Your posture is considered proper if your joints are not bent and your spine is aligned. A variety of ailments bring about problems with posture. The results of these conditions range from mild postural misalignment to severe disability. Most conditions are caused by problems with your spinal column.
Scoliosis
Scoliosis is a condition in which a person's spine is curved to the side. Scoliosis sufferers might exhibit uneven shoulders and uneven hips. According to the experts at MayoClinic.com, most cases of scoliosis are mild. But severe cases can cause disability. Scoliosis is treated with braces or with surgery in extreme cases.
Kyphosis
Kyphosis is a condition in which the forward curvature of your spine is more than 50 degrees. This condition is usually a result of degenerative diseases such as arthritis and osteoporosis, or trauma to the vertebrae. Kyphosis causes mild back pain, poor posture and the development of a hump. This condition can be treated with corrective exercise, back braces and surgery.
Herniated Disc
Damaged or herniated discs of your spinal column can result in poor posture. This condition can cause shooting pains in your legs, pain in your back, and a radiating aching pain that starts in your buttocks then gradually moves down your leg. Herniated or damaged discs are a result of degeneration as a result of aging, improper heavy lifting or trauma to your spinal column. This condition is treated with physical therapy, bed rest, time and modified movements. According to MayoClinic.com, 10 percent of people who have a herniated disc will at some point require surgery.
Infections
Infections of the central nervous system can cause poor posture. Bacterial, viral and fungal infections can cause damage to the nervous tissue in the central nervous system. This might result in fever, pain in the back, pain in the neck and loss of muscle tone. The loss of muscle tone will result in poor posture. These conditions can have fatal complications. They are treated with antibiotic, antiviral and antifungal medications. In some cases surgical intervention may also be required.
References
- MayoClinic.com: Scoliosis
- "Harrison's Principles of Internal Medicine 16th Edition"; Lawrence Madoff, James Macguire, Kenneth Brandt, Bruce Gillaind, Scott Thaier; 2005
- MayoClinic.com: Kyphosis
- MayoClinic: Herniated Disk
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