Posture Movement Analysis Flashcards
What is the starting position for a posture evaluation?
Standing still, feet shoulder-width apart, face forward, arms relaxed at sides
Why might a patient be asked to march in place before a posture evaluation?
To help them assume a relaxed, natural posture
From which views should posture be evaluated?
Posterior, lateral, and anterior
What is the ideal attire for a posture evaluation?
Shirt and shoes off, wearing shorts
At what level should the therapist’s eyes be during posture evaluation?
At the level of the area being evaluated
What additional methods should be used in posture evaluation besides visual observation?
Palpation where appropriate
What aspects of head position should be evaluated in the anterior view?
Sidebending, rotation off midline, forward head
What facial feature symmetry should be checked in the anterior view?
Facial structural symmetry
What should be assessed regarding the jaw in the anterior view?
Jaw symmetry
What should be observed about the position of the nose in relation to the sternum?
Position of the nose to the sternum
What should be evaluated about the shoulders in the anterior view?
Levelness of the shoulders
What should be checked about the clavicles in the anterior view?
Angle of clavicles
What should be assessed regarding the rib cage and sternum in the anterior view?
Rib cage and sternum position
What is evaluated about the position between the body and arms in the anterior view?
Position between body and arms
What should be checked regarding arm length in the anterior view?
Arm length
What should be evaluated about the elbows in the anterior view?
Carrying angle of the elbows
What should be observed about the rotation of the upper extremities in the anterior view?
Internal or external rotation of the upper extremities
How is lateral symmetry of posture evaluated?
By imagining a line from the ceiling to the floor through the midline of the patient’s body
What are the ideal points through which the lateral symmetry line should pass?
External auditory meatus, AC joint, humeral head, greater trochanter, just anterior to the lateral malleolus
What should be observed about scapular position in the lateral view?
Scapular protraction/retraction
What spinal curves should be evaluated in the lateral view?
Cervical and thoracic curves
What head positions should be checked in the lateral view?
Sidebending, rotation off midline, forward head
What aspects of head position should be evaluated in the posterior view?
Sidebending, rotation off midline, forward head
What should be checked regarding the mastoid processes in the posterior view?
Mastoid processes level
What shoulder positions should be evaluated in the posterior view?
Shoulder elevation, rounding, and evenness
What scapular features should be assessed in the posterior view?
Superior border and inferior tips of the scapula
What should be observed regarding the medial border of the scapula in the posterior view?
Position of the medial border of the scapula
What spinal curvatures should be evaluated in the posterior view?
Cervical and thoracic spine curvature
What muscles should be observed in the posterior view?
Upper trap, infraspinatus, and erector spinae (ES)
What is the normal resting position of the humerus?
Neutral rotated position
How much of the humeral head should be anterior to the acromion in normal posture?
⅓ or less
What is the position of the cubital fossa in normal arm posture?
Facing anteriorly
What direction does the olecranon face in normal arm posture?
Posteriorly
What direction does the hand face in normal arm posture?
Facing the body
What is an anterior arm position?
Humeral head is more than ⅓ length in front of the acromion
What does an abducted arm position look like?
Distal end of the arm is away from the body
What happens in an internally rotated arm position?
Palm faces posteriorly, cubital fossa faces medially, olecranon faces laterally
What is a flexed arm position?
Distal end of the arm is in front of the humerus
What is an extended arm position?
Distal end of the arm is behind the humerus
What does the “normal” posture involve?
Joint, ligament, muscle, nerves, and internal organs in balanced alignment
Where is the plumb line in relation to the lateral malleolus in “normal” posture?
Slightly anterior to the lateral malleolus
Where is the plumb line in relation to the knee joint in “normal” posture?
Slightly anterior to the knee joint
Where does the plumb line pass through in “normal” posture?
Greater trochanter (slightly posterior to hip joint axis), bodies of lumbar and cervical vertebrae, glenohumeral joint, lobe of ear
What are common features of a lordotic posture?
Lordotic/Kyphotic posture
What happens to the lumbosacral angle in lordotic posture?
It increases
What happens to lumbar lordosis in lordotic posture?
It increases
What type of pelvic tilt is seen in lordotic posture?
Anterior pelvic tilt
What position are the hips in lordotic posture?
Hip flexion
What happens to the pelvis in swayback posture?
The entire pelvis shifts anteriorly, resulting in hip extension
What happens to the thoracic segment in swayback posture?
The thoracic segment shifts posteriorly
What is swayback posture associated with?
Thoracic kyphosis and forward head
What happens to the lumbar spine and hips in swayback posture?
The lumbar spine becomes flatter, and there is hip extension
What happens to the lumbosacral angle in flat back posture?
It decreases
What happens to lumbar lordosis in flat back posture?
It decreases
What type of pelvic tilt is seen in flat back posture?
Posterior pelvic tilt
What is flat back posture associated with?
Flattened thoracic spine
What are the four rib quadrants?
- Upper Chest (sternal ribs)
- Lower Chest (lower ribcage)
- Upper Back (between shoulder blades)
- Lower Back (lower part of ribcage)
What can restrictions in the rib quadrants affect?
Breathing, trunk rotation, shoulders, neck, and posture
