Blog Posts in 2017

New Eligible Certifications for PRT Credentialing

As we approach the upcoming application deadline for our Postural Restoration Trained (PRT) credentialing program, we are excited to announce that we have added additional eligible certifications. PRT credentialing was established in 2011 for Athletic Trainers (with Certification through the BOC), Strength and Conditioning Coaches (with CSCS Certification through the NSCA or SCCC Certification through the CSCCa) as a way to recognize and identify individuals with advanced training, extraordinary interest and devotion to the science of postural adaptations, asymmetrical patterns and the influence of polyarticular chains of muscles on the human body as defined by the Postural Restoration Institute.

Annually, the PRI Board of Directors reviews certifications, evaluating their post-secondary education requirements, scope of practice standards, and continuing education requirements, in consideration for eligibility for our PRT credentialing program. Two years ago, Athletic Therapists (with Certification through the CATA) were added to the list of eligible candidates. Now eligible to apply for PRT: Certified Exercise Physiologists, Certified Clinical Exercise Physiologists, and Registered Clinical Exercise Physiologists (with Certification through the ACSM).

Postural Restoration Trained (PRT) applications are due annually on October 15th, and our next testing program will take place on January 8-9th, following the Impingement & Instability course in Lincoln. If you have any questions about the PRT application or testing process, please contact Jen.

Jennifer Platt

Posted August 4, 2017 at 2:33PM

Categories: Postural Restoration Trained (PRT)

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Ron Hruska Presenting at AAPMD Annual Meeting Pre-Conference Workshop

Ron Hruska will be presenting at the American Academy of Physiological Medicine and Dentistry (AAPMD) Annual Meeting pre-conference workshop in Puerto Rico, on September 13, 2017. The pre-conference workshop titled "A Collaborative Approach to Restoration of Airway, Posture and Breathing" will include Greg Johnson, Brad Gilden and Ron Hruska.

Synopsis of Ron's Workshop Presentation (4 Hours)
Pharyngeal airway volume, facial-skeletal asymmetries, maxillary or mandibular retrognathic occlusion and cranio-verticality usually correspond with functional patterns of prevalent lateral vertical cervical posture, lateral biased forward cervical posture and lateral trusive mandibular passive rest position and functional activity. A review of the literature will result in very little evidence suggesting that these prevalent patterns of hemi-diaphragmatic respiration, unilateral function of the cranium, mandible and cervical complex can contribute to overall airway, oro-pharyngeal, or cranial expansion. Yet the evidence of predominance and prevalence of unilateral cervical dysfunction, thoracic curvature of the spine (scoliosis) and eye dominance as related to temporal mandibular dysfunction and pain is overwhelming.

Based on his experience working directly with dentists, optometrists, podiatrists, speech therapists, audiologists, physical and occupational therapists, athletic trainers and strength and conditioning specialists over the last 27 years, he will share his observations and treatment intervention recommendations as they relate to patients who are experiencing symptoms related to predictable and prevalent integrated thoracic, cervical and cranial lateralized function and torsion. An overview of cervical position will be given as it relates to the most common patterns of the cranium and mandibular function. Guidelines implementing the dentist, physical or occupational therapist, and possibly optometrist will be provided to establish acceptable maxillary and mandibular myosseous and occlusal function. Osteopathic considerations and concepts will help support the foundation for this integrative model that is presently being implemented by many nationally and internationally Postural Restoration Institute® educated health care professionals and dentists.

CLICK HERE for more information on the AAPMD Annual Meeting in Puerto Rico. If you are interested in attending this pre-conference workshop, anybody that signs up for the pre-conference will receive $150 off the conference fee. The discount code is: WORKSHOP

Jennifer Platt

Posted July 26, 2017 at 1:53PM

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Occlusion and Gait: A clinical observation

During my work with Elizabeth Caughey DDS in our Integrative Postural Therapy business, we have noticed a consistent finding in many of our patients. In isolation it was interesting but when we began to juxtapose our findings with other research and with the foundational work done by James Anderson MPT, PRC we considered these findings much more important. The following white paper is a summary of those findings. Enjoy!

READ HERE

Posted July 20, 2017 at 2:54PM

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Boston, MA - Pelvis Restoration - Course in Review

Last weekend I had my first opportunity to speak to a group of movement professionals in the Behrakis Building at Northeastern University. Katie Delude and the team at Northeastern came highly regarded, and I learned why. Katie covered the lead role, Mike helped me with wifi codes and Kyle with integrating into the projector and sound. Thanks to the Northwestern team for pitching in!

