Post by Lαrα on Jul 2, 2014 1:17:30 GMT -8
Its very easy to forget about posture and its affects...Its so very important to have a correctly positioned seat and backrest and to sit correctly within your chair.
I have been reading several articles on this and it seems that so much emphasis is put on the neurological effects of Spinal Cord Injury but not enough importance is focused on this.
Musculoskeletal pain should also given attention too and incorrect seating posture can play a big factor in this. The skeleton, technically should be aligned as correctly as possible..Heck when you think about this...the spine is such a vital structure of the skeleton and stability and yet it is damaged and tampered with.
Posture and alignement is crucial!
It seems that many rehab places are still providing patients with these chairs that have seats that are parallel to the floor which is incorrect.
Jennifer Hastings was a physiotherapist for 13 years, she specialised in SCI rehabilitation and she also established the wheelchair seating clinics at both the VA and Harborview Medical Centers.
She has lectured and published widely on the subject and is recognized as a national expert.
She explains that many people with SCI (especially higher level injuries) slump back in their seat and sit with their hips forward. This offers them stability but she goes on to say that this way of seating will inevitably begin to be a cause of pain over a period of time.
Whether standing or sitting, proper postural alignment places the ears over the shoulders over the hips while maintaining normal spinal curves. This alignment is optimal because "it takes the least muscular work to maintain," Hastings explained. Less muscular work means less fatigue and pain and more functionality.
As seen in the diagram above: The normal spine curves out (toward the back) slightly in the thoracic (middle back) region and curves inward slightly in both the cervical and lumbar areas.
The images below shows proper ears-over-shoulders-over-hips alignment is achieved in this wheelchair configuration.
I know from personal experience i am always conscious to 'sit tall' and even when im in a chair. With a very numb butt that isnt evenly distributed with altered sensation i would have a tendency to sit more to one side which also would cause pain issues over time.
If you would like to read more click the Source
Related Threads that you may find interesting:
Seating and Posture Issues
Taking Care of your Shoulders
