Postural balance is an essential capacity for functional autonomy and the performance of activities of daily living, relying on the continuous integration of visual, vestibular, and somatosensory information. Within this system, the upper cervical region plays a particularly important role, as it contributes to the orientation of the head in space and to the coordination between the head, eyes, and trunk. Due to their deep location between the occiput, atlas, and axis, the suboccipital muscles have a high proprioceptive significance and are frequently associated with cervical position control and sensorimotor regulation.
Changes in muscle tension, stiffness, or dysfunction in this region may alter the quality of afferent information transmitted to the central nervous system, potentially interfering with postural stability, head position awareness, body sway, and center of pressure control. In this context, the suboccipital inhibition technique is used in osteopathic practice as a manual intervention aimed at reducing myofascial tension, promoting relaxation of the upper cervical musculature, and potentially normalizing proprioceptive input.
Healthy individuals (defined by the absence of the
Aged between 18 and 35 years
Signed informed consent form
Recent history of falls
History of spinal or foot surgery
Parallel
Placebo Technique
Other interventionFor the placebo technique, the participant remained in the supine position on the osteopathic table, with the upper and lower limbs extended, the cervical spine in a neutral position, and the eyes closed. The therapist placed the hands in the clavicular region, performing only passive manual contact, without applying pressure, mobilisation, or any therapeutic intent. This technique was used to reproduce the manual contact present in the intervention, without producing specific therapeutic effects. The application also lasted 4 minutes.
Intervention Technique
Other interventionFor the application of the suboccipital inhibition technique, the participant was positioned in the supine position on an osteopathic table, with the upper and lower limbs extended, the cervical spine in a neutral position, and the eyes closed. The therapist was seated at the head of the table, with the feet firmly supported on the floor. The technique was performed by placing the 2nd, 3rd, and 4th fingers of both hands in the region between the occiput and the atlas, at the level of the suboccipital musculature, with the metacarpophalangeal joints flexed at approximately 90°. After correct positioning, a gentle and sustained pressure was applied, combined with a slight cephalic traction, in order to promote relaxation of the suboccipital muscles. The technique was applied for 4 minutes.
Mean Center of Pressure (Mean CoP) Displacement Assessed Using a Force Platform
Mean center of pressure displacement will be assessed using a force platform during \[static balance task\]. Lower COP displacement indicates better postural stability.assessment period.
Mean Standing Velocity Assessed During Quiet Standing
Mean velocity during quiet standing will be assessed using \[measurement device/system name\]. Participants will stand in an upright position while postural sway is recorded. Mean velocity will be calculated as the average velocity of the center of pressure (COP) displacement over the assessment period and expressed in \[units, e.g., mm/s\]. Lower values indicate reduced postural sway and better postural stability.
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