Posture

Posture is the attitude or position the body assumes, either with support during muscular activity or as a result of the coordinated action of a group of muscles working together to maintain stability. Good posture keeps every body part aligned so that the least possible stress falls on the joints and muscles. Posture is classified into two categories.

1. Dynamic posture is how a person holds the body while moving - for example, while walking, running, or bending over to pick something up. It forms the efficient base for movement, and here the muscles and other (non-contractile) structures must constantly adapt to changing circumstances.

2. Static posture is how a person holds the body while stationary - for example, while sitting, standing, or sleeping. The body segments are aligned and held in fixed positions, achieved through the coordinated interaction of various muscle groups that work statically to counteract gravity and other forces.

Why Good Posture Matters

Maintaining good posture is important. When all the body parts are aligned correctly, the least amount of stress is placed on the joints and muscles, which in turn helps prevent fatigue. Good posture supports higher productivity at work and keeps a person in a physically and mentally stress-free state. Poor posture, sustained over time, is what allows a normal alignment to slip into a fixed postural deformity.

Causes of Postural Deformity

A postural deformity rarely has a single cause; it usually develops from several factors acting together over time. The common causes include:

• Heredity - an inherited tendency toward a particular deformity.
• Disease - conditions such as rickets, tuberculosis of the spine, or arthritis.
• Injury or accident - trauma that damages bones or joints and leaves them misaligned.
• Poor habits - habitual slouching, standing with weight on one leg, or carrying a bag on one shoulder.
• Improper clothing - tight or ill-fitting clothes and unsupportive footwear.
• Unhygienic living conditions and an improper or unbalanced diet (deficiency of calcium, vitamin D and protein). …