**Abstract**

Massé

spine: A biomechanical porcine and human cadaveric study. Spine (Phila Pa 1976).

[39] Schlösser TP, Vincken KL, Rogers K, Castelein RM, Shah SA. Natural sagittal spinopelvic alignment in boys and girls before, at and after the adolescent growth spurt.

[40] Labelle H, Dansereau J, Bellefleur C, Poitras B. Three-dimensional effect of the Boston brace on the thoracic spine and rib cage. Spine (Phila Pa 1976). 1996;**21**(1):59-64

[41] Clin J, Aubin CE, Parent S, Sangole A, Labelle H. Comparison of the biomechanical 3D efficiency of different brace designs for the treatment of scoliosis using a finite element

[42] Rigo M, Negrini S, Weiss HR, Grivas TB, Maruyama T, Kotwicki T. SOSORT consensus paper on brace action: TLSO biomechanics of correction (investigating the rationale for

[43] Carlson M, Smith M. Description for new overall balance: Summation for the conservative treatment of idiopathic scoliosis in determining orthosis design. Academy Today.

[44] Sanders JO, Newton PO, Browne RH, Katz DE, Birch JG, et al. Bracing for idiopathic scoliosis: how many patients require treatment to prevent one surgery? Journal of Bone

[45] Karol L, et al. Effect of compliance counseling on brace use and success in patients with adolescent idiopathic scoliosis. Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery-American Volume.

2007;**32**:2545-2550

134 Innovations in Spinal Deformities and Postural Disorders

2007;**3**:A-13-A-15

2016;**98**(1):9-14

European Spine Journal. 2015;**24**(6):158-167

force vector selection). Scoliosis. 2006;**1**:11

model. European Spine Journal. 2010;**19**(7):1169-1178

and Joint Surgery-American Volume. 2014;**96**:649-653

Current medical practice does not recognize the influence of innate, physiological, human asymmetry on scoliosis and other postural disorders. Interventions meant to correct these conditions are commonly based on symmetrical models of appearance and do not take into account asymmetric organ weight distribution, asymmetries of respiratory mechanics, and dominant movement patterns that are reinforced in daily functional activities. A model of innate, human asymmetry derived from the theoretical framework of the Postural Restoration Institute® (PRI) explicitly describes the physiological, biomechanical, and respiratory components of human asymmetry. This model is important because it gives an accurate baseline for understanding predisposing factors for the development of postural disorders, which, without intervention, will likely progress to structural dysfunction. Clinical tests to evaluate tri-planar musculoskeletal relationships and function, developed by PRI, are based on this asymmetric model. These tests are valuable for assessing patient's status in the context of human asymmetry and in guiding appropriate exercise prescription and progression. Balancing musculoskeletal asymmetry is the aim of PRI treatment. Restoration of relative balance decreases pain, restores improved alignment, and strengthens appropriate muscle function. It can also halt the progression of dysfunction and improve respiration, quality of life, and appearance. PRI's extensive body of targeted exercise progressions are highly effective due to their basis in the tri-planar asymmetric human model.

**Keywords:** human physiological asymmetry, spinal disorders, scoliosis, neutral posture, right-side dominance, muscle chain activity, biomechanical model of scoliosis, sagittal plane dysfunction, hyper lumbar lordosis, scoliosis specific exercises, postural restoration, etiology of scoliosis, kyphosis, respiratory mechanics, postural disorders

© 2016 The Author(s). Licensee InTech. This chapter is distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited. © 2017 The Author(s). Licensee InTech. This chapter is distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.
