What Are Defects In Posture?

Common defects include curvatures of the spine (either lateral or anteroposterior), flat chest, restricted lower chest, and pouchy abdomen.  Deviations from the normal position of body parts which are due to wrong use are termed functional defects of posture.  These defects may come from carelessness, from muscle weakness following prolonged illness, or from an undeveloped kinaesthetic sense.  It is possible for the individual to correct them by suitable exercise and training.

Functional defects become increasingly difficult to correct as pairs of antagonistic muscles adjust themselves to the new position.  Muscles are arranged in opposing groups, each producing, and movement in the opposite direction.

The anatomical or fixed defects result from actual deformity of the skeleton.  The more serious defects are those involving abnormal curvatures of the spine.  These are made possible because of the large number of vertebrae and the yielding nature of the cartilage forming the cushion between the vertebrae.

Three defects involving the anteroposterior curvatures of the spine are common. One is lordosis, or hollow back, in which there is an exaggerated forward curve in the lumbar region.  Another is kyphosis, or humpback, an exaggerated outward curve of the upper back.  The third is stoop shoulders, in which the head is projected forward, the curve in the neck is increased, and the seventh cervical vertebrae at the back of the neck are very prominent.