Thesis (Ph. D.)--Michigan State University, 2005. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 307-322). Also available online (PDF file) by a subscription to the set or by purchasing the individual file.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--Michigan State University, 2005. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 307-322)

M.Tech. (Chiropractic) / Aim: The aim of this study was to determine the effectiveness of chiropractic spinal manipulative therapy to the thoracic spine or stretch and strengthening exercises (stretching the pectoralis major muscle and strengthening the rhomboid, middle and inferior trapezius muscles), versus the combined treatment of chiropractic spinal manipulative therapy to the thoracic spine in conjunction with the stretch and strengthening exercises. This would then establish which treatment approach was the most effective in improving postural kyphosis with regards to a change in thoracic curvature over time. Method: A total of thirty female participants volunteered to take part in this study. All the participants were between the ages of twenty and thirty nine. The participants were randomly placed into one of three groups, each group consisted of ten participants. Group 1 received chiropractic spinal manipulative therapy to the thoracic spine. Group 2 received chiropractic spinal manipulative therapy to the thoracic spine as well as stretch and strengthening exercises i.e. stretching the pectoralis major muscles and strengthening the rhomboid, middle and inferior trapezius muscles. Group 3 received stretch and strengthening exercises. The stretch and strengthening exercises were performed in the consultation rooms to ensure that the participants were complying with the treatment and doing the exercises properly. Procedure: In this study group 1 participants received treatment once a week for 6 weeks. Groups 2 and 3 participants received 3 treatments a week for 6 weeks. Postural advice was given to all 3 groups. One final follow-up visit was done in the 7th week where no treatment was administered but only data collection was done. Objective data was recorded at the beginning of the first, fourth and seventh consultations for Group 1 and the first, tenth and nineteenth consultations for groups 2 and 3. Objective data included the Flexicurve® Ruler measurements for the angle of kyphosis. Visual analysis was done by taking lateral (sagittal) view photographs at the beginning of the initial and final consultations. Results: Statistical analysis performed included the non-parametric tests to determine if significant results were found over time. The Friedman and Wilcoxon Signed Rank tests were performed for the intragroup analysis and the Kruskall-Wallis test for the intergroup analysis. Statistical analysis revealed significant statistical changes for the intragroup results for all 3 groups. No significant statistical difference was found between the groups for the intergroup analysis. Conclusion: The study showed that all three treatment protocols for groups 1, 2, and 3 were effective. However, group 1 had not shown a great improvement in their postural kyphosis. Group 3 had shown a VII relatively good improvement in their posture. Group 2 had shown the best results with regards to improvement of the participants’ posture. Therefore in conclusion group 2 and 3 treatment protocols can be used effectively to treat postural kyphosis but group 2’s treatment protocol consisting of chiropractic spinal manipulative therapy to the thoracic spine in combination with stretch and strengthening exercises will yield the best results.

It is well establish that posture deformities are a common problem among children that is often ignored by parent and teachers. Posture deformities in children could be related to their socio-economic status, lifestyle, culture, tradition, environmental factors, as well as activity levels and are associated with numerous adverse health effects, which include lung and heart defects, indigestion and back pain. Children who experience back pain are at increased risk of having back pain as adults. The economic impact of back pain affects the industry, were back problems are the most expensive type of injury claim. The increase in spinal problems, such as lower back pain in children and adolescents, points to the need for continued screening. It is suggested that early detection of postural deviation could provide an improve chance for corrective remedies and posture development. On investigating the relevant literature it becomes clear that attempts to define the prevalence of posture deformities among children have focused on reporting selected deformities only. Consequently the literature contains insufficient information on posture deformities involving the entire musculoskeletal system, as well as the prevalence of posture deformities among black African people. The purpose of this study was firstly to determine the incidence of posture deviations among black African children in the North West Province and secondly to determine the difference in the prevalence of posture deformities between boys and girls. In a longitudinal study posture deformities including the entire musculoskeletal system were assessed in 251 schoolchildren (136 girls and 115 boys). Posture screening was done according to the New York Posture test and a posture grid. Subjects were evaluated in a standing position from the rear and lateral side. Foot deformities (flat foot) were also measured with the use of white chalk and a black board. Thereafter the "Adam's test" (forward bending test) were used for further scoliosis evaluation. The prevalence of posture deformities was reported to be high among black African schoolchildren. The incidence of lordosis (84%) and protruding abdomen (67%) was the highest, while twisted head (8%) was reported as the lowest. Gender difference in the prevalence of posture deformities was also found, with a higher incidence of posture deformities reported in girls (54%) as in boys (46%). / Thesis (M.Sc. (Human Movement Science))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2007.

Thesis (M.Sc. (Human Movement Science))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2007.

No description available.

