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The very definitions of posture and balance have changed, as has our understanding of the underlying neural mechanisms, In rehabilitation science, there awe at least two different conceptual theories to describe the neural control of posture and balance : the reflex/hierarchical theory and system theory. A reflex/hierarchical theory suggests the posture and balance result from hierarchically organized reflex responses triggered by independent sensory systems. The systems approach suggests that action emerges from an interaction of the individual with the task and environment. That is to say, the systems approach implies that the ability to control our body’’s position in space emerges from a complex interaction of musculoskeletal and neural systems, collectively referred to as the postural control system. The specific organization of postural systems determined both by the functional task and the environment in which it is being performed, The postural control system is divided into three basic functional components for assessment : 1) musculoskeletal components, 2) motor coordination components, and 3) sensory organization components. It is proposed that a systemic functional understanding of human balance is critical to effective programs for balance rehabilitation. Thus, this article briefly reviews the basic functional components to consider in designing treatment plan and for the benefit of the balance assessment.
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