Identifying musculoskeletal imbalances and restrictions in Range of Movement
WHAT IS POSTURAL ASSESSMENT?
A postural assessment, also known as a postural analysis or a postural alignment assessment, is an observational assessment that is often carried out as the first step of a full physical assessment.
Postural assessment is used to analyse a person’s static posture and their alignment. Performing a postural assessment allows us to look at a client's overall alignment and assess how their body is moving and functioning and how their muscles and joints work together.
The purpose of this is to observe the client’s posture and then interpret the implications of what is seen.
In the simplest terms, that means looking for any abnormalities and imbalances, and then assessing how they are affecting the way that the person’s body moves and functions.
BENEFITS
Analysis of body posture parameters is important to evaluate postural changes in players and to prevent injuries. Optical measurement systems (including 3D photogrammetric systems) can be useful, especially due to their ability to reveal errors in body posture, as well as individual compensation patterns.
Body asymmetries may be caused by e.g. one-sided training loads. The implementation of exercises to reduce myofascial imbalances in the musculoskeletal system and core stability is vital when these imbalances result in altered posture.
HOW DOES IT WORK?
The client is barefoot and stands in a relaxed position/posture. There should be sufficient distance between the athlete and the assessing physiotherapist to adequately view the athlete's posture. The various components of the postural assessment is viewed anteriorly, posteriorly and from the side as well.
Examples of the various components that can be included in the postural assessment are:
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Head on neck position
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Symmetry - are the shoulders level from anterior and posterior view
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Roundedness -assessed anteriorly and from the side.
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Are the shoulders in internal rotation?
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Is there anterior translation of the humeral head?
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Assessment from the side - Is an increased or decreased Thoracic Hyperkyphosis present?
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General spinal curvature:
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Assessed posteriorly - Is there a spinal scoliosis present?
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Assessed from the side - Is there an increased lumbar lordosis or a flattened lumbar spine?
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Assessed from the back - Any visible muscle spasm? Hinging at the thoracolumbar junction?
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Assessed from the front, rear and side.
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Assess levels of ASIS and PSIS.
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Assess levels of iliac crests.
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Is pelvis in anterior or posterior tilt?
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Hips:
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Symmetry - are hips level.
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Are hips in internal or external rotation?
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Is there a visible gluteal bulk?
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Are the hips in extension or flexion - viewed from the side?
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are the knees in hyperextension when viewed from the side?
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Where possible, identify the overall postural type (e.g. Flat back, Sway back, Normal, Lordosis, Lordosis/Kyphosis) as this can provide clues to what structures are at risk.