It has been 7 years since I was in Seattle at Alpine Physical Therapy and this location was the first time I “soloed” teaching Cervical Revolution in 2019. The “Three Amigos”, Jeremiah, Eli, and Chris always a most nurturing atmosphere for faculty members and students that provides a perfect learning environment for all. This weekend was no exception and attendees from first timers to veteran PRC’s were all in attendance for Cervical Revolution including PT’s, a DC, a DMD, strength and conditioning specialists and a soft tissue therapist. This group of students truly fit the term “non-denominational interdisciplinarians” who integrate PRI into their unique and varied professional practices.
One of the main focuses during this course was to establish a solid foundation of the basics of atlanto-occipital osteokinematics as it relates to not only the function of the cervical spine but how the cervical spine at A/O determines movement and position of a cranium and jaw. Since this course is also known as a right stance course, the “conjugate” integration with sacrum, sternum, and sphenoid is described. As a foundation we start with the Right TMCC pattern resulting in Right A/O flexion, Right cranial extension, Right sphenoid external rotation, Right temporal bone internal rotation, and Right mandibular protrusion to the left that all connect the cervical spine to the Left Side Bending Cranial osteopathic position. Then testing the cervical spine using five tests to determine neutrality, or not, was demonstrated in lab with non-manual techniques to not only establish neutrality but to ensure alternation was provided.
Day two of Cervical Revolution addresses Right Cranial Torsion which is a pathologic presentation that reflects the inability to alternate from side to side and rotate a neck. When this occurs in a patient, integration with a dentist is most likely needed. Dr. Matt Gray, DMD, was in attendance for his first PRI course and was so engaged and helpful with his insights on day two regarding occlusion and the mandible. His participation and questions helped teach the course in a really special way as faculty member Kasey Ratliff, DPT described examination of the mandible and the use of mandibular appliances clearly and concisely. Kasey is training to be a Cervical Revolution instructor and this was the first time she “dove in” to teach part of the course. Kasey not only described the jaw examination and appliances, she spoke on day one regarding Cervical Cranial Evolutionary Concepts, Symmetrical Sense, and Introductory Remarks on the Cervical Cranial Complex. She will be an excellent Cervical Revolution instructor in the future.
Thank you all for attending including Aryn from Sitka, AK, Jena from Brooklyn, Annelise, Michael, Malcolm, and Sarah from Anacortes, Jason from CA, Holly and Tatham came down from Canada. Thank all of you for your questions all weekend long including Dylan, Betsy, Wren whom I haven’t seen in years, Nathan, Mark, Paige, Heather with respiration, Pina, Alex and Alicia. My friend Michael Li, DC was up in the front row and I hadn’t see him in 15 years since we met at an SFMA course in San Diego! And of course, thank you to Jeremiah, Eli, and Chris “Murph” for hosting us again in the Pacific Northwest. When you host courses at your place it is always energetic and hardly “Sleepless in Seattle”!
– Skip George