Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 5, 2026

Assessment of the Efficacy of An Osteopathic Treatment in Infants with Biomechanical Impairments to Suckling
Published on: February 5, 2019
[Abnormal head posture is not equal to compensatory head posture].
1Clinical College of Ophthalmology of Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin Eye Hospital and Institute, Tianjin Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology and Visual Science, Tianjing 300020, China.
Abnormal head posture encompasses various conditions, but compensatory head posture specifically relates to extraocular muscle disorders. Compensatory postures aim to improve vision and binocularity.
Area of Science:
- Ophthalmology
- Neurology
- Orthopedics
Context:
- Abnormal head posture (AHP) is a complex clinical sign with diverse etiologies.
- Distinguishing between general AHP and compensatory head posture (CHP) is crucial for accurate diagnosis and management.
- CHP is specifically linked to underlying ocular motor or muscle disorders.
Purpose:
- To clarify the distinction between abnormal head posture and compensatory head posture.
- To elucidate the etiologies and diagnostic criteria for compensatory head posture.
- To highlight the visual and functional goals of compensatory head posture.
Summary:
- Abnormal head posture is a broad term for any deviation in head position.
- Compensatory head posture is a subset of AHP, specifically arising from extraocular muscle disorders.
- CHP aims to optimize visual acuity or achieve single binocular vision.
Impact:
- Improved understanding of head posture disorders.
- Enhanced diagnostic accuracy for conditions causing AHP and CHP.
- Facilitates targeted treatment strategies for patients with visual impairments due to head posture abnormalities.
Related Concept Videos
Anatomical Positions
The body is upright, facing forward, and standing erect.
The feet are parallel and flat on the floor.
The arms are hanging by the...
General Case of Eccentric Axial Loading
Consider a member subjected to equal and opposite forces that are applied along a line that does not coincide with the member's neutral axis. In unsymmetrical...
Muscles that Move the Head
The bilateral sternocleidomastoid, or SCM, and the suprahyoid and infrahyoid muscles are significant head flexors. The SCM muscles originate at the sternum and clavicle and attach to the mastoid process of the temporal bone. The SCM contracts bilaterally to bend the head forward, whereas...
Vertebral Column: Regions and Curvature
Regions of the Vertebral Column
In an adult, the spine is subdivided into five regions: the cervical, the thoracic, the lumbar, the sacral, and the coccygeal region. The spine initially develops as a series of 33 vertebrae; after 20 years of age, the nine bones in the sacral region, five sacral, and four coccygeal bones fuse to form...
Unsymmetric Bending
Eccentric Axial Loading in a Plane of Symmetry

