In this episode of the Postural Restoration Podcast I welcomed Takashi Onuki MS, ATC, CSCS, PES, PRT who not only teaches alongside Kenny Ishii and Sayuri Abe-Hiraishi as a PRI Japan Faculty member but also acts as PRI Japan’s Education Coordinator. Takashi grew up loving the sport of Baseball and not only played but later became involved with the sport as an Athletic Trainer in the MLB. Takashi first recognized his interest in biomechanics and sports medicine as a player dealing with his own injury. The desire to remain in the industry led Takashi to move to the United States to continue his education. First learning English as a second language, then a Bachelors of Science from Towson University and his Masters in Applied Physiology and Kinesiology at the University of Florida. 

Takashi spent a season with the Texas Rangers for his first internship and later was hired by the Medical Center of Arlington as the head Athletic Trainer for the Fort Worth Flyers. Takashi has also spent time in other various clinical settings and in 2012 joined the Arizona Diamondbacks as a minor league Athletic Trainer before returning to live in Japan.

Takashi was introduced to PRI by Kenny Ishii, and quickly became passionate about respiration and positional integration from an injury prevention mindset. Shortly after returning home to Japan, Takashi worked towards earning his PRT Credential and earned this designation as part of the Class of 2016. He has since joined the PRI Japan Staff and also teaches several PRI courses there throughout the year. His interest in breathing mechanics and injury prevention strategies for the general population and athletes alike, have led him to author several books on these foundational concepts in an effort to introduce PRI concepts in Japan.
 

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In the Eighth Episode of the Postural Restoration Podcast I sat down with Sayuri Abe-Hiraishi, MS, ATC, CSCS, PRT  to discuss her involvement in the history and foundation of PRI Japan. Sy grew up in Tokyo and early on in her education had a desire to work within the field of Athletic Medicine. This would eventually lead her to the United States to pursue a degree in Athletic Training. During her education here Sy attended Texas State University, The University of Florida and eventually returned to Texas in Corpus Christi to further her career in Athletic Training. While working with various athletics and fulfilling roles as and education coordinator and full time faculty for the university, Sy was told about the science of PRI from Kenny Ishii who she had met years prior while pursuing her undergraduate studies at Texas State. Eventually Sy along with her now husband Keitaro Abe, who is currently the only PRC in Japan, enrolled in the Myokinematic Restoration Home Study. She quickly began her PRI journey and completed the following two Primary Course home studies. Sy became a Postural Restoration Trained provider in 2014 and shortly after was part of the initial conversations to formally offer PRI coursework in Japan. Since returning to Japan Sy has become highly involved with various projects including the foundation of Teikyo Universities first Athletic Performance clinic which recently became a PRI Center. She also works with PRT Takuto Kondo offering online resources relating to various health topics through a venture called “AZcares”. Sy has helped translate and offer all three Primary Courses alongside Kenny throughout the growth of PRI Japan, and is excited to be a speaker for the Second Annual PRI Japan Symposium next spring.

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In the Seventh Episode of the Postural Restoration Podcast I am joined by Kentaro Ishii, MS, ATC/L, PES, CES, CSCS, PRT (Kenny) from Tokyo, Japan. Kenny grew up in Mishima, Japan and after attending school there moved to the United States to pursue further education in Athletic Training at Texas Christian University (TCU). While there Kenny gained his Bachelors of Science in Athletic Training and later went on to achieve his Masters of Science in Exercise Science through California University of Pennsylvania. Kenny has a wide ranging background in sports medicine including time with the Fort Worth Flyers, Dallas Cowboys, Kansas City Wizards (Sporting KC) and various other settings. While working with Sporting KC initially as an assistant Athletic Trainer and later as the head Athletic Trainer and Rehab Coordinator, Kenny was introduced to PRI techniques through the players there who were already utilizing these concepts. After completing his first Myokinematic course and being able to implement the techniques further with his athletes, the clinical success drove Kenny to become more interested in the science as a whole. Kenny received his PRT Credential in 2012 as part of the first ever PRT Class. Shortly after, as the demand for PRI grew in Japan, Kenny along with Sayuri Abe-Hiraishi, (Sy) joined the PRI Faculty and worked to translate Myokinematic Restoration to Japanese, offering it in Japan for the first time in 2015. He has since worked alongside Sy and Takashi to translate Postural Respiration and Pelvis Restoration and is currently working on the translation of Impingement & Instability and several of the PRI Manual and Non-Manual Technique programs. Over the last several years PRI Japan has quickly evolved to offer numerous courses throughout the year and last Spring offered their first ever PRI Japan Symposium. Kenny currently resides in his hometown of Mishima and Practices through several avenues including the U.S. Men’s National Team, Teikyo University, and other private consultation and personal endeavors. 

