postural

pos·ture

P0475300 (pŏs′chər)n.1. a. A position of a person's body or body parts: a sitting posture; the posture of a supplicant.b. A characteristic way of bearing one's body; carriage: stooped posture.2. Zoology A position of an animal's body or body parts, especially for the purpose of communication: a dog's submissive posture.3. Relative placement or arrangement: the posture of the buildings on the land.4. A condition or state under certain circumstances: the nation's posture in the world economy.5. a. An attitude or way of behaving, especially when adopted to have an effect on others: assumed a posture of angry defiance.b. An approach or policy with regard to something: adjusting the government's defense posture.v. pos·tured, pos·tur·ing, pos·tures v.intr.1. To assume a certain, often exaggerated body position; pose.2. To assume a certain attitude or behave in a certain way, especially to make an impression or gain an advantage: "They postured as Southern Loyalists to win the support of ex-Confederates" (James M. Smallwood).3. Zoology To assume a certain position of the body or of body parts, often as part of a display.v.tr.1. To put into a specific posture; pose: The photographer postured the model.2. To place in a certain arrangement or condition: an army that was postured for defense.

[French, from Italian postura, from Latin positūra, position, from positus, past participle of pōnere, to place; see apo- in Indo-European roots.]

pos′tur·al adj.pos′tur·er, pos′tur·ist n.Synonyms: posture, attitude, carriage, pose¹, stance
These nouns denote a position of the body and limbs: erect posture; an attitude of prayer; dignified carriage; a reclining pose; an athlete's alert stance.

Thesaurus

Adj.

postural - of or relating to or involving posture; "postural exercises"

Translations

postural

[pos´chur-al] pertaining to posture or position.postural drainage a technique in which the patient assumes one or more positions that will facilitate the drainage of secretions from the bronchial airways. The procedure uses gravity to move secretions toward the trachea, where they can be coughed up more easily. Choice of position is based on radiologic studies and auscultatory evidence of pooled secretions. Variations of the most effective position are adapted to the patient's general physical condition, tolerance, and pulmonary status.
External manipulation of the thorax includes percussion (or “clapping,”) and vibration, often done in conjunction with postural drainage; they may be done either manually or with mechanical devices. Percussion involves rhythmic striking of the chest wall over the area being drained. The manual method is done with hands cupped, fingers flexed, and thumbs held tightly against index fingers. If done properly, a hollow sound is heard and there is no discomfort to the patient.
Vibration is done immediately after percussion and is directed to the same area. While the patient performs a prolonged exhalation through pursed lips, the therapist presses the flat of the hands or the mechanical device against the thorax in a downward movement toward the midline of the body. This is repeated four or five times. While neither percussion nor vibration is a difficult technique to master, anyone attempting to assist the patient in this manner should have instruction and practice beforehand. The purpose of both activities is to dislodge plugs of mucus, allowing air to penetrate behind them and thus aid in their removal.
The American Association for Respiratory Care has published clinical guidelines, which are available on their web site at http://www.aarc.org. These indicate that bronchospasm is sometimes a complication of external manipulation of the thorax.

pos·tur·al

(pos'tyūr-ăl, pos'cher-ăl), Relating to or affected by posture.

pos·tur·al

(pos'chŭr-ăl) Relating to or affected by posture.