A postural defect is any abnormal position, congenital or acquired,
of the body, assumed in sitting, standing or walking. This leads to a
symmetrical development, causes structural changes, and as a sequel,
disturbance of function and organic life results.
Defects in posture are of very common occurrence. A perfect posture, in
fact, is somewhat rare. Considerable is being accomplished, especially
of late years, by the laity through various physical methods and
exercises to correct the many defects of position in sitting, standing
and walking. The originators of the many so-termed systems of exercises
have gone so far as to even advertise to cure various diseases of the
body as well as attempting to improve the normal tissues and structure.
Exercises, undoubtedly, have their place, particularly in the life of
those of sedentary habits. Most of us do not exercise enough, neither
do we as a rule get enough fresh air and pure water. But there are many
defects of the anatomical that mere gymnastics can not adjust. And
there are still other defects that gymnastics may decidedly aggravate.
In these cases the mechanism of the body has become so deranged and
disturbed that nothing short of actual readjustment can be effective.
In the consideration of postural defects there are a few points that
should be particularly emphasized. First, these defects may not only be
the result of laziness or carelessness, but of more frequent occurrence
is some previous strain or injury to the spinal column or other parts
of the body framework. Some defect of position or symmetry of the body
may easily follow as a result. Here gymnastic work may reduce the
defect to a minimum, but rarely can the compensatory forces of nature
entirely obliterate the structural disorder, unless assisted by actual,
specific readjustment. Second, in the examination and treatment of the
patient due attention should be given the symmetry and figure of the
body as a whole so that relation of the part to the whole and _vice
versa_ may be rightly proportioned. Remember that the spinal column
is only one part of the body outline, thus one should consider the
transverse section of the body in relation to the spinal column and
not the spinal column alone. In a word, correction of postural defects
implies both structural rearrangement and molding of the contour. Do
not make the mistake, for example, when correcting a deformity that
involves the chest, of paying attention to the spine alone, but take
into consideration the thorax as a whole of which the spine is only a
part.