What is Global Postural Re-education (GPR or RPG)?

Global Postural Re-Education (RPG or GPR) is an innovative method of posture correction developed by the French physiotherapist Philippe Souchard.

RPG can treat postural and musculoskeletal complaints.

This method is present in France, all the southern part of Europe and the American continent. It has been practiced for over 30 years by qualified doctors and physiotherapists.

RPG uses of manual therapy through Therapeutic Posture Exercises and focuses on stretching soft tissues in order to gain flexibility, muscular tonus balance and eliminate unnecessary tension. 

Information about this method is available through this link https://sites.google.com/site/rpguk123/home

What are the purposes of RPG ?

RPG method main goal is to ameliorate/align any morphological deviation in order to progressively regain body functions. In other words, the Global Postural Re-education method can help you to do things for your day-to-day life. By correcting your posture, RPG method contributes to ease the related complaints.

RPG treats musculoskeletal conditions which cause pain, weakness, stiffness or loss of movement.

RPG : fields of intervention

• Spinal misalignments, spinal imbalances: scoliosis, hyperkyphosis, hyperlordosis, …
• Postural education (children, adolescents, adults)
• Upper and lower limbs deformities: rolled shoulders, flat foot …
• Spinal pain syndromes : neck pain, torticollis, …
• Articular /tendon dysfunctions: frozen shoulder, epicondylitis…
• Neurological disorders of a mechanical origin: numbness and paresthesia of upper or lower limbs, cephaleas, migraines, dizziness or vertigo, ocular muscle imbalances, pelvic floor dysfunction (urinary incontinence)
• Respiratory dysfunctions: chest inspiratory position, …
• Post-traumatic sequela: fracture, joint dislocation, post-surgical recovery…
• Pre and post-natal body training
• Maintenance gymnastics
• Recovery after training and sports activities

Who can be treated with RPG ?

Any ages can be considered as the RPG is a gentle, progressive and active method and respects each person’s capability.

How is a RPG session organised?

A RPG treatment starts with a thorough assessment of the symptoms/complaints, the associated postural and muscular compensations.

The initial assessment is done in standing, then in sitting, then in lying. It combines thorough observations, specific tests, palpation of the body areas related to your complaints. 

According to the initial assessment, clinical reasoning and the patient reports, the RPG therapist will choose the appropriate postures for the presenting symptoms.

There are eight evolutive Therapeutic Posture Exercises which are shown below. These postures are tailored to specific complaints of each patient and respect the individual oneness.

Therapist and patient will progressively progress the posture from minimum tension to progressively reach final position with final tension. This final position depends on each person’s condition, complaints and capability. 

Therapist roles are to guide the patient, apply manual therapy as required and avoid any compensatory mechanisms.