"In conclusion, postural medicine deals with the different effects of gravity on the human body and with the physiopathological changes resulting from various body positions." "Physiological adaptations mainly due to the effect of gravity occur during changes of position and can influence the symptoms of various diseases involving not only the circulatory system but also other systems (respiratory, digestive, osteoarticular etc)." "When caring for our patients, we should not forget the utility and side effects of the omnipresent force, gravity."

The following are excerpts from this scholarly paper:

"Despite considerable evidence that posture affects physiology and function, the significant influence of posture on health is not addressed by most physicians."

"Observations of the striking influence of postural mechanics on function and symptomatology have led to our hypothesis that posture affects and moderates every physiologic function from breathing to hormonal production. Spinal pain, headache, mood, blood pressure, pulse, and lung capacity are among the functions most easily influenced by posture."

"The most significant influences of posture are upon respiration, oxygenation, and sympathetic function. Ultimately, it appears that homeostasis and autonomic regulation are intimately connected with posture."

"For many years physiologists have shown that the position of the head on the neck is vital because it governs all postural reflexes. If the head is misaligned, other parts of the body move in and out of line to maintain balance and thus energy is expended to counteract the effects of gravity."

"At the Shealy Institute, clinicians have consistently observed striking postural abnormalities in virtually every patient with back pain, headache, or depression."