What posture type are you?
There has been a lot of controversy in the physical therapy, chiropractic, massage therapy, and other movement-based practice communities surrounding posture.
Is posture important?
Does poor posture cause pain?
Does poor posture negatively affect function?
These are just a few of the questions which have received a significant amount of attention as of late.
Here is even a research article stating that there is no consensus on the idea that different postures cause lower back pain.
So what do we believe here at Congruency?
Is posture important?
Yes! It is one of the first things we assess after having an initial discussion on what is going on with our clients. Taking an in depth look into the client’s resting posture and pairing the findings with the client’s story can help us make predictions about what will happen when we make them move into certain positions. Furthermore, looking at the system as a whole can help us find other areas of the body that may be contributing to their problem.
Does poor posture cause pain?
It absolutely can. If it doesn’t cause pain, it can contribute to keeping you in pain. For example, let’s discuss neck pain. I have a client who comes in with neck pain. I have my client slouch down. I place my hands on top of their head and gently apply downward pressure. Pain. I have the client sit in an improved stacking postural position with their head more in line with their shoulders. I apply the same downward pressure. Painless. Did the posture/position contribute to the increase in pain? You bet. This is one simple example but I hope you get the point.
Does poor posture negatively affect function?
Yes. Of course. Here’s another example: I have a client slouch down and then raise one arm up overhead as far as they can without sitting up taller. Full motion? Not even close. Maybe even a tingle of pinching or pain. I have them then sit up in a good postural stacking position and see if they can raise their arm higher overhead. Are they able to? Of course. Maybe even less pain! Did a change in posture help their pain and function? Absolutely.
I hope these simple examples help you understand why we lean so heavily on posture in our assessments.
So what postural classification system do I use?
The Saliba Postural Classification System (SPCS). Here is a link to a study on the validity and reliability of this classification system.
I love to use this with my clients because it’s simple to understand and helps me determine areas of the body that may need to be addressed due to the natural effects of gravity on their particular posture.
There are two components to the naming of each posture.
The vertical position of the ribcage over the pelvis (vertical, anterior, or posterior)
The angle or tipping of the ribcage as it relates to the pelvis (vertical, anterior, or posterior)
As a result, there are 6 potential combinations of postures which I have outlined in the videos below. I demonstrate the posture and show step by step on myself how to correct the positioning. Clinically, we do a series a pre-tests and post tests to see if indeed changing their position affects their function. Furthermore, if there is a limited ability to achieve a certain postural position, we may need targeted exercise and/or manual therapy to improve efficiency to achieve a more neutral position.
Check out the videos below:
