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Françoise Mézières -

The Mézières method was developed by Françoise Mézières in 1947.

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Correcting inefficiencies -

The method works by correcting patients’ conscious or unconscious postural inefficiencies and movements.

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Posturology -

It is linked then with the school of posturology, which works to stabilize the body while static or in movement.

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Awareness -

It works by teaching people to be aware of their bodies in relation to their environment.

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Awareness as a step towards correction -

For example, patients may become aware of their incorrect posture while sitting in a chair, i.e. they are slouching. Patients may then endeavor to correct it.

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How it works -

In essence, the Mézières method benefits its patients by proactively addressing the cause of issues before they cause injuries or pain. However, it can also help patients in being a reactionary treatment to pain.

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Origins -

The treatment was designed to treat injured soldiers returning home to France after World War II, and in response to the polio epidemic that followed it.

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Links with physiotherapy -

In essence, it was an original form of physiotherapy to treat seriously injured and paralyzed people.

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Mézières' education -

Françoise Mézières studied at the French School of Orthopedics and Massage in Paris under the esteemed Boris Dolto, a physiotherapy pioneer in France.

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"Princeps observation” -

Years later, Mézières began “princeps observation,” which she concluded had scientific value and formed the beginnings of the Mézières method.

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Corrective gymnastics -

She learned the “corrective gymnastics” of the time, which was primarily based on muscle strengthening.

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'Revolution in Orthopedic Gymnastics’ -

In 1949, she published ‘Revolution in Orthopedic Gymnastics,’ which received mixed reviews from the French medical community.

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Continued to research -

Despite this, she continued her research, and many years later, in 1984, she published works that set out six rules about the phenomenon, which she concluded was a better system than the existing standard framework that she practiced.

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Its basis -

The method is based on physic-mathematical concepts to aid the musculoskeletal system.

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Individual issues -

Its body symmetry restoration rehabilitates patients on an individual basis, as everyone has their postural habits.

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The Mézières method and Parkinson’s disease -

For instance, a large study conducted across several universities and hospitals in Italy concluded in their investigations that the Mézières method was effective in treating Parkinson’s disease patients in improving their balance.

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Spine stabilization -

The study also concluded that it effectively strengthened the spine muscles and kept the spine stable.

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Practitioners -

As mentioned, the method works by improving people’s musculoskeletal system. It is practiced by physiotherapists, osteopaths, chiropractors, and doctors.

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Asymmetric muscle shortening -

Mézières method works on the principle that issues with the muscular skeleton system are caused by asymmetric shortening (tightening) of muscles. For example, your back may arch because of elongation of the stomach (abdomen) and a shortening (tightening) of the hip and back muscles.

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Natural balance -

This arch in the back creates stress on the hips, so the method could strengthen the stomach muscles and stretch the hip and back muscles, allowing a patient’s back to naturally stop arching.

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Non-static and static -

The method utilizes static and dynamic postural examination, the biomechanical evaluation of the spine, and muscular/postural alterations in greater detail.

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An educational and preventive treatment -

Not only does it work with stretching, but the method also works by teaching breathing techniques as well as awareness. It is an educational and preventive vocation, allowing posture reharmonizing.

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Treatment -

Specifically, it can treat scoliosis, sciatica, slipped discs, lower back pain, wryneck, myalgia, osteoarthritis, flat and club foot, and much more.

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Other techniques -

It also utilizes massage and manual techniques.

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Principles -

As Mézières practitioners use physical techniques, massage, examinations, and other methods of figuring out what might be the stem of a patient’s symptoms or probable future injuries, they operate according to six main principles.

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A single unit -

One principle is that the Mézières method addresses the body as a whole.

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The significance of the spine -

Another principle concerns curvatures in the spine, which are believed to be the route to many body issues.

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The respiratory system affects the spine -

Another principle is that diaphragm is not only a breathing muscle, as it is used to shape the body’s back and dynamics.

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"Anti-pain" -

There is a principle related to a term called “anti-pain.” When someone sprains their ankle, the idea is that the uninjured foot (which will take a lot of pressure as the patient relies on it more) should be of primary concern.

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Chain reaction -

Finally, another principle is that the tightening of one muscle will shorten the entire muscle group.

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The Mézières method -

In summary, the Mézières method has tremendous merit in influencing multiple schools of modern medicine, and its principles are still adopted in these practices (such as in physiotherapy). It is also proven, by current standards, to treat many issues with the body and preemptively prevent them.

Sources: (National Center for Biotechnology Information) (Instituto de Fisioterapia Global Mézières) (Marco Physio)

See also: Here's how to listen to your body and improve your health

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The Mézières method: how and why it works -

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