Proprioceptive Therapy Shifts Muscle Tone Towards Homeostasis. A Technical Blog
I discovered that using Rothbart Proprioceptive Insoles on subjects with the Primus Metatarsus Supinatus Foot Structure shifts their muscle tonicity patterns back towards homeostasis (Biomechanics, 2005).
This research was part of a series of discoveries that ultimately led to a therapy that, in many cases, permanently eliminates chronic musculoskeletal pain without the use of drugs or surgery. This therapy is called Rothbart Proprioceptive Therapy, in which I use a series of tests, proprietary computer analyses, custom designed Rothbart Proprioceptive Insoles and ongoing monitoring to address all of the changes in the patients condition and necessary changes in prescriptions, until the chronic muscle and/or joint pain is eliminated.
Here is an redacted excerpt from the paper, "Tactile therapy shifts patients toward equilibrium" published in Biomechanics (Rothbart, 2005), that ultimately led to the development of Rothbart Proprioceptive Therapy:
"A foot in which the first metatarsal is structurally inverted and elevated relative to the second metatarsal is termed primus metatarsus supinatus (PMs). Its etiology has been ascribed to a lack of torsional development within the head and neck of the talus (1) Sewell (2) was the first to publish, early in the last century, on the substantial variances in the torsion (twist) of the talar head relative to its body. Tax (3) and Hlavac (4) have proposed that the twist in the talar head determines the structural position of the forefoot. Incomplete torsional development within the talar head may structurally position the first metatarsal and hallux in a supinatus position (5). Frequently this foot type can be visually identified by its deep first web space. Clinically, however, it is diagnosed by computing the PMs angle. Straus (6) has reported alpha angles ranging from 26 degrees to 43 degrees, McPoil et al (7) from 24 degrees to 51 degrees , and Sarrafian from 30 degrees to 65 degrees .
Clinically, two distinct patterns of muscle compensatory patterns are seen in the PMs foot: bracing (hypertonus) and releasing (hypotonus)
Patients with hypertonus tend to display a cavus arch with a plantar-flexed first metatarsal when not weight-bearing and contracted toes when weight-bearing. Wear patterns for bracers tend to be on the lateral heel. Typically their PMs values are below 20 mm (distance between the ground and first metatarsal when the standing foot is placed in its anatomical neutral position).
Patients with hypotonus tend to display a "functional flat foot" that increases in length or width (or both) on weight-bearing. Medial heel wear patterns are characteristic. Typically their PMs values are above 19 mm.
The terms bracing and releasing are not synonymous with foot supination or pronation respectively. Bracers are commonly diagnosed as hyperpronators during evaluation for gait perturbations. Nor do these terms reflect flexibility. Many bracers are able to touch their toes without bending their knees.
The Cuernavaca study
The objective of this study was to determine whether foot tonus in the PMs foot is altered by tactile stimulation.
This paper, published in the Journal of Biomechanics, is available for download below (Rothbart, 2005).
Professor/Dr. Brian A Rothbart
Chronic Pain Elimination Specialist
Discovered the Rothbarts Foot and PreClinical Clubfoot Deformity
Developer of Rothbart Proprioceptive Therapy
Designer of Rothbart Proprioceptive Insoles
Founder of International Academy of Rothbart Proprioceptive Therapy
Author of Forever Free From Chronic Pain
Sign Up Now to get your free chapter from Professor Rothbart's book, Forever Free From Chronic Pain
References:
1. Rothbart BA 2005. Tactile therapy shirts patients toward equilibrium. Biomechanics. Vol XII, No 10:61-68.
2. Sewell RS. A study of the astragalus (talus). Part IV. J Anat Physiol 1906;40:152. 3. Tax HR. Podopediatrics. Baltimore: Williams & Wilkins, 1980.
4. Hlavac HF. Compensated forefoot varus. J Am Podiatr Med Assoc 1970;60(6):229-233.
5. Rothbart BA, 2002. Medial Column Foot Systems: An Innovative Tool for Improving Posture. Journal of Bodywork and Movement Therapies (6)1:37-46
6. Straus WL. Growth of the human foot and its evolutionary significance. Contributions in Embryology. Washington, DC: Carnegie Institution of Washington, 1927;19:95.
7. McPoil T, Cameron JA, Adrian MJ. Anatomical characteristics of the talus in relation to forefoot deformities. J Am Podiatr Med Assoc 1987;77(2):
Posted by rothbart at 3/28/2009 7:59 AM 
Categories: Biomechanics (Technical)
Tags: Cuernavaca Study Muscle Tone Proprioceptive Insoles Homeostasis Rothbart Proprioceptive Therapy
Categories: Biomechanics (Technical)
Tags: Cuernavaca Study Muscle Tone Proprioceptive Insoles Homeostasis Rothbart Proprioceptive Therapy
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