BLOG.ROTHBARTSITE.COM: The Four Postural Distortional Patterns

Rothbart Proprioceptive Therapy: The Research

Excerpts from over 40 years of research that led to the discovery of a previously unknown source of chronic muscle and joint pain and a solution to permanently eliminate it without drugs or surgery. To learn more go to http://www. RothbartSite.com

The Four Postural Distortional Patterns

In 1988, I published a paper in the Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics in which I linked foot twist (pronation) to torsional changes within the knees and pelvis. This study was based on 97 chronic pain patients in whom I correlated oblique patella (knee) tracking patterns and dysfunctional positioning of the pelvis to foot twist.

In 1994 and 1995 I published two papers in the American Journal of Pain Management in which I linked a distortion in posture (referred to as BioImplosion) to foot twist. The results of these two clinical studies, which involved nearly 300 patients, also supported my theory that poor posture was one of the major causes in the development of chronic knee pain (1994) and chronic low back pain (1995). (Foot twist leads to poor posture, poor posture leads to chronic pain in the knees and low back)

However, the cause of foot twist still remained a mystery until 2002, when I published a paper in the Journal of Bodywork and Movement Therapies in which I described two previously unknown embryological foot structures that resulted in foot twist: the Rothbarts Foot and the PreClinical Clubfoot Deformity.

Since 2002, I have been classifying the various postural distortional patterns that can result from either the Rothbarts Foot or the PreClinical Clubfoot Deformity. Four distinct patterns became apparent:

Flatback Postural Pattern
Kyphotic Postural Pattern
Lordotic Postural Pattern
Swayback Postural Pattern

Interesting enough, the Kyphotic and Lordotic Postural Patterns are most frequently seen in patients with the Rothbarts Foot. Whereas the Flatback and Swayback Postural Patterns are more frequently seen in patients with the PreClinical Clubfoot Deformity.

The classification of these four postural distortional patterns are based on the:

Position of the innominates on the sagittal plane,
Curves in the lower and upper back
Position of the head relative to the cervical spine

Below is a brief description of each of the four postural distortional patterns and the Normal or Ideal Pattern.

(1) - Flatback Postural Pattern

Flatback Postural Pattern is Characterized by:

Posteriorly positioned innominates
Decrease in the sacral (lower back) curve
Slight Increase in the thoracic (upper back) curve (convex backwards)
Forward head position

(2) - Kyphotic Postural Pattern

Kyphotic Postural Pattern is Characterized by:

Anteriorly positioned innominates
Increase in the sacral (lower back) curve (convex forwards)
Increase in the thoracic (upper back) curve (convex backwards)
Forward head position

(3) - Lordotic Postural Pattern

Lordotic Postural Pattern is Characterizied by:

Anteriorly positioned innominates
Increase in the sacral (lower back) curve (convex forward)
Normal thoracic (upper back) curve
Head in neutral position (auricle over outer ankle bone)

(4) - Swayback Postural Pattern

Swayback Postural Pattern is Characterized by:

Posteriorly positioned innominates
Decrease in the sacral (lower back) curve (flatten)
Increase in the thoracic (upper back) curve (convex backwards)
Head forward position

The Ideal (Normal) Postural Pattern

Ideal Postural Pattern is Characterized by:

Innominates in neutral position
Normal sacral (lower back) curve (slight convex forward)
Normal thoracic (upper back) curve (slight convex backward)
Head in neutral position (auricle over outer ankle bone)

References:

   Rothbart BA, Esterbrook L, 1988. Excessive Pronation: A Major Biomechanical Determinant in the Development of Chondromalacia and Pelvic Lists. Journal Manipulative Physiologic Therapeutics 11(5): 373-379.
   Rothbart BA, Yerratt M. 1994 An Innovative Mechanical Approach to Treating Chronic Knee Pain: A BioImplosion Model. The Pain Practitioner (formerly American Journal of Pain Management) 4(3): 13-18.
   Rothbart BA, Liley P, Hansen, el al 1995. Resolving Chronic Low Back Pain. The Foot Connection. The Pain Practitioner (formerly American Journal of Pain Management) 5(3): 84-89
   Rothbart BA, 2002. Medial Column Foot Systems: An Innovative Tool for Improving Posture. Journal of Bodywork and Movement Therapies (6)1:37-46
   Cordova N, Cordova PV 2009. Posture Confidence

Professor/Dr. Brian A. Rothbart
Chronic Pain Elimination Specialist
Discovered the Rothbarts Foot and the 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

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A special thanks to Natalie and Philip Cordova for granting me permission to use the above photographs that were published in their e-book: Posture Confidence. Their e-book contains a wealth of information on postural exercises; highly recommended.