| When our body is in the standing | | | | Let's have a look at some of the more |
| position it is in a state of unsteady | | | | common biomechanical problems: |
| equilibrium because the base is small | | | | Problem 1. |
| and the centre of gravity is a long way | | | | It's the fashion not to tie trainers and |
| above it. That is why it has to be | | | | shoes up but this prevents the shoe from |
| balanced by keeping the centre of | | | | supporting the inside of the foot and |
| gravity over the base, otherwise the | | | | allows the foot to roll or 'pronate' too |
| body would fall over. | | | | much in standing and walking. |
| Equilibrium: The steadiness of the body | | | | This means the knee and the hip rolls |
| depends on the size of its base and the | | | | inwards too much which makes the inside |
| distance of the centre of gravity from | | | | calf and inside thigh muscle shorter. |
| that base. An object having a large base | | | | The iliotibial band can then rub against |
| and a low centre of gravity is not | | | | the outside knee giving pain. |
| easily upset. | | | | Further up, the bottom muscles become |
| The first thing necessary in order to | | | | too long and stop working as they should |
| accomplish good posture is to straighten | | | | do which puts added stress on the pelvis |
| the neck, keep the chin down and back. | | | | and low back joints. Before you know it |
| The second important thing is correct | | | | you have back pain, knee pain and ankle |
| deep breathing. | | | | pain! And all because of fashion! |
| The line of gravity in the fundamental | | | | Problem 2. |
| standing position falls in front of the | | | | Whether you drive 5 miles or 500 miles a |
| ears, and in front of the cervical and | | | | day your car seat is really important. |
| dorsal vertebrae, through the lumbar | | | | In many cars the base of the seat slopes |
| vertebrae, through the hip joint, and | | | | backwards. In fact some of the more |
| slightly in front of the ankle joint. | | | | expensive cars are the worst because |
| But this probably varies in individuals | | | | they want you to feel 'snug' and safe in |
| according to their build and height. | | | | the seat. However, this position forces |
| "Biomechanics is that branch of science | | | | your pelvis to sit too far backwards. |
| concerned with the understanding of the | | | | Once this happens your low back and |
| interrelationships of structure and | | | | upper back flex forward too much but |
| function of living beings with respect | | | | then your neck muscles have to work |
| to the kinematics and kinetics of | | | | really hard to stop your head from |
| motion" | | | | flexing too much and allow you to see |
| Poor Posture associated by the | | | | where you are going. This position then |
| following: | | | | forces your shoulder blades to stretch |
| Genetic disorders, Familial association, | | | | too far forwards and a large stress is |
| Irregular/no exercise, Bad habits when | | | | placed on both the front and the back of |
| sitting or standing, Carrying excess | | | | the shoulder. |
| loads, (School/shopping) Underweight | | | | The result is neck pain and /or upper or |
| Overweight (Inadequate diet) | | | | low back pain. This position can |
| Mental Attitude towards oneself. | | | | exacerbate sciatica as it is a big |
| Biomechanics is our way of describing | | | | stretch for the nerves. |
| how each bit of your body moves in | | | | The solution is to raise the back of the |
| relation to another bit. | | | | seat so it becomes more horizontal. Some |
| Our bodies are fantastic at compensating | | | | cars allow you to alter this angle but |
| when things are not quite perfect but | | | | if yours does not then sit on a small |
| unfortunately when we run out of | | | | cushion or buy a special wedge shape |
| compensations we usually end up with | | | | cushion that fits into the seat. |
| pain and stiffness. | | | | |