Normal and abnormal postures in the sagittal plane and their relationship to low back pain

Posture assessment is an important part of a physiotherapist's evaluation in the progressive management of many types of patient. Deviations from what is considered to be a normal postural alignment have been blamed for the development of a number of musculoskeletal problems, including low back pain.Anatomical definitions of normal ‘good’ posture specify a relationship of the skeletal framework to the line of gravity, and it is important for the clinician to consider the inter-relationship of the various body segments and the resultant effects on the musculoskeletal system of any marked changes in one part of the body.This paper provides an overview of the literature on normal and abnormal posture and explores the effect of postural malalignment on low back pain.