4: Posture

Question 1

What’s normal pelvic tilt?

Answer 1

even or PSIS slightly higher (average 7º-15º)

Side note: body likes 15º angles – spine of scap and clavicle also normally 15º

Question 2

What’s normal pelvic angle?

Answer 2

30º line through pubic symphysis and PSIS

Question 3

What are some characteristics of proper scapular posture?

Answer 3

• medial border on rib cage
• 3-4 patient’s finger widths from midline
• spine of scapula at T3
• spine of scapula -15º inclination

Question 4

What’s postural tone?

Answer 4

The basic level of tension required to brace joints and maintain cellular activity. It’s unlike resting tone because constant m. activation is required.

Question 5

What’s contracture?

Answer 5

• the adaptive shortening of a muscle or other soft tissue
  
  • prevents normal extensibility of the involved structures
  • can occur in mm, joint capsule, fascia and skin

Question 6

What’s tightness weakness?

Answer 6

The most severe form of m tightness. Overused m shortens over time, changing the m’s length-tension curve and becoming more readily activated and weaker over time. There is also an increase in the noncontractile tissue and a decrease in elasticity, leading to hypertrophy. Ultimately, overuse leads to ischemia and degeneration of m fibres, which further weakens the m.

Question 7

What’s adaptive lengthening?

Answer 7

When mm, ligaments and joint capsules are in a state of continual stretch, they can lengthen, ligament laxity results in hypermobility of a joint. M. attachments are further apart.

Question 8

What’s stretch weakness?

Answer 8

Habitually lengthened mm may become over-lengthened and exhibit stretch weakness. When mm and fascia adaptively lengthen, they must function in a lengthened position. This puts them at a mechanical disadvantage. These mm are often subject to fatigue/TrPs/spasm.

• mm may test weak or have reduced endurance
• may be hypermobile
• attachments are further apart

Question 9

What are fascial adhesions?

Answer 9

Connective tissue layers may adhere to each other. With palpation there is an inability to differentiate tissues.

Question 10

What’s postural fault/faulty posture?

Answer 10

Posture that deviates from normal. No adaptive changes.

Question 11

What’s postural dysfunction?

Answer 11

Adaptive shortening and/or muscle weakness are involved

Question 12

What’s postural pain syndrome?

Answer 12

Pain from mechanical stresses of poor/prolonged posture

Question 13

What are the three legs of the postural “stool”?

Answer 13

• Skeletal and ligaments
• Muscles and soft tissue
• Nervous