Effects of poor posture on the muscles and spine

EFFECTS OF POOR POSTURE ON THE MUSCLES AND ON THE SPINE

Muscles habitually kept in a stretched position beyond the physiologic resting position tend to weaken. This is known as stretch weakness.

Muscles habitually kept in a shortened position tend to lose their elasticity. These muscles test strong in the shortened position but become weak as they are lengthened. This is known as tight weakness.

Imbalances in the flexibility of hip, shoulder, and neck musculature cause asymmetric forces on the spine (which decrease load bearing capability and increase injury risk).

Kisner and Colby, in Therapeutic Exercise, 3rd edition, state that this adaptive shortening of soft tissues and muscle weakness, caused by prolonged poor postural habits is considered to be a postural dysfunction. Stress to the shortened structurescauses pain, and strength and flexibility imbalances may predispose the area to injury or overuse syndromes that a normal musculoskeletal system could sustain.

Good postural habits are necessary to avoid postural dysfunctions.