IMPROVED POSTURE and MOTOR SKILLS

Plus increased ALERTNESS

POSTURE

The EquipoisE distributes pressure (or compressive force) from the spinal column to the thighs and lower legs easing the strain on the muscles, joints, tendons, intervertebral discs and associated nerve endings which combine to hold our back upright. This factor, in combination with the effect of the forward sloping seat opening out the hip/trunk angle and altering the centre of gravity, results in a significant improvement in posture.
 
 
This improved postural position (see right) together with the working of the "balance effect" brings about a more equitable distribution of work load to all relevant parts of the musculo skeletal system and enables us to take up a position of "relaxed awareness" instead of allowing certain muscles, discs, etc. to be subject to the continuous, unconscious strain of flexion.

MOTOR SKILLS

Not only does regular stimulation of the vestibular apparatus assist in maintaining alertness (see below), it also appears to influence certain learning centres of the brain. Neuroanatomist  D.L. Clark from Stanford engaged in research into the effects of movement on the development of balance and motor skills in children.

Working both with normal children and others affected either by Down's Syndrome or cerebral palsy he split the whole group at random giving the first group of children one hour a day's regular stimulation over a period of three months. The second group acted as a control. Tests on balance and motor skill co-ordination were carried out at the beginning and on completion of the trial. Scores of the children subject to stimulation increased by more than  20% compared to the control group. What was even more gratifying, however, was the discovery that the rate of improvement among the handicapped children was almost equal to that of the normal children.(4)

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INCREASED  ALERTNESS

The gentle back and forth movement of the body which occurs naturally when using the EquipoisE stimulates the tiny cilia lining the tubes of the vestibular apparatus ( balance mechanism of the inner ear) to help keep us alert. You will of course be familiar with what happens when a person is falling asleep in a chair and leans too far in one direction. This "alerting mechanism" will tend to jerk them awake . An interesting insight on this phenomenon is given in the 1989 Guinness Book of Records which cites a woman in England who stayed awake eight days and seven hours by rocking in a rocking chair ( i.e. stimulating her "alerting mechanism").   - - -   see also Ken's remarks at  comments.
 

The unique features of the EquipoisE combine to induce balanced movement, enhance posture, reduce the pressure on spinal vertebrae and diaphragm, relieve tension and improve breathing capacity and alertness - so producing a genuine sense of poise and equilibrium. 
 

Gregory. J.  Usher.
B.Ec., Dip.Ed., F.A.I.I., M.Psych.

REFERENCES

(1) Fisk J. W. (1987) "Your Painful Neck & Back",
                                      London, Arrow.
(2) Swan R. C. (1960) "The Therapeutic Value Of The Rocking Chair"
                                       The Lancet. (Vol.2) pp. 1441
(3) Dickinson J. (1974) "Proprioceptive Control of Human Movement"                               
                                        London,  Lepus.
(4) Clarke D. L. (1977) "Vestibular Stimulation Influence on Motor Development
                                          in Infants".      Science Vol. 196. pp 1228-29

ADDITIONAL REFERENCES

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