing of lumbar lordosis, the consequence of which is intensification of thoracic kyphosis. The entire torso is inclined forward, and one can keep the balance through pelvic retreat. An excessive bending of thoracic spine is compensated at the cervical segment through an increased cervical lordosis and head inclination forward. Characteristic features of this deformity: · protruding head and shoulders, · protruding shoulder-blades, · dorsal muscle weakness or even relaxation, · chest muscle contracture, · knees and elbows are often slightly bent. Very often chest breathing function is impaired. This type of posture can be congenital or acquired. The acquired one results most often as a consequence of diseases like: rachitis, tuberculosis, Scheuermann disease, ankylosing spondylitis. The cause of rounded back can be muscle dystonia, or dorsal muscle tone disturbances, which can result from overload of dorsal extensor muscles due to static work, e.g. during improper sitting or standing at work or study.	Pic.4. Rounded back (acc. to Colson)

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