An eleven year old boy, known to have growing problems, has been referred by the paediatrician in connection with postural problems. After observation, it appeared to be a C scoliotic posture (left convex) with strong lumbar angular lordosis (concave back) and a rotational position of the spinal column. His left leg is approx. 1.5 cm shorter than the right leg. The boy appears to be very unsure of himself; he has trouble moving (his motoric is not retarded) and he is unable to face sporting activities. His mother is very worried. She says: ‘I keep saying something is wrong but no-one can find anything in particular.’
Therapy:
Build up according to Bugnet :
Forwards and backwards correction of the lordosis-kyphosis: See English book: Exercise B. Treatment of Lordosis and Kyphosis. (p. 50)
Sideways correction: See book English version: p. 42 and 51.
Rotational correction: See book English version: p. 52 and following.
During the exercises the corrective elements of the previous exercises are built-up. The weak and contracted muscles are treated. Initially the boy was very uncertain and cried when the exercises wouldn't immediately work.
Provide plenty of positive stimulus, limit programme to 1 or 2 exercises, repeated and slowly built-up. Good support at home from mother or father is necessary for the exercises. Exercise ten times once or twice a day. Advice: pay no further attention to the posture problems. A support sole has been put into the left shoe to correct the leg length difference.
Result:
The first week the boy complained of slight pain for short periods after the exercises. Within two months his mother reported that she found her son to be more self-assured. The therapy is supportive, that will say once a week in the beginning and tailing off to once a month and finally to just one check-up. To get a good result it is necessary to practice at home daily.
After six months the posture had improved and the boy enjoyed movement more: he does not mind school gym anymore. His self-confidence is increasing.
Postural resistance therapy has a favourable influence on the psyche: one becomes more able-bodied through the interplay of providing resistance and maintaining posture against exterior forces.
The boy has started doing judo and swimming.