Global Posture Re-education (GPR) at Postura
What is GPR®?
Global Postural Re-Education (RPG®) is an innovative method of posture correction developed by the French physiotherapist Philippe E. Souchard. This method has been practised for more than 30 years by qualified doctors and physiotherapists and is now being introduced in the UK.
Along with Mr Souchard's unremitting effort in developing his method based on progressing knowledge of human biomechanics and motor coordination, all applied to postural re-education and neuromusculoskeletal rehabilitation, he also wrote 15 books in reference to the RPG® concepts. All books are originally written in French, and most of them were later published in Spanish, Portuguese and Italian.
Mr Souchard and his team have lectured on the method in France, Belgium, Spain, Italy, Belgium, Portugal, Canada, Brazil, and Argentina. Currently there are more than 10,000 doctors and physiotherapists qualified in this method.
The RPG® deploys itself for its coherent principles based on biomechanics and neuromuscular coordination, and the effectiveness of its results. RPG® is a gentle, progressive and active method, which can be applied to patients of any age, respecting each person’s capability. RPG® is indicated not only for people presenting postural ailments, but also for any musculoskeletal disorder
The RPG® treatment is on a thorough analysis and observation of anatomy, physiology, and the way in which the person makes ill (evolution of symptoms). The RPG® bases on the individuality of each person in order to design a treatment plan, which starts from the presentation of symptoms and treats its causes as well as the consequences.
While the majority of classic physiotherapy modalities concentrate on a specific part of the body, with RPG® we treat the body as a whole in a global way, at the same time we grant an active role to the patient, who is also a protagonist in his/her recovery. This concept allows more efficient and long-lasting results.
The Founder: Philipe Souchard and our Physioherapist Daniela Ismerio (2011)
Research: Effectiveness of a 'Global Postural Reeducation' program for persistent low back pain: a non-randomized controlled trial
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Background The aim of this non-randomized controlled trial was to evaluate the effectiveness of a Global Postural Reeducation (GPR) program as compared to a Stabilization Exercise (SE) program in subjects with persistent low back pain (LBP) at short- and mid-term follow-up (ie. 3 and 6 months). Methods According to inclusion and exclusion criteria, 100 patients with a primary complaint of persistent LBP were enrolled in the study: 50 were allocated to the GPR group and 50 to the SE group. Primary outcome measures were Roland and Morris Disability Questionnaire (RMDQ) and Oswestry Disability Index (ODI). Secondary outcome measures were lumbar Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) and Fingertip-to-floor test (FFT). Data were collected at baseline and at 3/6 months by health care professionals unaware of the study. An intention to treat approach was used to analyze participants according to the group to which they were originally assigned. Results Of the 100 patients initially included in the study, 78 patients completed the study: 42 in the GPR group and 36 in the SE group. At baseline, the two groups did not differ significantly with respect to gender, age, BMI and outcome measures. Comparing the differences between groups at short- and mid-term follow-up, the GPR group revealed a significant reduction (from baseline) in all outcome measures with respect to the SE group. The ordered logistic regression model showed an increased likelihood of definitive improvement (reduction from baseline of at least 30% in RMDQ and VAS scores) for the GPR group compared to the SE group (OR 3.9, 95% CI 2.7 to 5.7). Conclusions Our findings suggest that a GPR intervention in subjects with persistent LBP induces a greater improvement on pain and disability as compared to a SE program. These results must be confirmed by further studies with higher methodological standards, including randomization, larger sample size, longer follow-up and subgrouping of the LBP subjects. Trial registration NCT00789204
Resource: http://trove.nla.gov.au/version/93461901