More individuals, therapists, and physicians are beginning to see the significance of POSTURE, especially as it relates to pain-free function and health in general.
Even though a general knowledge of the importance of good spinal position has been taught in the arts, science and western medicine has virtually abandoned any effort to actually treat postural problems.
Modern chiropractors identify, document and treat excessive spinal curvatures. Unfortunately the adjustment techniques they employ are only temporary. Often, the patient can feel his/her body fall back out of alignment as soon as they stand up. The pull of gravity that is ever present and very strong, soon reverses any benefit of the adjustment therapy.
Often the difference between good and bad posture is not even recognized by patients or physicians.
Can you see the difference?
Free Consultation:Call 800-558-4382 or E-Mail.The only opinion, backed by a treatment program, that actually works.
When one reads the many pages on posture published over the internet, it becomes apparent that posture truly is directly related to many aspects of personal health.
Why is it then that physicians fail to address this important barometer of health? Why is it that treatment is directed at the symptoms of poor Posture rather than poor posture its self? Perhaps the reason western medicine abandoned any real effort to treat posture is because efforts to do so were incapable of producing any long term change or benefit. I think physicians realize that posture is correlated with general health and chronic pain, but they are helpless to do anything about it.
Exercises, braces, and chiropractic adjustments are currently used to improve posture. Unfortunately, none of these common treatments produce any significant long term benefits or noticeable change.
What is Posture? Is it related to health? Is it even important?
It is becoming clear to many that posture is related to chronic pain and general health. Current medical care endorses use of new medications to treat osteoporosis. Additionally, many patients take Calcium to naturally compensate for and hopefully prevent osteoporosis. When physicians prescribe and patients take these medications and supplements, it is because they recognize the correlation between demineralization of the bones, poor body posture, and general health. They believe if they can strengthen the bone and maintain ample supply of calcium to the nerve tissue, it will restore vitality to the spine. When physicians prescribe physical therapy and even braces, they do so because they believe that a weakness in the spine is causing chronic medical conditions. What is not yet understood by most physicians is that poor body posture causes both the osteoporosis and the back pain, not the other way around. If they understood that posture was causative, they would waste little time pursuing treatment focused on one or two signs and symptoms of the overall problem.
The study of human body mechanics, and their ultimate role in posture, is currently being researched as the field of biomechanics. Biomechanical principles teach closed kinetic chain theory. These theories maintain that when standing, pronation of the foot results in internal rotation of the legs, excessive pelvic tilt, increased curvature of the spine, and ultimately poor posture. Researchers using sophisticated force plates and computerized software are trying to understand what is happening to the joints and muscles of our body as we stand , walk, and run. Unfortunately, with more than 20 years of research in this new field, little consensus exists as to how one can change, limit or control the forces that naturally tear down posture as we age.
The science behind Yoga teaches sitting techniques that stabilize the pelvis horizontally. When breathing techniques are applied to a horizontal pelvis, spinal curvature is reduced and the spine becomes much straighter. These practices involve time consuming sitting postures and are not generally compatible with the ambulatory life style of modern life. Reportedly, some of the masters in these disciplines have managed to stay quite healthy and even extend death to well into their hundreds. Not quite the length of time that biblical prophets were described to have lived, but better than the life expectancy attributed to modern science and medicine.
Osteopathic and Chiropractic medicine have become very popular in the last few decades, and to me, are modern evidence of the importance of spinal curvature and posture as they relate to health. Many different exercise programs selectively strengthen the very muscles necessary to counteract the forces that destroy human posture. The real problem is not so much if any of these techniques help to improve posture, but how much they actually help.
Even with regular practice of yoga and exercise along with frequent use of braces and medication, postural breakdown continues. Any treatment that could successfully alter the natural progression of posture, visualized above, must address the powerful and destructive effect that gravity has on human posture.
What causes poor body posture as we age?
Most scientists will tell you it is gravity, and I definitely agree. Physics teaches us that Force equals Mass times Acceleration, F = MA. The acceleration of gravity multiplied by our body weight equals the force that pulls posture towards the ground. Gravity obviously remains constant, but as we age and get more body mass, the actual force that is applied to our skeletal structure increases. By the time most of us reach the age of 14, the force that must be supported by our lower extremities ( hip, knee, ankle, foot) is too great, and posture begins to breakdown. Gravity pronates the foot, internally rotates our lower extremities, tilts our pelvis forward, and increases spinal curvature. These destructive forces on posture that increase as we get older are explained by this basic law of physics. Up to now science has not defined all of the math involved, but it is clear that these destructive forces occur every time we stand on our feet.
Is deteriorating posture an inevitable part of aging?
Logic would tell you that posture progressively deteriorates in everyone as we age. In fact, anyone who might dare suggest otherwise would rightfully be viewed with a lot of skepticism. Even though the importance of good posture has been recognized and depicted in the writings and drawings of many ancient civilizations, no one has developed anything that can reverse the postural changes associated with aging.
I am Dr. Brent Jarrett. I completed my pre-med in Utah, then graduated from the Pennsylvania College of Podiatric Medicine. After a residency in Chicago in Podiatric Surgery, I returned to Utah to a practice of Podiatric Medicine and Surgery. I first became involved in research during my 3rd year of medical school, and published and received the gold medal Stickle award for outstanding Podiatric research, given by the American Podiatric Medical Association.
I have been well trained to understand and treat conditions of the foot and leg. I have a strong background in basic anatomy and human biomechanics, but before theta, little knowledge or specific training in postural related conditions or treatment. Before I understood theta, I did not realize how complicated and important posture really is.
I discovered theta, and it’s relationship to foot and body function in 1985. Shortly after I discovered these principles responsible for optimal foot and leg function, I realized what Theta did more than anything else was change posture. After treating more than eight thousand patients over 20 years with Theta, I now know that the postural changes observed above do NOT have to be an inevitable part of aging.
Theta-Orthotics
New research
Progressive Theta control will stabilize and reverse the cause of poor posture.
Theta relates directly to optimal posture. Treatment with high levels of theta angular correction will significantly change posture, with both immediate and long term effects. Theta control above 30 degrees has been described as walking yoga as it produces a stronger force to straighten the spine than yoga and it does it while standing, walking and even running.
My research has defined a process of postural change that I refer to as postural restructuring and control. It involves both physical and physiological changes that occur when theta angular correction is used during weight bearing activity. It causes supination of the foot and ankle with external rotation of the leg. This stabilizes the pelvis and provides a more horizontal foundation for the entire spine. Over all, I believe that the forces applied to the foot, created by body mass and gravity, are off set by the change in Theta correction. I believe that theta reduces the destructive effect gravity has on our human form. I know that theta can reverse even years of poor posture, and can cause a child to grow with perfect posture.
If you find it difficult to believe that something will actually help you stand up straight, you are consistent with most. As you probably know, much of life is truly what you choose to create, and now with Theta so is your Posture...
Click on these links to learn how you can stand up straight with Theta.
The foot bones are connected to the leg bones, which are connected to the back bones...
It may look and sound like magic, but in fact, it is just pure physics. F = MA
It is no accident that posture correlates directly with health and well being.
With the thousands of pages on the internet that discuss posture, you were brought here. If you walk away now in disbelief, so skeptical of Theta that you don’t take advantage of the knowledge you were brought here to learn, you will still be looking for help. At the very least you owe it to yourself to call, free of any charge, and speak with one of our Treatment specialists. (800-558-4382)
It is not a coincidence that pain and disability increase as optimal posture decreases.
