Postural Restoration Institute

Ron Hruska has synthesized functional anatomy and biomechanics in the most clinically relevant way I have ever seen. The information does not split up the body e.g. like a "knee" or "shoulder" course and it does not ignore the influence of the CNS like so many other orthopedic courses. His course on Myokinematic Restoration and Postural Restoration has substantially influenced my clinical reasoning and patient/client management as well as my teaching clinical orthopedics. I have achieved patient outcomes via this education that I would not have been able to achieve otherwise. I am grateful and my patients are grateful. No other courses compare. The cost of the courses have been the best money I have spent on clinical education in my 13 years of practice! - January 2003

I feel as giddy as a kid in a toy store with a $1000 gift card… thanks to Janie, Bobbie, James, Mike, and Ron (and the rest of the PRI “family”)! To Janie and Bobbie: thank you for all the work you do organizing and making the courses happen, and the donation of your bodies for the greater good of all the world’s patients – in the exercise pictures. To James and Mike: thank you for a wonderful introduction, diving into the world of PRI (Myokin 9/07 in Lancaster). Thanks to this first course, I found my patients improving like crazy: the usual # visits needed for conditions were resolving in ½ the time! I found myself more and more saying, “bring it on!” James, thank you for your “cheat sheets” – not only did I refer to them regularly, but the skeleton image demonstrating L vs. R AIC is burned in my mind now… I find myself positioning my own body as I picture the R AIC anytime I maintain a position for any length of time. I go into this because I have had 2 back surgeries (2nd of which I have residual LLE issues) and always have some degree of pain – have just learning to live with it… well, I have found myself telling my husband more & more regularly that I am pain-free and my residual c/o’s have lessened (the cake’s icing). To decorate this proverbial cake of wellness, my inner fear of reinjury no longer exists… so long as my ADT is negative… so cool to be able to tell! My husband and I are volleyball players, and I met him recovering from back surgery #2. We went straight to establishing a family and haven’t had a chance to get on the court together. Initial thoughts of playing have made me nervous… but no longer! To Ron: thank you for being dissatisfied with dentistry and for combining your insatiable appetite for knowledge with physical therapy… for developing these courses (and doing what our profession and world really needs)! You have no idea just how much I am chomping at the bit to learn the next segments… the amount that I’ve learned thus far has lit a fire: not only do I now realize there is much more learn, but the desire is blazing! Since I’ve been back from Lancaster’s Postural Respiration course… I am 10 for 10 with eye-popping results using AIC manual techniques… and YES, those individuals who improved with Myokin and yet seemingly plateaued have all progressed… many are now discharged with excellent outcomes. I would love to share all 10 stories, but this is what ya’ll see “everyday” so I’m sure they are nothing new to you… Back in Austin, TX, the other clinicians and I have had some disagreement about the Adduction Drop Test… I hold the black-n-white viewpoint – the test is + or (-). The guys protest that there are different degrees of +. I’ve described the ADT as an osseus test (+ or -); their “less +” test results are based on stabilization of testing positions and/or soft tissue tests (the Ober test as we learned it from PT school). Would love some feedback from ya’lls point of view about my line of thinking here… However, now that my understanding of PRI has deepened, my awareness of the importance of establishing (-) adduction drop tests has resulted in the dramatic improvements… I have 2 very black & white examples of just how dramatic postural restoration is… Wow, I feel silly writing to YOU ALL about this, as this is so elementary in PRI… I guess I’m excited to share that PRI is really “clicking” with me. 1. Female, mid-20s s/p knee ACL repair – now high-level – continued to have complaints of pain with walking that would lessen a bit as she “worked it out,” but would never fully resolve. I saw her occasionally for scheduling reasons (I was not her primary PT). Last week I had the opportunity to work with her again; I checked her ADT: positive. She had been doing some repositioning exercises as part of her HEP for months and months, so I re-examined her performance. I made a few changes in cuing and adjustments in her position… tested again, repeated ex’s, tested, etc… then after about 20 minutes (think it was difficult/time consuming because of months & months of performance in less-than-ideal position – muscles were now strong & holding her “out of position”), she tested (-) and got off the table and walked: PAIN FREE (first time ever). She then resumed her program… after the second activity, the pain returned. I checked her ADT again – positive again… We re-established (-) ADT again… PAIN FREE… but even better: she could now feel the difference. She returned to PT yesterday (1 week later) reporting no further pain and/or if pain began, she knew exactly what to do to make it go away. How cool is that!?! To actually give someone real tools that work… 2. Female in her 50s with chronic hip pain (MD hoping PT would delay need for THR) had been progressing very well with PRI as the forefront of her PT – she was now down to 2-wk follow-ups, nearing discharge. She had been ill, wasn’t faithful to her HEP and her primary complaints returned (difficulty with sleeping d/t pain with positioning, and inability to step up with the involved LE, requiring a rail on stairs or resorting to step-to). Talk about making PT “easy”: all I did was check her ADT, note that it was positive, re-established a (-)… and stairs were no longer a problem. Best of all = she, too then realized all she would have to do to restore her status: her PRI ex’s! Never before have I had patients REALLY stick to their HEPs... I know these are very elementary examples, but these are 2 people who were so faithful with their PT for so long… only to progress “so far” and to grow frustrated with no end in sight. I thank you all for helping me help my patients… Since there isn’t enough of you for the entire world of people, I am excited to be a part of this growing team to help further positive results in people who can’t get to you! I thank you… and my patients thank you. Sincerely, Julie Sandstedt Foley Star Physical Therapy - Austin, TX April 2008

