PostureJac Blog

The PostureJac was conceived by Dr. Makofsky after over 30 years of experience in orthopaedic physical therapy.        It is a unique device that emphasizes the lifting action in healthy posture.     Carrying heavy loads, especially above your shoulders requires a lifting against the load to avoid sagging.    The  average head, weighing from 10 – 14 pounds, is not sitting on a pillar but a supple frame that articulates and twists.     This kind of weight has the potential to compress and collapse the structure if it is not supported.      The lifting action works against the downward pressure  from the weight of the head alone.

Throughout the ages people have been carrying more than just the weight of their head on their shoulders.     Some of those weights are astonishing.     Why doesn’t their alignment collapse under the load?      The answer seems to be in the spinal lifting vs. bracing.      Structures involved; muscles, ligaments, tendons, connective tissue, should be mobile, strong and balanced.

This section of the blog is dedicated to the explanation of Dr. Makofsky’s spinal corkscrew principle and the use of the PostureJac to develop posture that is balanced, dynamic and  flexible.     The second edition of his textbook Spinal Manual Therapy, An Introduction to Soft Tissue Mobilization, Spinal Manipulation, Therapeutic and Home Exercises is due for publication in fall 2009.   We are publishing the portions of the chapter titled Posture, Stability and the Posturejac each week.      This series will be worth following for the professional care giver.