Postural Assessment
Postural Assessment
Postural Assessment
Posture
Posture is how the body balances.
Muscles, bones, and ligaments all work together to
exert postural control.
The nervous system innervates these structures to
regulate growth and function.
Muscles and their nerves…
A) provide stability to the trunk.
B) produce movement during physiologic activity.
Postural Analysis
The motor system consists of bones, muscles, and ligaments.
The nervous system controls the motor system.
Postural analysis is an assessment of the function of the
motor system as well as the nervous system.
Pain Cycle
Neutral Posture
The brain and nervous system utilize information from three
sources to balance the body in space.
Sources of balance…
Eyes – level.
Ears – vestibular apparatus.
Muscles and joints – proprioceptive pathways.
Righting Reflex
A postural reaction that turns a falling animal's body in space
so that its paws or feet are pointed at the ground.
Returns the animal to sternal recumbency after being placed
on its back or side.
A normal reaction is dependent on normal vestibular, visual
and proprioceptive functions.
Causality
Postural changes can be the cause of a clinical
problem.
Postural changes can be the effect of a clinical
problem.
Orthopedic problems can cause a postural change,
which can worsen the orthopedic problem.
Asymptomatic postural problems can produce
mechanical stress, which can predispose an
individual to injury.
Ideal Posture
There is no “normal” posture.
Ideal posture serves as a reference point.
Ideal posture…
Distributes gravitational stress for balanced muscle function.
Allows joints to move in their mid range to minimize stress on
ligaments and articular surfaces.
Effective for the individual’s activities of daily living.
Allows the individual to avoid injury.
Balanced Posture
Effect of Habits on Posture
Good habits contribute to a strong and stable posture.
Bad habits contribute to poor posture and instability.
Examples of Poor Postural
Habits
Excessive sitting.
Carrying a heavy backpack.
Slumping.
Poor sleeping positions.
One-sided activities…
Carrying a heavy purse.
Sitting on a wallet.
Sitting in a twisted position.
Postural Changes
Effects of Poor Posture on
Muscles
Overstressed muscles tighten.
Favored muscles weaken.
This imbalance perpetuates the poor posture.
Spinal Distortions
Anterior to posterior.
Lateral.
Helical.
Foundational distortions create changes above.
Spinal Column Views
Helical Spinal Distortion
Muscle Palpation
Palpate for hypertonic (overused) muscles.
Palpate for weak / inhibited muscles.
A muscle is weak because it is unstressed and should be
strengthened with exercise.
An inhibited muscle is not being used because it’s
antagonistic muscle is being overused.
Reciprocal Inhibition
Reciprocal inhibition describes muscles on one side of a joint
relaxing to accommodate contraction of muscles on the other
side of a joint.
Reciprocal Inhibition
Postural and Phasic Muscles
Postural (tend to Phasic (tend to
hyperactivity) hypoactivity)
Triceps surae Tibialis anterior
Hamstrings Gluteus maximus
Gluteus medius
Adductors
Rectus abdominus
Rectus femoris
Lower / middle trapezius
Tensor fascia latae (TFL)
Longus capitus and colli
Psoas
Deltoids
Erector spinae Digastrics
Postural and Phasic Muscles
Postural (tend to
hyperactivity)
Quadratus lumborum (QL)
Pectoralis
Upper Trapezius
Sternocleidomastoid
Suboccipital
Masticatories
Posture Blocks
Prior To Postural Evaluation
Obtain pertinent history.
Description of symptoms.
Fractures.
Injuries.
Congenital anomalies.
Dominant hand.
Note gross structural asymmetries such as scoliosis.
Postural Views
Posture Types
Posterior View Evaluation
Occipital protruberance.
Cervical, thoracic, and lumbar spinous processes.
Coccyx.
Gluteal folds.
Arms should hand equally with palms slightly visible.
Posterior View Evaluation
The space between the arms and sides of the body should be
equal.
Legs should be equally abducted.
The backs of the knees should be the same.
Ankles and feet aligned b/l (no pronation or supination).
Posterior View Evaluation
Occipital protruberance.
Cervical, thoracic, and lumbar spinous processes.
Coccyx.
Gluteal folds.
Arms should hand equally with palms slightly visible.
Posterior View Evaluation
Structures that should be level and equal.
Tips of mastoid processes.
Acromia.
Scapula.
Lower margins of 12th ribs.
Iliac crests.
Posterior superior iliac spines (PSIS).
Ischial tuberosities.
Ideal Posterior Alignment
Scoliosis
Pelvic Unleveling
Gothic Shoulder
Scapular Winging
Scapular Winging and Abduction
Tight Levator Scapula
High Left Shoulder
Right Head Tilt and Rotation
Lateral View
Evaluate from both sides.
Landmarks.
External auditory canal.
Acromion process of shoulder.
Axillary line.
Mid-point of iliac crest.
Greater trochanter of hip.
Lateral condyles of femur.
Tibia slightly anterior to lateral malleolus.
Ideal Lateral Alignment
Head Alignment Lateral View
Forward Head Posture
Head and Neck Weight
Distribution
Forward Head Tilt
Abdominal Protrusion
Pelvic Tilt (Anterior and
Posterior)
Anteroposterior / Front View
Balanced posture should appear equal from left to
right.
Landmarks.
Bridge of nose.
Center of chin.
Episternal notch.
Xiphoid process.
Umbilicus.
Pubes.
Anteroposterior / Front View
Arms should hang similarly with palms at the side of the
thighs
Shoulder girdle symmetry
Hands should show similar rotation and placement on the body
Legs should appear equally abducted from the center line
Anteroposterior / Front View
Feet aligned b/l
No pronation / supination
No inversion of eversion
Knees forward and symmetric b/l
Anteroposterior / Front View
Structures that should be equal b/l and level
Eyes
Clavicles
Lower margins of the ribcage
Anterior superior iliac spines (ASIS)
Femoral trochanters
Knees
Ankles
Internal Rotation of Shoulders /
Rounded Shoulders
Genu Valga (Knock-knees)
Genu Vara (Bowlegs)
Upper Crossed Syndrome
Affects the head, neck and shoulders.
Result of long-term seated postures.
Rolled-in and forward shoulders.
Increased thoracic kyphosis.
Forward head posture.
Loss of cervical lordosis.
Upper Crossed Syndrome
Postural Signs of Upper Crossed
Syndrome
Postural finding Dysfunction
Rounded shoulders Shortened pectorals