Posture refers to the alignment of the body parts when standing in a relaxed stance. Good posture involves training the body to stand, sit and lie in positions that place the least strain on supporting muscles and ligaments. There is no single definition of "normal" posture as everyone's body is different. Maintaining proper posture can help decrease joint stress and strain, prevent back pain, and contribute to a good appearance. Poor posture is corrected through exercises and therapies that realign the body and strengthen weak muscles. Daily posture exercises can help reinforce good habits and balance.

1. Posture Position of the limbs or the carriage of the body as a whole

2. Posture Posture is defined as "the position or bearing of the body" (Webster’s Medical Dictionary ) and refers to the overall alignment of the various body parts to each other when the person is standing in a relaxed stance. Posture is the result of many underlying processes and tensional relationships throughout the body. As such posture becomes a mesure of the overall balances in the body and can be used as a tool to assess if interventions have resulted in a change in overall body balance .

3. What is the good posture ? Posture is the position in which you hold your body upright against gravity while standing, sitting or lying down. Good posture involves training your body to stand, walk, sit and lie in positions where the least strain is placed on supporting muscles and ligaments during movement or weight-bearing activities.

4. There really isn't anything that you could really call normal, good posture . All of us are different shapes and sizes and our spines are no exception to that rule . The spine has a series of curves to make the S shape that we can see when we look at someone side on. The curve at your low back that bends inwards is called a lordosis, if you have a particularly deep curve you are said to have a lordotic posture . If it is reduced it is described as a “flat back” “sway back” or straight back posture .

5. Proper posture Helps decrease the abnormal wearing of joint surfaces that could result in arthritis. Decreases the stress on the ligaments holding the joints of the spine together. Prevents the spine from becoming fixed in abnormal positions. Keeps bones and joints in the correct alignment so that muscles are being used properly. Prevents fatigue because muscles are being used more efficiently, allowing the body to use less energy. Prevents strain or overuse problems. Prevents backache and muscular pain. Contributes to a good appearance .

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7. Optimal Posture vs. Faulty Posture Optimal posture State of muscular and skeletal balance that protects the supporting structures of the body against injury or progressive deformity Involves the positioning of the joints to provide minimum stress on the joints of the body. Faulty Posture Increases stress on the joints.

8. Poor Posture One of the first indicators of poor posture is a slouching or forward head posture. This posture closes down on lymphatic drainage in the neck and will cause more strain on the posterior neck muscles. It also increases the weight bearing on the discs and can lead to premature arthritis of the neck. There are many causes of this type of posture including car accidents, sports injuries, working with computers and loss of bone density .

9. Causes of Poor posture Structural Causes Permanent anatomical deformities not amenable to correction by conservative treatments Positional Causes Poor postural habit--for whatever reason, the individual does not maintain a correct posture Psychological factors, especially self-esteem. Respiratory conditions General weakness Loss of the ability to perceive the position of your body

10. Causes of Poor posture Obesity Pregnancy Use High- heeled shoes Shortening Of muscle decrease flexibility

11. Tests for Postural Faults The Mirror Test- (Anterior View) Stand facing as full length mirror and check to see if: your shoulders are level your head is straight; no chin deviation; ears are level the spaces between your arms and sides are equally spaced your iliac crests and hips are level kneecaps face straight ahead a 5° foot flare is shown arches are not flat no evidence of scrunching of the toes

12. Correcting Poor Posture There are many therapies or treatments on how to treat posture and the alignment of the body parts, some of them are: Alexander Technique CranioSacral Therapy Physical Therapy Tai Chi Yoga Osteopathy Feldenkrais Method Chiropractic Rolfing Somatics All of them try to find the way in which good posture is achieved with the less effort applied

13. Pusture Exercise Over time, the habit of less activity in general, and much more unbalanced motion by sitting, creates muscle imbalance. Performing Posture Exercise as a daily LifeHabit helps the body to move in ways it would not otherwise move, strengthening the body’s ability to move in balance.

14. Posture Exercise Neck Exercise / Stretch Stand up against a wall and face straight ahead. Gently pull your head back towards the wall. Keeping your face level, without looking up or down, jut your neck forward. Then bring it straight back as if were on railroad tracks. You should feel like a turtle pulling his head back into his shell. Repeat five times. Always consult your doctor before participating in any exercise program. All posture exercises should be performed pain free. If you experience pain or discomfort, stop the exercise and consult your physician

15. Posture Exercise Back Exercise\ Stretch: Lie on your stomach in a "push-up" position. Slowly, with controlled motion, "press up" your body. Keep your pelvis on the floor. Do not strain the low back and only come up as high as you feel comfortable. Slowly lower back down to your stomach, and then repeat. Always consult your doctor before participating in any exercise program. All posture exercises should be performed pain free. If you experience pain or discomfort, stop the exercise and consult your physician .

16. I Exercise A Lot, Why Do I Need To Do Posture Exercises? Practice makes permanent, not perfect. If you have ever had an injury, your body motion probably is not ideally balanced. So, if you can learn to feel a more normal, balanced, controlled motion with a daily posture stretch, you can carry that feeling into other athletic endeavors. Posture exercise helps athletes restore balance, ensuring optimal sports performance.

17. Correcting Your Posture Good posture is a product of body awareness and good habits . The structure and function of the body provides the potential for attaining and maintaining good posture . Postural faults have their origin in the misuse of the capacities provided by the body, not in the structure and function of the normal body . With this new insight, you can now start to make better decisions about your posture . Adjust your habits, make postural corrections and reinforce these changes with functional exercises . Not only will you look better, but you will feel better and you will probably be able to perform better for a longer time . ” Stand up straight and don’t slouch” Your Mom

18. Orthotics and Posture Orthotic devices are employed to correct and support posture. An orthosis is an external appliance worn to restrict or assist motion or to transfer the load from one area to another. Adjustments allow all joints to function under a proportionate weight distribution.

19. Reference http:// www.kitsappt.com/Specialties/program_posture.htm http://www.lower-back-pain-toolkit.com/good-posture.html http://symptoms.wrongdiagnosis.com/cosymptoms/posture-symptoms/tracheal-deviation-desc-sall.htm http://www.bodyzone.com/custom/posture_exercise.html John Josephs , Posture Awareness for the Cyclist or Triathlete , 9/15/2007 http://www.konamultisport.com/PostureAnalysis.asp