This weekend was a rather large group of folks ranging from CSCS to LMT, to ATC to PT to SPT and strength coach, so I was blessed to have high quality lab instructors during our many lab sessions--hats off to Anita Furbush PT, PRC, Michael Mullin ATC, PTA, PRC and Donna Behr, DPT, PRC for giving us 'numbas' as instructors during lab. Great focus from both the class and the PRC instructors during lab time!

This weekend we discussed the inlet and outlet of the pelvis from many perspectives, the engineer and the welder perspectives in particular, as both have merit. "Best to be both" as contemporary movement science is concerned in relation to application integration of inlet and outlet position, stability and dynamic functional ability.

Thank you Benjamin Abbott, Sam Hammer, Edilio Flores, Payal Patel, Meghan Johnson, Adam "Slippery" Babcock, Katelyn Yerardi among others for their volunteering during various different components of lab time. Being able to watch and sense the course material makes the whole experience notably more effective on several fronts. To Michael Camporini, Joseph Erdos, Lori Rose and many others, thank you for your engaging, timely questions about varying components of the course as we covered rich content.

A lively group of engaging and passionate movement professionals made last weekend in Beantown at Northeastern noteworthy. High quality across the board!

Jesse Ham, CMP, PRC, PRI Faculty Member

Posted July 14, 2017 at 10:20AM

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Postural Respiration - New Haven, CT - Course in Review

This past weekend’s Postural Respiration was held at Quinnipiac University, at the Frank Netter School of Medicine, where many of his iconic, albeit symmetrical, medical illustrations line the hallways. We had a lively mix of PTs, ATCs, and SCSs, most of whom had at least some exposure to the PRI paradigm and were eager to develop a greater understanding of the science. Mainstay characters, such as little Russian boy, Charlie, Owen, the Chain Smoker, and pec-man illustrated how loss of alternating, reciprocal movement, from improper training, incomplete integration of primitive reflexes, or habitual, uni-dimensional postures contribute to a vicious cycle of compensated, sub-optimal breathing in an attempt to get air, leading to even greater compromise in breathing. Much time was devoted to getting hands on rib cages, securing a zone on the left, and guiding air flow to allow participants to feel more optimal respiration.
Special thanks to Brijesh Patel for hosting and keeping everyone well-fed; models Brian Wolfe, James Pasquin, Matt Herhal, Andrea Goldberg, and Vasilina Sosnina-Waldron; reader Nicholas Buchta; and the A-list lab assistants Donna Behr and Miguel Aragoncillo who provided superb clinical pearls.

Louise Kelley, DPT, PRC

Posted June 30, 2017 at 8:39AM

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Congratulations to our Newest PRT Class!

We are excited to announce and congratulate our second Postural Restoration Trained (PRT) Class in 2017! This was our first summer testing date, and we plan to offer this every three years, in addition to the annual January testing program. PRT is the result of completing multiple advanced PRI courses, demonstrating a thorough understanding of the science through completion of the PRT application, and successfully participating in practical and analytical testing. This past weekend, five gentleman earned the designation of Postural Restoration Trained (PRT) under the direction of Ron Hruska, Gibbie Duval and Jennifer Platt.

The Postural Restoration Institute® established this credentialing process in 2011 as a way to recognize and identify individuals with advanced training, extraordinary interest and devotion to the science of postural adaptations, asymmetrical patterns and the influence of polyarticular chains of muscles on the human body as defined by the Postural Restoration Institute®. The PRT credential is available to Certified Athletic Trainers, Certified Athletic Therapists and Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialists who have completed the course requirements, application and testing process. With the addition of this class, there are now 46 PRT professionals throughout the U.S and Internationally.

PRT credentialed athletic trainers and strength and conditioning coaches offer a unique approach to physical medicine and fitness called Postural Restoration®. This approach addresses underlying biomechanics which can often lead to symptoms of pain and dysfunction. All mechanical influences on the body that restrict movement and contribute to improper joint and muscle position are considered, examined, and assessed. Techniques are utilized to restore proper alignment of the body while proper respiratory dynamics are considered. Management encompasses prevention and lifetime integration for long-term successful outcomes.

