A postural correction program for forward head, kyphosis, and increased lumbar lordosis should include all of the following EXCEPT:

A postural correction program for forward head, kyphosis, and increased lumbar lordosis should include all of the following EXCEPT:

• A. Lengthening the short suboccipital muscles.
• B. Lengthening the lumbar erector spinae muscles.
• C. Strengthening the scapular protractors.
• D. Strengthening the thoracic erector spinae muscles.

Answer: (C)

A key idea here is that correcting forward head, kyphosis, and increased lumbar lordosis involves both lengthening tight muscles and strengthening those that oppose the postural faults. Lengthening the short suboccipital muscles helps reduce forward head by decreasing the forward tilt of the head on the cervical spine. Lengthening the lumbar erector spinae helps lessen the excessive lumbar extension seen with increased lordosis. Strengthening the thoracic erector spinae supports improved thoracic extension to counteract kyphosis. For the shoulder girdle, the cue is to enhance scapular retraction to bring the shoulder blades toward a more neutral position, which counteracts protraction and maintains better alignment. Strengthening scapular protractors would push the scapula further forward, worsening the protracted, kyphotic posture, so that approach isn’t included in a corrective program.

A key idea here is that correcting forward head, kyphosis, and increased lumbar lordosis involves both lengthening tight muscles and strengthening those that oppose the postural faults. Lengthening the short suboccipital muscles helps reduce forward head by decreasing the forward tilt of the head on the cervical spine. Lengthening the lumbar erector spinae helps lessen the excessive lumbar extension seen with increased lordosis. Strengthening the thoracic erector spinae supports improved thoracic extension to counteract kyphosis. For the shoulder girdle, the cue is to enhance scapular retraction to bring the shoulder blades toward a more neutral position, which counteracts protraction and maintains better alignment. Strengthening scapular protractors would push the scapula further forward, worsening the protracted, kyphotic posture, so that approach isn’t included in a corrective program.