What is Posture? A Review of the Literature in Search of a Definition

As a new science, posture suffers from a lack of definitions, which can often lead to misunderstandings. Looking up the definition of posture in the Oxford Dictionary one finds: “a position of a person’s body when standing or sitting.” This is a fair explanation for a dictionary but is unscientific in as far as it provides no inkling about the mechanisms underlying posture. Scientists have adopted similarly vague definitions for posture. Evidence shows that posture is linked to both postural control and gait and consequently to their respective neural mechanisms. Muscles and fascia are important elements in maintaining posture while joint positions also seem to influence it; a subluxation complex could be considered a local postural deviation. Additionally, emotions appear to alter posture and vice-a-versa. In conclusion, posture can be defined as the outcome of the overall position of the joints adopted to balance the skeletal segments against gravity in a given position, serving as a basis for movement and non-verbal communication, maintained by the connective tissue and muscles under the control of the nervous system. Defining “good” posture is hard because of the structural differences across genders and races. However, drawing on currently available knowledge it can be inferred that good posture maintains the symmetry of the body and allows the joints to be in a position that subjects them to less joint stress and muscle activity, facilitating body physiology towards more positive emotions.