Congratulations!

Pictured below from left to right: (Back Row) Jonathan Rowe, Gibbie Duval, Sean Light; (Front Row) Ron Hruska, Yusuke Nakayama, Jonathan Lam, Jennifer Platt and Joshua Ogden

Jennifer Platt

Posted June 27, 2017 at 9:36AM

Categories: Postural Restoration Trained (PRT)

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Desired PRI Clinical Application for Integrated Gait Progression Activities: Facilitating Right Brachial Inhale and Left Brachial Exhale During Left Stance.

Josh Olinick emailed this document titled “Desired PRI Clinical Application for Integrated Gait Progression Activities: Facilitating Right Brachial Inhale and Left Brachial Exhale During Left Stance”. Ron and I had a chance to go through this with Josh, and we love what he has put together. Ron is looking forward to discussing this document further at the Advanced Integration course in December!

Foreword from Josh:

I should start with the disclaimer that this was not my idea. I was talking with James Anderson a few years back and he suggested that I try taking the article he wrote on left AIC inhibition/ delay and modify for the brachial chains. I took a quick stab at it then, but wasn’t really happy with what I had come up with. At that time, I was over loaded by opening a new clinic and couldn’t commit the time needed, but the idea kept running around in my head. I had some time this year to write it out. I think what makes the Myokin content more easily understandable is that a human is either in right stance or left stance, and they are either in a Left AIC pattern or a Right AIC pattern (without compensations like a PEC). But the brachial chains seemed more complicated to me because they were more directly related to phase of respiration. Bramble and Carrier showed that humans differ from other animals in that they can take up to 6 steps per breath while running. This suggests that respiratory influence on the AIC and stance phase is more easily overridden than in the brachial chain. So rather than focusing on individual chain inhibitory musculature like James did in his article, I decided to take a step back and consider what a patient in a right brachial chain pattern needs during Left stance in a Right AIC pattern. Well, the easy answer that is taught in the Postural Respiration course is “Right Trunk Rotation”. The thing I kept running into though is that position of the trunk is dynamic during stance phase and that respiratory phase is independent of that. The more complete answer I came to is that in early left stance the right trunk needs to be more open (sooner) to reduce “listing” onto the left LE, thus the right chest wall needs to have a more inhaled state. Whereas in late left stance, the left trunk needs to remain closed (longer) to allow a right heel contact without premature compression of the Right rib cage (i.e. keeping the left rib cage exhaled longer). This idea is similar to James’ work on inhibition and delay in that the patient needs to get their left ZOA sooner (while the right upper trunk is rotated to the left) and keep it longer (while the right upper trunk is rotating towards the right – regardless of phase of breathing). Hopefully this can help others in activity choice during different phases of their patients plan of care!

Read the article HERE.

Jennifer Platt

Posted June 16, 2017 at 1:13PM

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"to the left to the left" Northeastern University - Myokinematic Restoration - Course in Review

It is always great to teach PRI at Northeastern University. The Sports Medicine Department has embraced the teachings of the Postural Restoration Institute and their entire staff does such an amazing job hosting courses for us. The facility is great having both a lecture room and an adjacent lab room for clinical testing and practicing techniques. Mike McKenney, ATC and Elizabeth Sheehan, ATC made sure we had everything we needed for a great weekend. The entire Northeastern staff in attendance were really starting to put this science together for their athletes! I enjoyed all of my "side bar" conversations with this group.

It was also great for me to see some faces I had just seen in Providence, RI a few weeks ago back for more PRI! Matt Silvaggio, MSPT, Matt Medeiros, DPT, Chris Gomes, DPT CSCS and Jonathon Carroll CSCS were all at University Orthopedics Pelvis Course with me. That makes me so happy to see clinicians enthusiasm to learn more! The Ah Has were going off for this group!

My lab assistants were a real power house. This was a large class so having 2 PRC's Donna Behr and Anita Furbush along with PRT's Miguel Aragoncillo and Navin Hettiarachchi was hugely supportive. This class size of 55 students was almost an equal split of rehab professionals and wellness professionals. So having support from both PRCs and PRTs was great!