I just wanted to say thank you. I just completed my first course and am already looking forward to the next. After 21 years as a PT I have found the basis from which all other things ought to flow. I applaude Mr. Hruska for his vision and hard work. - Lancaster, Pennsylvania - September 2007

Advanced Integration

How does someone even begin to thank you? It's comparable to a child thanking their mother for giving them life. I have been a PT for many years and this concept of PRI is so mind boggling, inspiring, awesome, funtional and yes, life giving. You have saved my PT life. You have given me a reason to practice. You have given me passion for practice. To quote Mike, "I am a PRI crackhead." My life has been transformed, enlightened and expanded. Now my question...How did you do this? How could one individual be so intelligent, perceptive and intuitive? You have single handedly saved the discipline of PT. We now have a purpose. Now we can grow, expand and educate. We can be. - Lincoln, Nebraska - April 2008.

There are extremely few courses / approaches that I feel are absolutely necessary for a PT's education and professional growth as a clinician. Ron's courses are an absolute must!!! Without question!!! The only other course that comes close to Ron's that I got a lot out was that of Vladimir Janda - excellent company!! - Lincoln, Nebraska - December 2005

This course really was very beneficial in tying a lot of loose ends together. Truly an integration course. Thanks! - Lincoln, Nebraska - December 2005

You are an inspiration! I am sooo excited to be part of this "pioneer" way of understanding movement and becoming an integrated PT:) - Lincoln, Nebraska - December 2005

Cervical-Cranio-Mandibular Restoration

I had an "a-ha" moment yesterday and wanted to share it with you guys. No doubt it is all old news to you all, but since few would understand my excitement, I wanted to share it anyway! I have a one year old who usually sleeps curled up on his tummy. He got a cold last week and ever since the congestion started, he changed to sleeping on his back with...arms and legs in ER! I was in awe to see that his little body instinctively (by God's incredible design) knew what I had to go to a course to learn: ER = inhalation! - Myrtle Beach, South Carolina - May 2004

Thank you for sharing everything you have learned, compiled, experienced and have found to work. You have saved us years of trail and error and even then it's questionable if I would have been able to reach this point of understanding the human body, mechanics, pathomechanics, myokinematics. - Lincoln, Nebraska - November 2007

Never need to take another manual course ever again. Ron's work is truly revolutionary and should be compulsory learning for all therapists. Ron's work is the future of physiotherapy. - Myrtle Beach, South Carolina - May 2004

Finally, "posture" makes sense! This course makes physical therapy make sense! - Myrtle Beach, South Carolina - May 2004

Anatomical correlation excellent. - Lincoln, Nebraska - August 2003

Excellent. Ron, you have revolutionized my approach to the body!! - Burlington, VT - March 2003

Great course - a good mix of manual exercise and theory, challenges conventional PT Rx. - Burlington, VT - March 2003

Amazed at how this course brought it all together! This was fantastic! So excited about Postural Restoration right now and anxious to return to clinic tomorrow morning and begin applying. - Omaha, NE - November 2005

Best material and information available. - Lincoln - August 2006

Ron, Thank you so much for this past course on CCMR. I look forward to taking your courses because your unique treatment perspectives have made me a better therapist. Much continued success! I look forward to learning more from you in the future. - Lincoln - August 2006

Impingement and Instability

Ron - I wanted to express my gratitude to you for the help I gained by being a class case study. I have believed in PRI since I first sought help and as I continue to learn my faith in it's principles is strengthened. I am convinced that my search for my own pain has benefit for every patient I see, as I apply my limited PRI knowledge. I look forward to learning and regaining painfree movement as I study PRI more! Thank you. - Lincoln, NE - March 2007

I would like to give a big thank you for a wonderful weekend. It was by far the most enjoyable class ever and I look forward to the next integration class in November. - Lincoln, NE - August 2007

Myokinematic Restoration

Best course I've been to over the past 17 years! - Lincoln, Nebraska - December 2003

This course definitely gave me a lot to think about and a lot of ideas to begin applying to baseball players. - Lincoln, Nebraska - January 2005

Another exceptional course, easily the best I've attended ever. Ron's work blows current schools of thought out of the water. How can PT's be trained without learning this approach? - Lincoln, Nebraska - January 2005

Excellent treatment plan to injuries that would have been symptom managed only before taking this course. - Lincoln, Nebraska - December 2003

Amazing, proactive and stimulating. I have to rethink concepts that I have followed in over 20 years of practice. - Lincoln, Nebraska - December 2003

Most applicable and informative course that I have taken. Now I finally understand how to mechanically assess and treat the human body. I can't wait to take the "Postural" course. - Reno, Nevada - May 2003

