Paramorphisms
Paramorphisms are misalignments along the spinal column (see skeletal system) occurring in developmental age, but which may be corrected with specific exercises. When skeletal alterations cannot be corrected anymore, they are called «dysmorphisms», which are real diseases. They are as follows.
- Laid-back posture: it is due to the inability to hold the body upright against the force of gravity, which alters its shape. The subject’s head is tilted forward, he/she has protruding abdomen, droopy shoulders, flat feet, etc.
- Hyperkyphosis and hyperlordosis: they are abnormally excessive curvatures of the spine in the sagittal plane. Hyperkyfosis turns into a convex curvature of the spine, where as hyperlordosis is a forward pelvic tilt.
- Winged scapula: a winged scapula is a skeletal medical condition in which the shoulder blade protrudes from a person’s back in an abnormal position, due to the forward sliding of medial borders of the scapula on the ribcage, caused by a marked development of pectoral muscles at the expense of the dorsal ones.
- Flat feet: is a postural deformity in which the arches of the foot (medial, lateral and longitudinal) collapse due to a high body weight or to ligamentous laxity.
- Valgus/varus knee: in a valgus deformity of the knee, the distal part of the leg below the knee is deviated outward, resulting in a knock-kneed appearance. This condition can occur in childhood or adolescence and it can be treated with exercises and orthotics. Conversely, a varus deformity at the knee results in a bowlegged appearance, with the distal part of the leg deviated inward. It is a very common condition among young males (also in soccer players) and the elderly. It should be treated and monitored, in order to avoid more serious health problems.
- Scoliosis: scoliosis is a medical condition in which there is a sideways curve of the spine. It may be caused by poor posture, congenital deformities, conditions that affect the muscles, bones, and joints. If scoliosis can be treated and it does not involve vertebral rotations, it is just a scoliotic attitude. Scoliosis is usually diagnosed through observation of the patine while he/she is bending forward with arms stretched downward toward the floor and knees straight. This angle most clearly shows any scoliosis symptoms which present as asymmetry in the spine and/or trunk.