38/55 students were what we call PRI newbies! The energy was positive and the depth of knowledge in this group was vast. Recently I have been teaching the Pelvis course a lot, so it was fun to switch gears into discussion of Hole Control and AF vs. FA control of a hip and pelvis! Personally I had the pleasure of teaching Kirsten Bombardier, DPT her first PRI course. Her parents and I have been friends for years and Kirsten used to babysit my girls when they were babies. How great it was to bring her into the PRINation! She left excited to sign up for her next PRI course.

Thanks again to all who attended and I appreciate all of the Twitter love that was sent out during and following the course. I teach for the love of PRI and I always learn from my course attendees!

A Big shout out to Queen B for her song Irreplaceable for giving me the quote of the weekend "to the left to the left". See you in the fall PRINation!

Jennifer Poulin

Posted June 14, 2017 at 10:57AM

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Dan Houglums first course! Myokinematic Restoration - Milwaukee, WI

PRI Nation made our maiden voyage into the Milwaukee area last weekend! I felt very honored to be the one to introduce PRI to an area that, as I found out during the course, is very interested in learning more about the science of PRI. We had 27 attendees who were learning about PRI for the first time, which was a great thrill. A big shout out to Sarah Petrich, DPT, PRC, who made the drive in from Minneapolis to be my lab assistant for the weekend. She was a great help and kept us on track with timely questions to promote further dialogue and explanation, such as "why and how is a resistance band in PRI used for 'assistance' rather than 'resistance'?" Another huge "Thank You" to Allen Weeks, DPT, who was gracious enough to be one of our main models for demonstration purposes, and allowed us to see and feel what a 4/5 Hruska Adduction Lift test looked and felt like. He allowed at least 15 of us an opportunity to slide under his leg so we could feel and see what a solid 4/5 Adduction Lift Test felt like as an examiner. Another huge thanks to Aurora and Marquette University for hosting the course, and special thanks to Gina Black, DPT, for all of her help as well. It was so exciting to see first time attendees like Brandon Yoder, ATC, Chris Turner, PT, Eric Davis, PTA, Nate Hornung, DPT, Eric Stone, CSCS, Ike Ogata, ATC, and Mark Payares, DPT, ask great questions about the gait pattern and how to apply PRI in their environment, as well as experience their own asymmetrical human form. It was also very rewarding to see familiar faces like Kali Frantz, ATC, Julie Martin, ATC, Jenna Wooten, CSCS, Kate Bowers, ATC, and Tenshi Furumi, ATC, coming back to attend another PRI course. It was a great weekend of skeleton sheets, asymmetrical patterned movement behavior, comparing the gait cycle to an interstate interchange, and needing less "Batman" and more "Bruce Wayne" in our lives!

Dan Houglum, MSPT, ATC/L, PRC

Posted June 12, 2017 at 11:47AM

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Kearney, NE - Postural Respiration - Course in Review

Driving a few hours down Interstate 80 to give a course on Posture and the Diaphragm is absolutely one of the most rewarding experiences I could have. Kearney is in the heartland of America, where the westward push of the railroad began as the Civil War ended. This course was held at the University of Nebraska-Kearney. Scott Unruh Ed.D, ATC, director of the Athletic Training program was our host coordinator and once again made all of us feel at home, even when the band was practicing down the hallway. Whitney Schroer ATC, our PRI student intern for the summer, was there to help with registration and administrative processes. Whitney is also working on obtaining her MPA through Grand Valley State. I asked her what she appreciated the most by attending her first PRI course on Postural Respiration and she replied; “I did not recognize how everyone is stronger on the right lower extremity during right push off and right hip extension. This allows them to rotate better to the left with their torsos and trunks, which is why they like to run counterclockwise around tracks versus clockwise”. She also appreciated knowing that our sternum in this situation becomes rotationally oriented to the left. Thoracic true rib rotation to the left, on a spine that remains oriented to the right, creates a flare of the distal left xiphoid and a depression of the right manubrium. (Right BC sternum orientation reflects right rib external rotation and left rib internal rotation). I always wonder what first time attendees take home from their first primary PRI course.

Bonnie Mevis DPT, Kathy Denning PT, and Kalista Carlson LMT were so helpful in allowing me to demonstrate manual technique procedures and outcomes. We had such powerful lab time with their help. Mark Cairns ATC,PRT and Justin Kral DPT, PRC were also instrumental in teaching and mentoring during our lab sessions. All in all, the time on the road reflecting, this community of integrative minds and the educational setting helped me appreciate even more the history and the importance of ‘westward push’ from Kearney!