Let’s understand the basic concept of correct posture
We will briefly mention two of the most important points to be addressed before speaking about the mechanics of body muscles for proper posture. If you have difficulty understanding, you can lightly read through it.
- Cantilever Theory
The cantilever method is a method used by architects and civil engineers mainly to construct bridges. Starting from both ends, it is used to equilibrate the left and right sides of the bridge, and then sequentially connecting the segments to construct a bridge. In 1950, it is said that this method was applied in Korea when constructing Wonhyo Bridge, Kangdong Bridge, Gimpo Bridge and Seohae Bridge. The Cantilever method is also used when creating decks which is used on both sides (Free Cantilever Method: FCM) as shown Figure 2.
Figure 1) Free Cantilever Method used for bridge construction
Figure 2) Cantilever beam used in construction of deck
These cantilever structures can be found in many parts of the human body. The most affected area is the shoulder, and the deltoid or supraspinatus of the shoulder which supports the structure. It is also the first step in understanding and explaining why the clavicle bone is present or the cause of the collision between the shoulders and the muscles of the pregnant women due to musculoskeletal pain and changing posture. We will talk first about the spine that is the main axis. As shown in the lower MRI picture (Fig. 3), the body of the MRI photograph is drawn on a vertical line with respect to the spine and a line drawn 90 degrees to the line shows the cantilever shape used when constructing the bridge.
Figure 3) Red line = spine = column used for bridge; Yellow line = cantilever of both arms at bridge construction, MRI cross section of spine
The vertebrae are like the central pillars used to construct bridges and must be parallel to the weight of the internal organs due to gravity acting on the exterior abdominal wall and the weight of the muscle layers on the back of the vertebrae. Therefore, the muscles of the back side of the vertebrae shrinking strongly against the back of the clockwise torque will be generated to support the body. It is also the reason for the central axis, the axis of rotation theory that every single spine moves with its axis. Based on these axis, moving angles and axis positions are calculated and applied to scoliosis treatment or surgery.
The reason why we need to understand the right posture is to show why muscles are strong enough to make the right posture when talking about the dynamics of the muscles. If the back muscles do not have strength, the human body will have to lean forward towards the weight of more internal organs and it will be difficult to obtain the rotational force when the body is raised. As a result, the back muscles or the spine are overworked and the pain is caused by the use of other muscles or structures, resulting in a bad posture. These are the first steps in understanding how muscle pain in the back and thigh muscles becomes more difficult for those with abdominal obesity, and to find the corresponding musculoskeletal structures. Of course, even though the muscles behind the back are strong, does not mean that the back will not hurt. The function of the muscles in the abdomen and various musculoskeletal disorders are combined to functionally fulfill their role. The best structure is completed, but I will explain about the backache later.
- Balloon theory
A person’s body is connected by a large cylinder spaces that are balloon-shaped. You can think of the skull as one space, one space on the chest with heart and lungs, one space on the side where the internal organ is located, and one space on the side of the pelvis where the reproductive system is located. As each of these spaces pushes each other to a uniform pressure, the body forms a structure of one strong cylindrical balloon. If one of the strong cylinders loses muscle strength on either side, the size and position of the pressure are applied differently to the other cylinders (balloon space) to which they are connected. Therefore, due to the nature of the pressure trying to escape to the weak side, and a distortion occurs.
As a result, the structure of the musculoskeletal system that supports it may become unreasonable and may cause pain. In order to maintain this pressure, diaphragm training through breathing, back muscle training, shoulder muscle training (related to the thoracic spine) and abdominal muscle training are performed. These muscles create a high-pressure, powerful balloon pillar at the front of the spine, so that the dorsal muscles that make up the cantilever lift up the body, or less the burden of the spine that acts as a pillar when lifting something from the floor or give a lot of muscle to the muscles. These functions are gathered one by one, and become a great support to get the right posture.
Therefore, even if it is somewhat difficult, the reason for dealing with it here is that it is the first step to correct the bad posture which is caused by the bad habit which comes out from the unconscious and understand what kind of exercise or treatment is needed.
