Posture Analysis Flashcards
Posture
Position in which someone holds their body when standing or sitting, typically at rest (static posture).
Can also look at dynamic posture while moving limbs or whole body (can be considered a part of gait analysis).
Typically assess at rest.
No ideal posture exists, but some forms are better than others.
-should be more individual focus
-posture changes chronically
-if nothing is hurting the individual or chronic issues coming up in the future, then don’t need to make drastic changes to the person’s posture
Posture is our body’s resting position.
Diagram of different types of posture on slides.
Musculoskeletal Assessment
Gives information on asymmetries, motor patterns, past or current injuries, shortened vs lengthened muscles.
Humans are not symmatrical.
Lengthened vs Shortened Muscles
Doesn’t mean one is stronger and the other is weaker.
Dominant side is typically longer and stronger for muscles.
Postural Muscles
Endurance muscles
-active all day long
-slow-twitch, fatigue resistant fibres
Tend to be common muscles that are tight and possibly short.
Gastrocnemius, soleus, hamstrings, rectus femoris, erector spinae, deep core muscles, pelvic floor, neck extensors, and more.
Standing vs Sitting Posture
Good to do both depending on what goal of the assessment is.
Sitting posture may relate to ergonomic posture for clients such as desk workers, students, truck drviers, etc.
What is the best posture?
The best posture is the next posture.
When to assess posture?
In clinic with static posture or while moving in certain ROM.
During a specific task or job (form of ergonomic assessment).
Ways to assess posture…
Video and apps
-body postures can be recorded and analyzed using software to determine the angle of body segments.
-common in gait analysis
-get informed consent
Real time
-body postures are observed in static posture or while tasks are being performed
Posture Analysis Procedure
Obtain consent to assess posture.
Have client wear no shoes and as little clothing as they are comfortable with.
-depending on the main area of focus you can decide what is best for the analysis.
Have a client stand (or sit) in their normal posture.
-have client take a couple steps in place and a deep breath in and out
Assess client from head to feet from all sides of the body.
-start at the front, then sides, then back.
-say your findings out loud to the client to keep them engaged in the process.
-if using palpation to help with the analysis, ensure you ask for consent to this.
-if assessing through movement, then instruct and demonstrate movement to client first then assess posture.
Common things to look for in the head/neck…
Lateral flexion or rotation to one side.
Forward head posture (typically from side).
Common things to look for in shoulders…
Internal/external rotation of shoulders (typically form side).
Elevation of shoulders.
Muscle tone
-asymmetries or atrophy in big muscle groups
-small difference is normal, but big difference between sides is sign of injury/asymmetry.
Winging of scapula.
Common things to look for in arms/hands…
Internal/external rotation of arms (how much palms are turned back).
-more internal rotation we’re looking for.
Flexion of elbows
Resting position of hands/fingers.
Muscle tone
-asymmetries or atrophy
Common things to look for in the thoracic spine…
Amount of curve (kyphosis)
Scoliosis presence
-differences in shoulder height and hip height, but doesn’t look like their leaning.
-test by doing Adam’s forward bend test
Common things to look for in the lumbar spine…
Amount of curve (lordosis)
Scoliosis presence
Common things to look for in the pelvis/hips…
Anterior and posterior tilts.
Lateral tilts
-palpate hip height on iliac crest and PSIS.
-to assess PSIS, can have client move from one leg to other and if it moves when palpating it then might indicate asymmetry/weakness on one side.
Gluteal tone
-shows asymmetries or atrophy.
Common things to look for in the knees/legs…
Hyperextension of knees
Muscle tone of quads, hamstrings, calves
-asymmetries or atrophy
-where we will see the most differences side to side
Knee valgus or varus
Rotation of upper leg vs lower leg
-ties into feet
Common things to look for in the ankle/foot…
Pronation or supination of arches.
-pronation is normal to some degree to allow for absorption of force
-don’t want excessive pronation.
-look at achilles tendon to give you an idea of pronation and supination.
Splay toes
Number of toes seen from back (rotation of leg)
-duck-footed or pigeon-toed
-can see if it is coming from the knee or the hip joint
