Posturology is the relationship between the different skeletal segments, understood in the somatic globality, suitable for a convenient biomechanical relationship with the environment (P.M.Gagey).
Or we could define it more simply as that science that studies the habitual, static and dynamic attitude of man and animal, in neurophysiology, in pathology, in therapy.
It is important to underline that there is a lot of difference between posture and posturology, as the former is consequential to the latter.
The historical progenitor of modern posturology is considered to be Charles Bell who poses and asks this question:
"How does a man manage to maintain an upright or inclined posture against the wind blowing against him?!?" (Charles Bell 1837)
We must always remember that we, as men, seek well-being and balance at all times through a stable homeostatic posture.
The main factors that influence the efficiency of postural control are:
- the environmental system for its information interface
- the neurological system for the integration of information
- the biochemical-neuro-metabolic system, for the response of information including hormonal and immune ones
- the biomechanical system, for osteo-arthro-myofascial movement and coordination
- the psychic system due to the completely subjective variability of the reaction to stimuli
Clinical posturology has as its elective field of investigation the "Fine" Postural System, a cybernetic-autonomous system that captures every slightest variation in the position of the body in space and its environment through the visual, vestibular, tactile, plantar, proprioceptive, stomatognathic system.
This investigation takes place through neurological, clinical, biomechanical and instrumental diagnostic tests.
All this to better highlight the true cause of postural dysfunction and to be able to correct it, after manual manipulation if necessary, with what is called "postural reprogramming", or the "application of orthotic insoles, bytes / alph or ocular prisms with privileged action on the "Fine" Postural System.
In this way the postural patient reprograms himself autonomously, letting the "innate intelligence" of the body eliminate the dysfunction and promote the restoration of health.
As a "transversal" discipline, posturology, therefore the Posturologist turns out to be the key figure in a discourse of global rehabilitation: dentists gnathologists (if possible), kinesiologists, osteopaths, chiropractors, TOP experts, podiatrists, orthopedists, should all report to the Posturologist, this figure who coordinates the entire staff, and above all constantly monitors the corrections to verify that they have been memorized by the Postural Tonic System, and therefore by the Central Nervous System.
In recent years, clinical posturology is spreading like wildfire, and unfortunately many are improvising themselves as "posturologists" although they have very few skills.
Furthermore, the business that revolves around orthoses such as bytes and insoles is quite flourishing, so these corrections are applied very superficially and lightly.
The serious dentist should never apply a byte without having dealt with other specialists, and the same thing should do the serious podiatrist with proprioceptive insoles: all this is ethically incorrect but above all it is the patient who pays the price, and not only economically, as his already precarious postural situation could worsen dramatically.
Only team work can offer the patient the guarantee of correct postural reprogramming that is, above all, monitored over time.
