The proprioceptive and postural role of vision: when the eye stabilises the body
The Marchal Method, unique and entirely innovative, takes into account the patient's general condition and oculomotor abilities.
Visual fixation movements and the synchronisation of both eyes release muscular tension throughout the body. In the same way, these eye movements help reactivate blocked neurological networks.
Since the eye is a postural input, along with the masticatory system and the arch of the foot, many blockages can be released through the eyes, by acting directly on the central nervous system.
Relieving all these tensions allows the patient to become posturally and emotionally grounded. The patient then becomes aware of feeling their body more settled, more stable, and breathing more easily.
The Marchal Method is a holistic and neurofunctional therapy that works without contact and without pain. Its effects are lasting: the feeling of being in the right place, in the most harmonious position. The body regains its deep balance and stability.
This method is intellectual property registered with the INPI (French National Institute of Industrial Property) on 28 September 2016.
Interactive
The patient takes an active part in every step.
Gentle
No contact, no equipment and no pain.
Personalised
Each session adapts to the restrictions observed.
Complementary
Works alongside osteopathy, dental occlusion therapy and proprioceptive insoles.
The Marchal Method complements medical care and does not replace it.
The aim of the Marchal Method
The aim is to encourage greater coherence between tongue posture, orofacial development, respiratory function and postural balance.
By paying particular attention to the posterior third of the tongue and its neurofunctional regulation, the Marchal Method offers a global approach that can support:
- the prevention of certain orofacial imbalances during growth;
- reducing the constraints that can lead to heavy or prolonged orthodontic treatment;
- the stability of orthodontic results and the prevention of relapse;
- the global management of bruxism and sleep-related breathing disorders;
- balance between the jaws, the cervical spine and the pelvis;
- the prevention of certain postural adaptations during growth.
An individualised approach
This approach must be individualised and, where necessary, carried out in collaboration with the relevant professionals: dentist, orthodontist, doctor, ENT specialist, physiotherapist or sleep specialist.
The tongue, jaws, breathing, diaphragm and pelvis all take part in one and the same neurofunctional organisation. By acting on both the upper and lower inputs at the same time, the Marchal Method seeks a global and lasting balance.
The link between the eyes and posture
The eye as "sonar" and "GPS"
The eye is an essential sensor for balance and movement. It moves in different directions to scan space and make the body react accordingly to obstacles and various stimuli. This optimal visual space can be compared to a sharp, panoramic sphere.
The eye muscles have proprioceptive and ballistic properties that calculate, without error, the exact spatial coordinates of each target and stimulus. When we are moving, the visual space changes, and our eyes guide us and allow us to manage that space. This lets us react as precisely as possible to danger or to multiple stimuli, through well-adapted motor coordination and behaviour.
For example, when driving a car or playing tennis, movements start from the eye but involve the whole body. Every image captured by the eyes is processed in the occipital cortex, where it is decoded and identified against previous visual experience. It then generates a motor response involving eye–head–hand or eye–head–neck–foot coordination, and so on. This is the case in ball sports, in dealing with obstacles while moving, and in screen work.
This interaction always applies, whether we are sitting, walking or in a vehicle, still or in motion. The more intense and complex the movement, the more finely this postural coordination must be adjusted.
Key point
The eye is a sensor of balance and movement: every gesture starts from the eye and engages the whole body, from head to toe.
The postural function of the eye: balance and movement
As well as being the organ of sight, the eye helps regulate balance, both static and dynamic. Being directly connected to the brain's higher postural centre, it informs the brain of the body's position in space in all 3 planes (sagittal, frontal and horizontal).
It influences the various postural inputs (dental occlusion, inner ear, foot support, joint receptors). But its action also extends to the muscles themselves, through the postural muscle chains.
Oculomotor function therefore appears to be a circuit operating in parallel with the classic sensor–effector postural circuits. The benefit of normalising oculomotor function is to release visual tension by allowing the eyes to regain their efficiency in directing the gaze and perceiving space.
Posture is directly affected, since the eyes, as they turn towards different points in space, drive the overall movement of the body. Free, well-toned eyes “carry” the body into movement smoothly; eyes with restricted mobility and under tension create tension and hold back free, spontaneous body movement.
Indeed, any visual tension directly causes postural tension in the neck, with or without facial tension. Difficulty fixating leads to neck tension: quite simply, by reflex, we push the head forward, creating a cervical lordosis in order to “see better”, hence the first and most direct impact on posture.
Key point
Free, well-toned eyes carry the body into movement smoothly. Eyes under tension hold back movement and create tension throughout the body.
Eye tone and postural tone
To be upright and toned without effort, the eyes must have good tone, balancing muscular contraction and relaxation.
Good visual tone means being able to rest the eyes in any direction, at any distance, without effort, and with clear vision as soon as the eyes are in this toned, tension-free position. In particular, the fascia and muscles of the head and neck are soothed, because their tone is well adjusted.
Chronic visual fatigue leads to chronic neck tension, which in turn results in postural imbalance. This is true for people who spend a lot of time in front of a screen, and even more so when any kind of movement forces the eyes and body to adapt, whether standing or during multisensory activities (driving or sport).
The principle of the method
By restoring free eye movements and precise fixation, we act on the chain of compensation. The body can then gradually release its tensions.
The role of the tongue
The position of the tongue influences the balance of the head and neck, as well as breathing, especially at night. It is an integral part of the work.
However, some people have a low tongue posture, with the tongue resting at the bottom of the mouth or between the teeth. This posture can cause problems such as mouth breathing, speech difficulties and dental problems.
The tongue constantly influences the shape of the palate. Appropriate tongue posture during growth can help limit certain developmental constraints and reduce the need for heavy or prolonged orthodontic treatment. It can also contribute to the stability of results and reduce the risk of relapse, alongside appropriate orthodontic follow-up.
In addition, poor tongue posture can also affect overall posture, because a low or forward tongue can put strain on the upper cervical spine, leading to cervical hyperlordosis and potentially to postural problems in the back and pelvis.
The Marchal approach aims in particular to normalise tongue posture, paying special attention to the posterior third of the tongue and to the neurofunctional mechanisms involving the glossopharyngeal nerve (IX).
Tongue & breathing →
Key point
Eyes, tongue and breathing form one single postural chain.
How a session works
A basic course of 3 sessions is offered to release the eyes and posture, in the following 3 stages:
The assessment
The therapist observes in detail how your eyes move in every direction, beyond their usual limits, to identify the areas where movement is restricted.
The release
Using a target held 20–30 cm away, she slowly guides your eyes to the edges of each restriction. Movement is gradually freed, without forcing.
Integration and synchronisation
At the end of the session, the body readjusts its posture. You feel the changes as they happen.
Sessions 1 and 2
Release eye restrictions and rebalance the muscle chains.
Session 3
Consolidate the changes so that they last.
Afterwards
An annual maintenance session can be offered if needed.
Book an appointment
By phone or email · Paris 16th and Sceaux (92330)