Posture Theory 7 questions

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A flat chest confines the chest contents into a smaller space, and leaning forward stabs the tip of the sternum into the stomach.

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The Posture Theory ©

A TEST FOR STUDENTS

Tight waisted corsets of the nineteenth century permanently deformed women's chests from a barrel shape to a funnel shape. The women suffered from palpitations, breathlessness, severe indigestion, and fatigue, and would faint frequently, especially if they exerted themselves.

They relieved their fainting spells by unlacing their corsert and resting in a chaise lounge.

If you can answer the following 7 questions correctly you will have a good understanding of The Posture Theory

Questions:

1. What are the 6 main symptoms of Da Costa's Syndrome

2. What factors produced the idea that the patients had a fear of imaginary illness.

3. What is the difference between the Ancient Greek theory on hypochondria, and the 1980 Posture Theory.

4. How does poor posture cause chronic fatigue, and why is the symptom then brought on by vigorous exertion.

5. How does chest shape influence symptoms.

6. Name 6 other factors which contribute to the compression of the upper abdomen and make symptoms more likely to develop.

7. Why is the link between posture and symptoms obscure.

Answers:

1. Chest pains, palpitations, breathlessness, faintness and fatigue in relation to exertion, and upper abdominal pain.

2. Because the symptoms exist in the absence of any evidence of disease and are similar to those of heart disease, so it was thought that the patients had a fear of imaginary heart disease.

3. The Ancient Greeks believed that the symptoms of hypochondria had their origin in the upper abdomen (below the rib cartilages), and The Posture Theory shows how they are caused by postural pressure on the upper abdomen.

4. Leaning forward with a stooped spine compresses the air and blood vessels in the chest cavity and slows the blood flow between the feet and the brain to cause faintness and fatigue in the early stages, but ultimately the efficiency of blood flow becomes impaired, so that there is not sufficient flow to maintain the full requirements of physical exertion, especially vigorous exertion.

5. When a person with a normal, large, or barrel shaped chest leans forward the breastbone goes over and around the abdominal cavity, and the contents can be displaced upwards, but when a person with a flat chest leans forward the chest buckles at the midriff and compresses backwards, and that increases the pressure inside the chest and restricts the upward displacement of the abdominal contents.

6. A stooped spine (kyphosis), sideways curvature of the spine, a thin physique, sedentary work involving repetitive leaning toward a desk, tight belts or corsets, and the enlarging womb of pregnancy.

7. Because of subtleties and delays between postural movements and symptoms. For example, for people with stooped spines, slouching takes the strain off the spinal muscles, and feels relaxing, but it transfers the weight of the head and shoulders to the front of the body, but symptoms may not be noticed until several hours later, and chronic problems may take many years to develop. There is also no obvious evidence of disease or injury to account for the symptoms, so it is a matter of asking why people with stooped spines are more likely to have the symptoms, and looking at The Posture Theory Diagram and seeing what effect that physique would have.

THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THE SYMPTOMS OF THE POSTURE SYNDROME, HEART DISEASE, AND EMOTION

SYMPTOM	THE POSTURE SYNDROME	HEART DISEASE DISEASE	EMOTION
CHEST PAINS	Sharp brief stabbing pains occurring between the lower ribs, usually on the left side. They seem to occur randomly for no obvious reason while a person is sitting in a lounge chair, or reading a newspaper. Dull aches occurring anywhere along the breastbone, sometimes occurring as they bob up and down while jogging along beach sand. Severe cramping pains in the muscles of both far sides of the chest, usually brought on by some kind of muscle strain, such as cramping a car engine.	A squeezing sensation behind the breastbone, sometimes radiating to the throat, arm, or hand. This occurs in relation to exercise such as every one hundred yards as they walk along the street, and is relieved each time by stopping to rest for a minute or two.	???
PALPITATIONS	An accelerating pulse rate sometimes associated with postural movements such as laying on the back to go to sleep at night, relieved by sitting before laying. Violent rapid and pounding heart when sprinting for 20 yards, and associated with faintness, dizziness, and breathlessness. In cases of very vigorous exercise the symptoms can come on rapidly and persist for 15 or more minutes afterwards, and make it impractical to do any more exercise for a week. Occasional disturbances to the rhythm of the heart sometimes associated with postural movements.	Does not necessariy involve a rapid heart rate, but more likely disturbances to the rhythmm of the heart which may or may not be noticed by the patient.	A rapid pounding of the heart experienced in association with anticipation, excitement or fear, as affects some actors just before going on stage, as seen in stagefright.
BREATHLESSNESS	A feeling as if not being able to get a full breath, which prompts the person to breath deeply and forcefully, as if against an obstruction. Two or three, or sometimes more deep breaths in succession may be required to get a sense of full breath. This occurss randomly every twenty minutes, or once a day or week etc. and occurs regularly during exercise such as jogging, where the person may have to take two or three forced deep breaths in a row every twenty yards or so. The symptom can be much more pronounced and prolonged after sudden rapid exertion when it is accompanied by palpitations, faintness, dizziness, extreme restlessness and fatigue. It is also sometimes associated with leaning forward and tends to occur more often during cold weather. Also called suspiritory breathlessness.	The tendency to puff and pant, and to feel breathless or puffed out after walking or exercising. Also seen in obesity, and lung diseases, and in association with a lack of exercise which results in a lack of physical fitness.	Prolonged, rapid, and deep breathing which can cause a sense of faintness, and is brought on by fear, panic, or excitement. Also called hyperventilation
FAINTNESS AND DIZZINESS	Someimes associated with standing up too suddenly, or by leaning toward a desk, or by stooping, and especially by squatting, and sometimes by bending the neck to look up at high shelves. Also brought on by short bouts of rapid or vigorous exertion and then usually associated with palpitations and breathlessness.	Many forms of heart disease do not involve faintness or fainting.	A sense of faintness or actual fainting in relation to anticipation, excitement, or fear, or suddenly learning of bad news etc.
FATIGUE	Usually involves a disturbance to sleep patterns with insomnia at night, broken sleep, and tiredness at changeable intervals throughout the day. Also physical fatigue in relation to exertion, with hyperactivity, extreme restlessness, and difficulty sitting still or resting afterwards.	Some types of heart disease, such as angina, do not involve fatigue. In other cases there may be general lethargy.	The tendency to sleep in during the morning due to a lack of motivation in getting out of bed, because of lack of enjoyment in life associated with depression.
ABDOMINAL PAIN	A gnawing pain occupying an area tdhe size of a twenty cent coin in the middle of the upper abdomen just below the tip of the breastbone. The aggravating factors are not always consistent, but occur commonly enough to be identified, and It can be induced by leaning toward a desk, especially repeatedly, or by leaning forward to tie up shoe laces, or by stooping to dig in the garden. Sometimes it can be induced by stretching up and back or sideways. (by twisting the torso. Often associated with a wide vriety of numerous other pains in the abdomen.	Some heart attack victims report a sensation similar to heartburn which is otherwise caused by the leakage of stomach acid into the foodpipe behind the heart.	Patients with gastric or duodenal ulcer report that their pain is brought on or aggravated by worry. It seems to be also aggravated by spicy or acidic foods.

A reference from history: All crooked or constrained bodily positions affect respiration injuriously. Reading, writing, sitting, standing, speaking, and working with the trunk of the body bent forward are extremely hurtful by overstretching the muscles of the back, compressing the lungs, and pushing downwards and backwards the stomach, bowels, and abdominal muscles. Reference: George Black, M.B., Edinburgh, (1910), The Doctor at Home and Nurse's Guide-Book, revised edition, Ward, Lock & Co., Limited, London, Melbourne and Toronto. pages 77-78.