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Postural Analysis Checklist

PLUMB LINE

Are there parts of the body forward or behind the

Are the head, thorax and pelvic aligned in relation

plumb line? (head, upper body, shoulders, pelvis, knees)

to each other?

SIDE VIEW check both sides

FRONT VIEW*

ankle joints

feet

neutral
plantar flexed
dorsiflexed

knees

neutral
hyperextended
flexed

lumbar spine

neutral
flat decreased convex curve anteriorly
excessive extension increased convex curve anteriorly
lower thoracic spine

neutral
flat decreased convex curve posteriorly
excessive flexion increased convex curve posteriorly
upper thoracic spine

neutral
flat decreased convex curve posteriorly
excessive flexion increased convex curve posteriorly

level
elevated
R
rotated clockwise
rotated counter-clockwise

neutral
medial rotation
lateral rotation

L
L

neutral
protracted
retracted
elevated
depressed
upwardly rotated
downwardly rotated
winging
anteriorly tipped

watch from the side:

are there flat areas?

where? _____
watch and palpate from the back:

are there any

imbalances?

where? _____

head

M AT W O R K & R E F O R M E R S U P P O RT M AT E R I A L S M A N U A L

sequencing through the spine

neutral
flat decreased convex curve anteriorly
excessive extension increased convex curve anteriorly

2198C

level
elevated
R
rotated clockwise
rotated counter-clockwise

neutral
medially rotated

cervical spine

neutral
forward
retracted

humeri

head

rotated clockwise
rotated counter-clockwise
neutral
tilted
R
shifted
R

scapulae

shoulders

level
elevated
depressed

pelvis

rib cage

neutral
elevated
R
shifted
R
rotated clockwise
rotated counter-clockwise

neutral
inverted/supinated
everted/pronated
femurs

neutral
knock-kneed genu valgum
bow-legged genu varum
pelvis

pelvis

neutral
anterior pelvic tilt
posterior pelvic tilt

feet

knees

hip joints

neutral
flexed
extended

neutral
inverted/supinated
everted/pronated

BACK VIEW

* Confirm from back if necessary.

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Bony Landmark Quick Reference

SIDE VIEW

check both sides

FRONT VIEW

confirm from back if necessary

ankle joints

feet

examine the angle of the ankle joint created by

distinguish where the weight is distributed on the foot

the front of the shin and of the foot

knees
examine alignment of femurs and tibias with feet together

knees
use greater trochanter and anterior to lateral malleolus

and relate to plumb line

pelvis
palpate each ASIS and compare

hip joints
palpate ASIS and PSIS to find the midpoint of the iliac crest
palpate greater trochanter and compare

palpate top of iliac crests with hands parallel to floor

rib cage
palpate ASIS and ribcage and compare

pelvis
palpate ASIS and PSIS and compare to horizontal plane

look at sternum to check for rotation

shoulders
lumbar spine
feel L1 to L5 to get an idea of the curvature

palpate along the clavicle to the acromion process

and compare

lower thoracic spine

head

feel T6 to T12 to get an idea of the curvature

examine alignment of cranium on cervical spine

upper thoracic spine

feel T1 to T6 to get an idea of the curvature

BACK VIEW

cervical spine
feel C1 to C7 to get an idea of the curvature

feet
distinguish where the weight is distributed on the foot

head
use the ear (auditory meatus) and acromion process

and relate to plumb line

examine common calcaneal tendons

femurs
palpate femoral condyles

pelvis
palpate each PSIS and compare
palpate top of iliac crests with hands parallel to floor

scapulae
palpate inferior angle, superior angle, medial border of

each scapula
compare distance to spinous process

humeri
legend:
= Look

palpate the olecranon process

sequencing through the spine

palpate either side of spine and feel for any irregular

= Palpate Bony Landmarks

2198C
2198

M AT W O R K & R E F O R M E R S U P P O RT M AT E R I A L S M A N U A L

curvature, rotation or imbalances