Proprioceptive Stimulation. An Effective Tool for Reversing Postural Distortions and Eliminating Chronic Pain
Prof/Dr Rothbart's Research Website
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Dental Imbalances Driven by the Foot
Reversing poor posture (postural distortions) in children over the age of 8-9 may require a multi-disciplinary approach even when the postural problem is initiated by abnormal foot motion.
In order to understand the inherent limitations of treating the foot only (e.g., Rothbarts Foot), a brief discussion of the pathodynamics engaging the feet, cervical spine, cranium and teeth is presented below.
Ascending pattern. Changes predominantly occur sequentially, from bottom to top.
- Rothbarts Foot or the PreClinical Clubfoot Deformity will drive the innominates anteriorly (externally)
- Anterior rotation of the innominates can drive the temporal bones into an anterior (internal) rotation, the more pronated foot being ipsilateral to the more anteriorly (internally) rotated temporal bone (Rothbart, 2008).
- Anterior (internal) rotation of the temporal bones can force the sphenoid bone into an extended and side bent position
- Loss of vertical facial dimension
- Narrowing of the Curve of Spee (dental arch) (See Photo Left below), which can crowd the teeth and, if severe enough
- 'Block out' the emergence of the primary cuspids (See Photo Right below)
Narrowing of the Curve Blocked out teeth
of Spee
The bite, in large measure, can be distorted by abnormal foot motion.
Anterior rotation of the temporal bones can place the sphenoid in extension which can narrow the Curve of Spee and push the maxilla forward (Class II Malocclusion)
- Forward Head Position
Other Considerations
1. Cervical imbalances
Displacement of the atlas on the axis can result from maxilla cants. This occurs because the maxilla's axis of rotation lies between C1 and C2.
This atlas displacement can drive the sacrum into nutation and maintain the anterior rotation of the innominates. Hence in the presence of this cervical imbalance, if treatment is only directed towards stabilizing the foot (e.g., Rothbarts Foot), the head forward position and anterior rotation of the innominates may persist.
This underpins the importance of (1) stabilizing the foot pathomechanics and (2) stabilizing the cranial and/or cervical imbalances.
2. Orthodontic Intervention
Braces should never be used until the posture is stable.
- If the teeth are straightened in the presence of a forward head position, the head position is locked and difficult to reverse.
4. Correction of a forward head position
Correspondence from Dentists in North America
References:
Rothbart BA 2008. Vertical Facial Dimensions Linked to Abnormal Foot Motion. Journal American Podiatric Medical Association, 98(3):01-08, May.
Rothbart BA 2008. Malocclusions Linked to Abnormal Foot Motion. Positive Health, Vol 151, October.
Rothbart BA 2006 Cranial Lesions Initiated by Abnormal Foot Motion. Health and Healing Wisdom (Price-Pottinger Nutrition Foundation Journal) Vol 30(1):6-7.
Prof/Dr Brian A Rothbart
Chronic Pain Elimination Specialist
Discovered the Rothbarts Foot Structure and the PreClinical Clubfoot Deformity
Developer of Rothbart Proprioceptive Therapy
Inventor and Designer of Rothbart Proprioceptive Insoles
Founder of International Academy of Rothbart Proprioceptive Therapy
Author of Forever Free From Chronic Pain
