Postural Analysis: Description of a Dedicated System

Abstract

Postural analysis is a fundamental tool for evaluating the neuromusculoskeletal structure of a subject. Although it is an important tool, a unique formal analysis process has not yet been determined. The aim of this work is to propose a postural analysis protocol that can be used for both initial investigations and ongoing monitoring of the effects of therapeutic treatment in the field. A second aim of this work, equally important in the opinion of the author, is to promote discussion with other practitioners so as to make continuous improvements in the proposed protocol to provide a tool that can serve the needs of specialists even more efficiently. The proposed system consists of four subsystems: medical history data, photographic references, overall observations, and tests. Even though the initial results are encouraging, additional use of the described analysis system is considered essential to improve the technique and the skills of the operator. In this light, specific requests and observations from other professionals are essential, and obtaining these requests and observations is one of the purposes of the present article, as initially declared. The proposed postural analysis system represents a good balance of various, often opposing needs, being easily completed and reasonably fast and repeatable, making it possible to compare time series data.