Posture and Body Mechanics

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Posture and Body Mechanics
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Importance of Correct Posture and Body Mechanics
In daily activities
In sport activities
In the activities that sport rehabilitation
specialists undertake in treatment sessions
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posture the relative alignment of the various
body segments with one another
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good posture The bodys alignment is balanced so
that stress applied to the body segments is
minimal.
poor posture The bodys alignment is out of
balance, causing unusual stresses to various body
segments, which can lead to abnormal anatomical
adaptations, alterations in performance, and less
efficiency.
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Correct Standing Alignment Anterior View
Plumb line bisects nose, mouth, sternum,
umbilicus, pubic bones.
Earlobes are level, as are the shoulders,
fingertip ends, nipples, iliac crests, patellae,
and medial malleoli.
Patellae point straight ahead with feet straight
or turned slightly outward.
Knees and ankles in line.
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Correct Standing Alignment Posterior View
Plumb line bisects head and follows spinous
processes.
Earlobes, shoulders, scapulae, hips, PSIS,
gluteal fold, posterior knee creases, medial
malleoli are level.
(continued)
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Correct Standing Alignment Posterior View
Scapulae lie against rib cage between T2 and T7,
5 cm from spinous processes.
Calcanei are straight calcaneal tendon is
perpendicular to floor.
Weight is distributed equally.
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Correct Standing Alignment Lateral View
Plumb line passes through external auditory
meatus, earlobe, bodies of cervical vertebrae,
center of shoulder joint, greater trochanter
midway between back and chest slightly anterior
to center of knee just behind patella slightly
anterior to lateral malleolus.
(continued)
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Correct Standing Alignment Lateral View
Horizontal line should connect ASIS and PSIS
Weight balanced between heel and forefoot
Knees straight, not locked
Chin slightly tucked, chest slightly up and
forward, mild inward curve in neck and low back
regions
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Correct Sitting Alignment
Feet rest comfortably on floor with hips and
knees at 90.
Chair seat does not run into posterior knee
chair back comes to lower scapula border.
Chair arms are at a level that provides shoulder
relaxation and permits forearms to rest
comfortably with elbows at 90.
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lordosis an excessive forward curve in the
lumbar or cervical area
kyphosis an excessive posterior curve, often in
the thoracic area
scoliosis a lateral curve of the normally
straight spine, classified as either a C-curve or
an S-curve
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Pathological Alignment Pelvis and Lumbar Area
Lordosis
Flat lumbar spine
Scoliosis
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Pathological Alignment Thoracic Area
Thoracic kyphosis
Flattening of upper back
Scoliosis
Lateral shift
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Pathological Alignment Head and Cervical Area
Forward head
Cervical lordosis
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Pathological Alignment Lower Extremities
Hips coxa valga, coxa varus anteversion,
retroversion
Knees genu valgus, genu varus squinting
patellae, frogs eye patellae genu recurvatum
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Femoral Neck-Shaft Angles
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Pathological Alignment Lower Extremities
Lower leg tibial torsion
Ankle and foot pes cavus, pes planus pronation,
supination hallux valgus claw toes, hammertoes
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Arch Positions
Adapted from Richardson and Iglarsh 1994.
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Toe Deformities
Parts b and c reprinted from Richardson and
Iglarsh 1994.
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Pathological Alignment Upper Extremities
Rounded shoulders
Forward and downward scapulae
Internally rotated shoulders
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Causes of Muscle Imbalances Read pp 337-338
Sustained shortening of one muscle and
compensatory lengthening of opposite muscle
Overuse weakness of one group overpowered by
strength of opposing group
Postural deviations with aging
Joint abnormalities
Injuries, muscle strains
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Treatment of Muscle Imbalances Read pp 337-338
Lengthen shortened muscle groups
Strengthen weak muscle groups.
Educate patient on proper posture for conscious
correction.
Encourage bilateral activities.
Conditioning programs include a balanced program.
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body mechanics the way the body is positioned
and used during activity
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Body Mechanics Principles
Straight or neutral spine
Stability maintained by a low center of gravity,
a broad base of support, and a stance in the
direction of force application
Strong abdominals
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Body Mechanics During Daily Activities
Lifting objects
Pushing or pulling objects
Carrying objects
Rising from a chair
Getting on the floor
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Body Mechanics in Sport
Straight back
Abdominal strength
Pelvic neutral
Examples of specific sports
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Body Mechanics for Sport Rehabilitation Specialist
Equal distribution of weight over the two feet
Feet in correct alignment and in direction of
forces
Force applied from legs
Back straight
Move from right to left foot and back again
Keep upper extremities relaxed, in proper
alignment