We are excited to introduce SYMBA! (Synchronized Movement of Bilateral Asymmetry) As many of you may be familiar with the Pelvis Models that are frequently utilized within the PRI community, you may also begin to see the use of our newest collaboration with the team at SAWBONES. This articulated Ribcage is fully functional in providing visual feedback to your patients or clients and allows many PRI concepts to be demonstrated. We have been working over the past several months to develop this model which allows movement in all three planes!

The photos Included below show some of the many prototypes that were created between our staff here at the Institute and the team of engineers at SAWBONES in Vashon, WA.

This image shows the initial prototype (Left) which quickly progressed to the smaller size.

Sizing and designing of this model required creating a new mold to achieve the desired dimensions which was made from a newly created resin that allows the model to bend and rotate. Initially the spinal column was in a solid state and a new mold and material was again designed to allow flexion and extension of the spine to occur. The team at SAWBONES is top notch and although many of these requirements were difficult to achieve they never gave up and continued designing until these outcomes were met.

SYMBA, is available now!

For more Information CLICK HERE.

To see all available Tri-Planar Models CLICK HERE

I was encouraged to share my experiences as a Right Torsion patient who was repositioned by Ron Hruska at the Cervical Revolution seminar in NYC this past September.

I've been studying and using PRI on myself (and some clients) for the past three years. I had been able to get my pelvis neutral, but I was never able to get my upper body completely neutral, despite working on it consistently.

I initially approached Ron at the Impingement and Instability course in April 2015, in regards to the tinnitus I've had since the age of 14. He took a look at my teeth and noticed my right sided cross-bite. He told me I'd probably need dental/orthodontic work but that I should come to the Cervical Revolution course in September.

*I'd like to make it clear that Ron didn't say my tinnitus was caused by the cross-bite. My understanding was that it was possible that jaw/ear canal misalignment could contribute to tinnitus, but he wasn't guaranteeing it.

On the first day of the CR course, Ron told me that I'd be his model for a Right Torsion patient for the class to see, but that he'd use me on Sunday. I was very excited by this news. However, he did put me through some PRI tests on Saturday in front of the class, and I was clearly a PEC, and I couldn't rotate my head left, nor sidebend left. He then gave me a mouthguard to wear and told me to walk around the room. Upon my first few steps my right leg buckled and I got quite disoriented. My PRI tests didn't clear up completely, but I was disoriented for about an hour afterwards.

On Sunday Ron called me up again, had the entire class inspect my cross-bite, and then repositioned me using Standing Alternating Reciprocal Cranial Expansion while wearing the mouthguard.

All my PRI tests cleared up immediately. It was quite an experience.

Here are my other observations over the past month:

1. I am able to find my left ischial seat without having to consciously do so.
2. I was able to feel me right medial arch and big right toe while walking without having to consciously do so.
3. My chin straightened out (it had been pointing right). I now have left molar to molar contact. Previously I'd have to move my jaw to the left to get contact on the left.
4. I'm pretty sure my voice sounds different although no one else seems to have noticed. I was unaware of the effect that repositioning could have on voice when I noticed the difference, so I don't think I was engaging in any type of confirmation bias. I had one client tell me I looked different, though she couldn't figure out why.
5. My eyesight improved. I only wear reading glasses (1.5, I think). While still adjusting to being repositioned, I glanced at the manual and my notes and noticed that the print in both appeared larger, and I could actually read both without my glasses. Neither were perfectly clear, but I could read them (my notes on the green paper was actually more clear). I can now read the newspaper without my glasses as long as there is sufficient light. Natural sunlight is the best. Fluorescent light is the worst and I have to squint. I'm still wearing the reading glasses and have been encouraged to do so by an optometrist who is part of the PRI Google group. However, it's nice to know that I can actually read something if I don't have my glasses with me.
6. I tend to feel my left glute medius more easily in PRI exercises. I used to really struggle to feel it.

Unfortunately, my upper body does not always stay repositioned. My footwear that I use for one of my jobs is less than optimal, and I can feel it in my left mid-back when I'm going PEC again. On the other hand, I almost never feel myself going PEC when I am wearing my Asics Foundations. But it is easy enough to reposition with the mouthguard and the aforementioned technique when I get home.

So, those are my experiences. Hope you find them useful or interesting.

Neal Hallinan
CSCS