Very interesting and helpful. Created an enthusiasm and excitement about treating patients. I can't wait to apply this new way of thinking - Reno, Nevada - May 2003

This course makes more sense than traditional treatment and results are reached quickly. - Herdon, Virginia - July 2005

The course was excellent, full of information that will be very helpful in my clinical setting. I am looking forward to continuing to learn more about this concept and subject matter. Thank you. - Herdon, Virginia - July 2005

I attended a course in April in North Dakota. Since, then I have been increasingly using your techniques with increasing success. You have brought physics and science into the PT field in way that few others will ever come close to. I appreciate your work, effort, and passion in getting your information out to other PTs. I sincerely hope that your methods will continue to grow in popularity, as they will give someone (PTs hopefully) the tools to provide patients with solutions to problems that are currently poorly addressed elsewhere. Thanks. - Fargo, ND - April 2005

Excellent course. I am so glad I got to come and learn. Instructor made you think anatomically, biomechanically and clinically. - St. Pete, FL - October 2005

A life changing course for personal health and for the health of my patients. Thank you for finding and sharing the missing element for physical therapy. Hopefully this will eventually change the course of physical therapy everywhere. - Warner Robins, GA - September 2006

PRI offers the most astouding intervention techniques. It should be implemented into PT/PTA curriculums & any healthcare program. - Boone, NC - April 2008

Hi Mike! I wanted to thank you for an awesome learning experience in Boone, NC. My fibro patients are loving the PRI approach! Since I work in a spine & aquatic center, I get ALOT of fibro patients! I also have personal testimonial re: PRI as I was in a bad car accident last week. I was going 50 mph and a woman pulled out right in front of me. My foot was on the brake maybe 3 seconds before I slammed into her. After the accident, I could hardly walk, sit or stand. It felt as though someone had hit my low back and R/L SIJ with a sledge hammer. For the next 2 days, I did the repositioning techniques religiously, and I was 100% pain free by day 3! So thank you for all the pearls of wisdom! I look forward to the next course! - Boone, NC - April 2008

Postural Respiration

I want to thank you for another great class. The responses we get from patients is probably the most rewarding I felt in the 30 some years I have been practicing, and I thought we were doing a good job then... - Bloomington, MN - October 2004

This is my 5th PRI class. As always, they are life changing as my understanding deepens. I am grateful for this approach! It is evidence based, makes sense, can be validated by objective tests and readily applied in the clinic. It has changed the way I practice and made my career more satisfying. - Bloomington, MN - October 2004

You are an innovative thinker, thanks for opening my mind, broadening my horizons and enabling me to better treat my patients. - Elon, NC - April 2004

Absolutely outstanding! Excellent course and instructor. He had complete command of the material. A master expert clinician. Thank you for putting the human body back together again and integrating all systems of the body. - Elon, NC - April 2004

Thanks for a fresh, common sense approach to biomechanics of the body. Thanks for affirming that there is a lot more to physical therapy than stretching and strengthening. - Sioux City, Iowa - November 2003

Awesome course and information. Will incorporate this info in our practice. The lab was great and very beneficial in actually seeing it put into action. - Sioux City, Iowa - November 2003

Ron's compassion for the subject matter is unmistakable. This course does a great job of filling in the upper quarter puzzle and emphasizing the importance of respiration- thank you! - Lincoln, Nebraska - January 2008

This material is based on a paradigm that includes the whole body and its interconnections unlike anything else in our training. - Sioux Falls, South Dakota - May 2005

Ron was very dynamic in introducing this concept and treatment techniques. This method of PT really makes sense. Finally an approach that ties it all together and help for those people who haven't been able to be helped yet! - Sioux Falls, South Dakota - May 2005

I doubt I will attend any other continuing education course besides PRI or something related to. - Omaha, NE August 2005

Ron has revolutionized the way I treat my athletes. He is the most passionate speaker I have ever had the privilege of hearing. - Omaha, NE August 2005

Thanks for "re-booting" me, giving me belief back in my profession, and hope for relieving my pain. You just changed my life and the lives of my patients. - Crookston, Minnesota - March 2006

Just wanted to share a success story with you after the course this last weekend in Lincoln. I have a patient who is s/p mva some 6 weeks ago, severe pain cervical/thoracic/and lumbar; very guarded and flexed posture. We had seen her maybe 6 times prior to the course last weekend, and hadn't made any progress. She was very guarded and we could not release any tension with massage, modalities, and ROM. I performed the manual AIC technique taught in class, restored her ZOA and got the rib cage to move, and the results were amazing. The patient was so excited her burning pain in her mid-back was gone, she broke down in tears. And my 2 PTA's started to cry with her as they had seen how much pain she was in, and now was feeling relief. Just wanted to relay that story and to say thanks. Your class was amazing. And after 2 days in the clinic, I've already seen amazing results. I want to encourage you to keep on empowering therapists as you have me. Thanks again. - Lincoln, NE - October 2006

Best series of courses I've ever taken, including Upledger and Myofascial Release courses. The most comprehensive approach I've found. - Portland, ME - July 2007