Egoscue Method

The Egoscue Method is a posture therapy which improves and restores the function of the musculoskeletal system by performing body exercises. This automatically effects an improvement of the posture. The method is named after its creator Pete Egoscue (born 1945).

By performing an exercise menu regularly the body gains more flexibility and stability. It helps to prevent, reduce or remove pain and to avoid injury (e.g. twisting one's ankle). The exercises come from different areas like Yoga, mass sports or were specially developed by the Egoscue Method. All of them have in common that they improve the posture and have an overall impact on the body. The word "posture" is used as a synonym for "joint position".

Origin

In the early 70s Pete Egoscue was severely injured. During the subsequent rehabilitation he intensively dealt with “the human body and its anatomical, physiological, kinesiological and biomechanical principles”. With exercises which he chose himself he accelerated his healing process significantly. In the period following he applied his knowledge at first in the circle of his friends and family. Due to his successes he has been “practicing full-time since 1978.” with his method.

Basis

The Egoscue Method is convinced that every human is born with the ability to develop the correct posture. A good posture of the body is an expression of a healthy and functioning musculoskeletal system. In order to evolve and maintain these functions the body needs enough motion. But because of the lack of motion of our modern time postural deviations increase. Even many athletes are lacking the variety of motion which the musculoskeletal system requires. Besides performing an exercise menu routinely Pete Egoscue recommends to create one's environment motion rich.

“The goal is to allow the body to return to its birthright, its design template, and it can because it never forgets the memory.”

The model of good posture

Walking in place a few times and then standing relaxed should result in the following picture. In the front and back view the load-bearing joints ankles, knees, hips and shoulders lie vertically on top of each other (shoulders may deviate) und face forward (no rotation). The weight is evenly distributed between the the left and right body half. The inside and outside edge of each foot is equally loaded.

Also in the side view the load-bearing joints form a vertical line, the head sits directly above the shoulders. The weight in the feet is evenly distributed between ball and heel. The spinal column has a double-S curvature. The pelvis is even (anterior superior iliac spine and posterior superior iliac spine on a horizontal line), that means not tilted.

The correct posture is not above all ideal of beauty but guarantees the proper function and collaboration of the muscles of the musculoskeletal system. Furthermore the joint position dictates the site of nerves, blood vessels and internal organs and therefore their function.

Posture therapy

Development in 9 months

Based on a posture evaluation the therapist creates an individual exercise routine for the client. The exercises are immediately checked for their effect on function and posture and are exchanged if necessary. The client should perform their exercises daily at home. During the next therapy unit – e.g. one week later – a new exercise menu is developed.

Besides the posture therapy in a clinic there is the possibility of online therapy. With this the client sends photos of their posture by email to the therapist and receives an individual exercise routine after the photos have been analysed. Another way of online therapy is the interaction on a video call with e.g. Skype.

Exercise menus

The fastest progress is achieved with an individual exercise menu. Furthermore Pete Egoscue describes exercise routines in his books on different themes: for posture conditions, against pain from head to toe, as preparation for sport, for computer users, for (pregnant) women and for character types.

Public reception

The Egoscue Method is mainly spread in the USA. Professional golfer Jack Nicklaus, a longtime client of Pete Egoscue, wrote in the introduction of the book Health Through Motion: “Never have I experienced such complete pain relief as I have by following the Egoscue Method.”

In various professional journals such as Sports Illustrated there are articles on the method.

Books of Pete Egoscue

• Pete Egoscue, Roger Gittines: The Egoscue Method of Health Through Motion. A Revolutionary Program That Lets You Rediscover the Body's Power to Protect and Rejuvenate Itself. HarperCollins, New York 1992, ISBN 0060924306

• Pete Egoscue, Roger Gittines: Pain Free. A Revolutionary Method for Stopping Chronic Pain. Bantam Books, New York 1998, ISBN 0-553-37988-7

• Pete Egoscue, Roger Gittines:Pain Free at Your PC. Bantam Books, New York 1999, ISBN 0-553-38052-4

• Pete Egoscue, Roger Gittines: Pain Free for Women: The Revolutionary Program for Ending Chronic Pain. Bantam Books, New York 2003, ISBN 0553380494

• Pete Egoscue, Roger Gittines: Pain Free Living. The Egoscue Method for Strength, Harmony and Happiness. Sterling Publishing, New York 2011, ISBN 1-4027-8643-3

• Pete Egoscue, Roger Gittines; Till R. Lohmeyer, Christel Rost (translaters): Bonebuilding – Das bahnbrechende Programm für Probleme im Bereich des Bewegungsapparats. Mosaik, Munich 1994, ISBN 3576102469

• Pete Egoscue, Roger Gittines; Ina Schicker, Claudia Magiera, Heino Nimritz (translaters): Schmerzfrei leben mit der Egoscue-Methode. Das revolutionäre System gegen chronische Schmerzen. Kopp Verlag, Rottenburg 2017, ISBN 3-86445-487-5

External links

• Egoscue Method: Headquarters San Diego and further Egoscue Clinics worldwide
• Education Egoscue Method