Posture Series, Post #2: Fatigue Postures

Fatigue postures occur when people experience a lack of core strength and muscular endurance. Other posture deviations are structural and can't be corrected (scoliosis), but that doesn't mean we can't work on strengthening supporting muscles to reduce pain.

Do any of these postural deviations look familiar to you? Find a mirror, resume your natural position, and take a look.

A &B. LORDOSIS and KYPHOSIS: Notice that the hips are tilted forward. In kyphosis especially, this leads to a SHARP inward curve of the lower back, which cause the shoulders to round into a hunch. This is creates tight HIP FLEXORS, leads to tight CHEST MUSCLES, and shortens the front neck muscles, the NECK EXTENSORS. The pressure on the lower back with this imbalance leads to lower back pain, and can absolutely be corrected.

C. FLAT BACK: The hips are tilted posteriorly (backward), which shortens the rectus abdomens muscles, the upper-back muscles and neck extensors, and even goes so far as to shorten our ANKLE plantar flexors. Flat back is a perfect example of how weak core muscles can affect us from our heads down to our tippy toes.

D. SWAY BACK: Hamstrings are shortened, neck extensors are shortened, and the hops are tilted back.

E. SCOLIOSIS: L:lateral spinal curvature; this is a structural deviation that can't be corrected with exercise, but can be managed with strengthening supporting muscles.

As explained in the variations above, these postural deviations throw the muscles out of balance. Shortened muscles pull on the opposing muscles (think hamstrings vs quadriceps, etc.), which pulls everything out of its kinetic chain and leads to common aches and pains. If we start with the core strength as our foundation, we can then work on strengthening the other parts of the body. This improves overall function and mobility and has a profound effect on the way we feel.