It is well establish that posture deformities are a common problem among children that is often ignored by parent and teachers. Posture deformities in children could be related to their socio-economic status, lifestyle, culture, tradition, environmental factors, as well as activity levels and are associated with numerous adverse health effects, which include lung and heart defects, indigestion and back pain. Children who experience back pain are at increased risk of having back pain as adults. The economic impact of back pain affects the industry, were back problems are the most expensive type of injury claim. The increase in spinal problems, such as lower back pain in children and adolescents, points to the need for continued screening. It is suggested that early detection of postural deviation could provide an improve chance for corrective remedies and posture development. On investigating the relevant literature it becomes clear that attempts to define the prevalence of posture deformities among children have focused on reporting selected deformities only. Consequently the literature contains insufficient information on posture deformities involving the entire musculoskeletal system, as well as the prevalence of posture deformities among black African people. The purpose of this study was firstly to determine the incidence of posture deviations among black African children in the North West Province and secondly to determine the difference in the prevalence of posture deformities between boys and girls. In a longitudinal study posture deformities including the entire musculoskeletal system were assessed in 251 schoolchildren (136 girls and 115 boys). Posture screening was done according to the New York Posture test and a posture grid. Subjects were evaluated in a standing position from the rear and lateral side. Foot deformities (flat foot) were also measured with the use of white chalk and a black board. Thereafter the "Adam's test" (forward bending test) were used for further scoliosis evaluation. The prevalence of posture deformities was reported to be high among black African schoolchildren. The incidence of lordosis (84%) and protruding abdomen (67%) was the highest, while twisted head (8%) was reported as the lowest. Gender difference in the prevalence of posture deformities was also found, with a higher incidence of posture deformities reported in girls (54%) as in boys (46%). / Thesis (M.Sc. (Human Movement Science))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2007.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the changes in the parametres of the spine (total mobility of dorsolumbar spine and lumbar part of spine), to find out the changes of dynamic and isometric abdominal muscle endurance, dynamic and isometric back extensor muscle endurance, and isometric endurance of scapula muscle, the mobility of the shoulders and the pain severity in adolescents with Scheuermann disease and those who have postural kyphosis. 30 adolescents ( 16 boys and 14 girls ) with age of 13-17 years old were taking part in this study. Fifteen with Scheuermann’s disease went physiotherapy in rehabilitation center. The other fifteen with postural kyphosis did the same exercise programm at home. All of them exercised 22 days, 40 minutes a day. Such methods as spine flexibility measurement, Schober’s sign, tests for evaluating the strength of dynamic and isometric abdominal and back extensor muscle endurance, scapula muscle isometric endurance, shoulders mobility test, pain functional index and pain scale were used. CONCLUSION: After kinesitherapy treatment Patients with postural kyphosis had bigger mobility. But endurance of muscle strength increased more for the patients with Scheuermann‘s disease using kinesitherapy method.Pain Index and pain scale results after kinesitherapy dicreased more for the patients with Scheuermann‘s disease.

M.Tech. (Chiropractic) / Postural kyphosis of the thoracic spine is a common condition which affects a large percentage of the population. With an increase in anteriorly orientated activities, such as working on a computer, driving and studying, postural kyphosis has become more prevalent. Currently, the gold standard for the treatment of postural kyphosis is the stretching of the involved anterior musculature (pectoralis major and minor) and the strengthening of the involved posterior musculature (mid trapezius, rhomboids and levator scapulae). This involves the compliance of patients in the completion of exercises and stretching routines. This often resulted in poor outcomes as routines were performed irregularly or incorrectly. Although, if properly executed, this treatment protocol is effective, chiropractors, and other manual therapists, continue to search adjunctive modalities to improve the positive outcomes of their treatments. With the introduction of Kinesio® taping, the problem of patient compliance could be reduced. The tape is applied by the practitioner and simply left for several days. It has very little effect on the patient’s day to day activities and should continue to have positive impact on the involved musculature with no additional effort required from the participant. The benefits of chiropractic manipulation on the biomechanical relationship between a joint/s and linked musculature has long been recognised. However, very little research has been done to ascertain the direct benefits of chiropractic manipulation to the cervical and upper thoracic regions on postural kyphosis. This study will not only provide valuable information on these two modalities used individually, but also on the effectiveness of the combination of the two treatments. Method: This study was a comparative study consisting of three groups of ten participants. The method of treatment was determined by random group allocation. Group 1 received spinal manipulation to restriction(s) of the cervical and upper thoracic regions only. Group 2 received Kinesio® taping to the rhomboid muscle group only. Group 3 received the combination of spinal manipulation and Kinesio® taping. Subjective measurements consisted of the measurement of the thoracic kyphosis with the use of flexicurve ruler, a series of lateral view plumb line photographs and a set of secondary measurements consisting of three inter scapular measurements, one inter acromioclavicular measurement and two C7 to acromioclavicular measurements on each side.

Correct posture is the basis for normal development and function of chest box, extremities and internal organs. Irregular posture is one of the most widespread disorders of musculoskeletal system, which might be caused by the low level of culture and lack of education. It has an influence on children‘s health, physical and psychological well-being. Lack of assessment and delay of treatment might worsen situation and progress into complicated forms of disorders. Aim of the work: to evaluate posture of 11–12 years old children in sagittal and frontal planes and effects of physical therapy. Contingent: 96 11–12 years old children were participated in the first assessment: 59 girls and 37 boys. 64 children were participated in the second assessment: 33 girls and 31 boys. Methods: inspection, palpation, cirtometry, scoliometry, SPSS software. Results: Distribution of curves of column in frontal and sagittal planes after physical therapy were the same among boys and girls as well as children of 1’st and 2’nd group. Analyzing data of first and second assessments we can say, that physical therapy had no influence on boy’s kyphosis and lordosis, but it had a statistically significant positive effects on girl’s parameters of kyphosis and lordosis. Conclusions: posture disorders in frontal and sagittal planes are still widespread among schoolchildren. Physical therapy is very important for the correction of schoolchildren’s posture. Special physical exercises had to be used under... [to full text]