Summary Posture Assessment

ASSESSMENT OF BODY POSTURE
What is the definition of body posture?
 The arrangement of body parts by the body or through external support (chair/bed) or
through coordinated contraction of various muscles
What are the forms of body posture?
 Static → Maintaining position against gravity
 Dynamic → Maintaining a normal postural pattern in the trunk during movement
 Compensatory → In reaction to an incorrect body alignment, muscle imbalance,
exhaustion
What are the types of posture?

 Relaxed body posture
o Minimum muscle action / willpower
o Extra stress are put on joint ligaments due to hyperextension of joints
o Not the most comfortable

 Military body posture
o Erect, extended spine
o This type of body posture can results in:
 muscle imbalance
 over stretched muscles
 stress on joints

 Functional body posture
o Normal alignment of all body parts
o With optimal muscle action
o Minimum strain on ligaments / joints
o Purpose → To protect supporting structures of body against injury / deformity
o Characteristics
 Segments of the body are balanced
 Soft tissue / skin are elastic and relaxed
 Bone and joints are all correctly aligned
 Normal muscle tone.
 Muscles function with maximum efficiency and minimal effort
 Optimal movement is possible
 Cardio-vascular function occurs naturally
 Effective adjustment to the requirements set by the activity
What are the assessment methods of body posture?

 What is the plumbline test?
o Imaginary line from Mastoid process through greater tubercle through greater
trochanter to 3.5cm anterior to the lateral malleolus (center of arch of foot)
o Line will not go through all these landmarks if
 Chin is forward
 Shoulders are rounded
 Pelvis is tilted forward or backward