The concept of the Brunkow method

is to achieve an axial correction of the spinal column and to promote the physiological realignment of the torso. The extremities (arms and legs) are placed in a specific static position. The hands and feet are then tensed in a particular way as if the patient were bracing himself against an immovable object. This bracing action transfers the resulting muscle tension to the torso causing an involuntary straightening of the trunk and an isometric whole-body contraction. The effect can be intensified by getting the patient to carry out movements while the feet and hands remain in the characteristic braced positions.

Effects of the Brunkow method:

Co-contraction:
Agonists and antagonists contract equally. This helps to stabilise joints and to achieve the therapeutic goal of a stabilised axial alignment of the spine and a physiological body posture.

Muscle tone regulation:
The tone of the entire bodily muscle system is modified to strengthen and stabilise the postural muscles. These long-term improvements promote physiologically correct postural and kinetic patterns.

Retraining and correction of incorrect posture, movement patterns and automatisms.

Chronic incorrect muscular loading can diminish the ability of structures to repair themselves. Initially, this leads to muscular dysfunction, which, if not corrected, can cause structural changes. These changes are the result of the brain's protective mechanisms (neurological mechanisms), in which the body adopts kinetic or postural patterns to protect a painful area. The adoption of such abnormal patterns can be avoided if the locomotor system is used optimally – a situation which is only possible if the patient learns a correct physiological posture.

Objectives :
to identify and eliminate existing locomotive dysfunctions, and correct existing poor posture.

Practical day-to-day applications:
integrating posture correction techniques into the practical demands of daily self-care (ADL training [ADL = "activities of daily living"]).

Periodic physiotherapeutic monitoring:

Monitoring of

• degree of functionality
• quality of muscle function
• functional dominance (primary movements: trunk and head/cervical spine and extremities)
• impaired functions (pain, tiredness, weakness when moving joints)

The working hypothesis and test of active functions – consisting of the negative and the positive function test – ensues from the patient's medical history and the findings of initial examinations. The results give rise to the preparation of a new working hypothesis, which in turn forms the basis for the treatment programme/ ADL training