Spine Region Flashcards
What influence does gravity have on postural alignment?
- Places stress on structures responsible for maintaining the body upright
- Due to body’s anterior/posterior sway, muscles are necessary to control sway and maintain equilibrium
Where does the gravity line fall in respects to the ankle?
Anterior to the joint and tends to rotate the tibia forward, stability is provided by plantarflexor muscles
Where does the gravity line fall in respects to the knee?
Anterior to the knee joint (keeps knee in extension)
Where does the gravity line fall in respects to the hip?
The line varies with body’s sway, but when it passes through the hip joint, there is equilibrium
Where does the gravity line fall in respects to the back?
It passes through the bodies of the lumbar and cervical vertebrae
Where does the gravity line fall in respects to the neck/head?
Anterior to the atlanto-occipital joints
Which muscles contract to keep the head up?
Posterior cervical muscles
What is Lordotic posture?
increase in lumbar lordosis
What are 3 common causes of lordotic posture?
- Sustained faulty posture
- Pregnancy
- Obesity
- Weak abdominal muscles
What is a potential impairment associated with lordotic posture?
impairment in hip flexor muscles
3 potential symptoms of lordotic posture
- stress to anterior longitudinal ligament
- narrowing of posterior disk space
- approximation of the articular facets
What is swayback aka?
relaxed/slouched posture
What are 2 common causes of relaxed/slouched posture?
- muscles are not used to provide support
- passive structures provide stability
What is a potential impairment associated with relaxed/slouched posture?
mobility impairment in the upper abdominal muscles and impaired muscle performance due to stretched and weak lower abdominal muscles, extensor muscles of the lower thoracic region , and hip flexor muscles
3 potential symptoms of relaxed/slouched posture
- stress to iliofemoral ligaments
- stress to the anterior longitudinal ligament of the lower lumbar spin
- stress to the posterior longitudinal ligament of the upper lumbar and thoracic spine
What is flat low-back posture characterized by?
a decreased lumbosacral angle, decreased lumbar lordosis, hip extension, and posterior tilting of the pelvis
What are 2 common causes of flat low-back posture?
Continued slouching or flexing in sitting or standing posture places too much emphasis of flexion exercises
What are a few potential muscle impairments associated with flat low-back posture?
Mobility impairment in trunk flexor muscles and hip extensor muscles
- Impaired muscle performance due to stretched and weak lumbar extensor and possible hip flexor muscles
3 potential symptoms of flat low-back posture
- lack of normal lordotic curve
- stress to poterior longitudinal ligament
- increased posterior disk space
What are 3 faulty postures associated with the cervical and thoracic region?
- Round back with forward head
- Flat upper back and neck posture
- Scoliosis
When are the acute, subactue, and chronic stages of spinal problems?
Acute: less than 4 weeks
Subacute: 4 to 12 weeks
Chronic: more than 12 weeks
What are a few management guidelines for acute spinal problems?
- Patient education
- Symptoms relief or comfort
- Kinesthetic awareness of safe postures and effects of movement
- Core muscle activation and basic stabilization
- Basic functional movements
What are a few management guidelines for subacute spinal problems?
- Pain management
- Kinesthetic training
- Stretching/mobilization
- Muscle performance
- Cardiopulmonary conditioning
- Postural stress management and relaxation exercises
- Functional activities
What are a few management guidelines for chronic spinal problems?
- Emphasize spinal control during high intensity and repetitive activities
- Increased mobility
- Improved muscle performance
- Increased cardiopulmonary endurance
- Advanced patient education
3 Exercises of skills that all patients with spinal impairments should learn
1) Kinesthetic training
2) Stabilization training
3) Functional training
