You are here:About>Health>Back & Neck Pain> Posture> Ideal Alignment - Glossary Definition for Standard Posture
About.comBack & Neck Pain
Newsletters & RSSEmail to a friendSubmit to Digg

"Ideal Alignment"

From Anne Asher,
Your Guide to Back & Neck Pain.
FREE Newsletter. Sign Up Now!
About.com Health's Disease and Condition content is reviewed by our Medical Review Board
Definition: Ideal alignment is a balanced posture in which positioning is centered and relaxed for all the joints of the body. With joints in non-awkward positions, muscles relax, and unnecessary tension can be released.

Ideal alignment is the most mechanically efficient positioning for the body.

Ideal alignment uses a plumb line to compare the relative positions of the:

  • ears
  • shoulders
  • spine
  • hips
  • knees
  • ankles
  • feet

If these structures are not lined up with the plumb line, there are likely to be muscular imbalances that can be addressed by stretching, strengthening, physical therapy, and other treatments.

Also Known As: standard posture
 All Topics | Email Article | | |
Advertising Info | News & Events | Work at About | SiteMap | Reprints | HelpOur Story | Be a Guide
More from About, Inc.: Calorie Count Plus | UCompareHealthCare
User Agreement | Ethics Policy | Patent Info. | Corrections | Privacy Policy
©2008 About, Inc., A part of The New York Times Company. All rights reserved.