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In the Sixth Episode of the Postural Restoration Podcast I am welcomed by Dan Houglum, ATC, MSPT, PRC. Dan is an Athletic Training graduate of South Dakota State University, and furthered his pursuit of Physical Therapy at Des Moines University receiving his Masters in 1999. Dan was first introduced to Ron during his clinical rotation at St. Elizabeth’s outpatient PT department in Lincoln. Although he knew Ron’s technique was unique, it wasn’t until later attending a one day Protonics course in Chicago that Dan would start his journey of learning more about this approach. 

Dan’s knowledge of Athletic Training and the biomechanics behind human movement provide a solid foundation in his clinical skillset. Dan’s orthopedic background in various hospital settings and outpatient clinics, strengthen his ability to focus on the structure and function of lower extremity kinematics as he presents Myokinematic Restoration each year. Dan has Authored various articles, most recently including “Hruska Abduction and Adduction Lift Tests as Related To the Gait Cycle” and “Hruska ADDuction and ABDuction Lift Tests Related to PRI Reference Centers”. 

Dan was a member of the PRC class of 2012, and became PRI Faculty in 2016. He currently practices in Wilmette, IL and owns and operates Houglum Physical Therapy in a shared space with PRC Donna Parise-Bryne and her Pilates Central Studio. Dan currently teaches Myokinematic Restoration and will begin training to teach Postural Respiration in 2020!

Listen to the podcast here.

 Welcome to the fifth episode of the Postural Restoration Podcast! In this episode I am joined by Lori Thomsen, MPT, PRC. Lori attended Nebraska Wesleyan University prior to working towards her Masters of Physical Therapy at the University of Nebraska Medical Center which she received in 1995. Although Lori first met Ron Hruska at a dinner party through a mutual friend, it wasn’t until she heard him lecture on Temporomandibular Joint Dysfunction (TMD) at UNMC that she recognized his unique way of thinking. Lori would go on to complete her last clinical rotation at St. Elizabeth’s Regional Medical Center in the Physical Therapy department which was under the direction of Ron at the time.

Lori started her career working with the Geriatric population which led her to in-patient care at Bryan Medical Center. She then shifted her career into Home Health Rehab where she spent more time centered around each patient and their individual needs. Lori spent five years in this setting before receiving news that her husband Cory, would be moved to North Dakota to new management job there. This move would lead Lori into her first Outpatient setting, taking a job at Riverview Health in Crookston, MN.

After making this move she quickly attended Myokinematic Restoration in Minneapolis, MN. Sharing a table with PRC’s Karen Jiran & Carrie Langer,  her PRI journey quickly began. Lori returned to the clinic and starting implementing what she had learned immediately. After successful outcomes started to occur and patient success was increased, she was encouraged to attend Advanced Integration for the first time in Lincoln. Shortly after attending Advanced Integration and seeing the first PRC class go through credentialing, Lori worked towards the same goal. In 2005 Lori earned her Postural Restoration Certified Credential as part of the second class.

In 2006, Lori was hired as the fifth staff Physical Therapist and Director of Operations at the Hruska Clinic. Lori’s strong interest in running led her to working with this population in the clinic while using her own personal experience as a runner to guide her patients. Lori has a long history of presenting these concepts to running clinics, high-schools, and to anyone interested in learning more about this science. In 2010 Lori was asked to work with PRC, Heather Engelburt, to help develop what would later become the Pelvis Restoration course. As a result Lori would become faculty and continue to teach this newly created course.

Lori is also recognized for her contribution in creating the annual Hruska Clinic shoe list. Her passion and experience as a runner and her clinical experience working from the ground up led Lori to focus on proper foot mechanics and footwear for each patient’s individual needs. PRI Orthotics are used in helping patients to find and feel their Heel, Arch & Toes but proper shoes are continually fit to aid in this process.  Lori dedicates several hours to this resource each year as she reviews each new shoe as she updates each version of that list. When not in the clinic or teaching these concepts, Lori enjoys time with her husband whether that be traveling or attending Husker Football games, and time with her dog Oakley. She continues to take part in community outreach events and volunteers on a regular basis.

Listen to the podcast here.

Welcome to the fourth episode of the Postural Restoration Podcast! In this episode, I am joined by Jennifer Poulin PT, PRC who graduated from the University of Vermont in Burlington and currently resides and practices in Pinehurst, NC. After several clinical opportunities which took Jen to New Orleans, followed by a short time in Tennessee, Jen had a desire to return home to Burlington. It was during this time that she encountered one of her first clinical mentors, Scott Sears who was one of the initial PRI supporters in Burlington. Following this opportunity Jen was introduced to yet another mentor in Jim Downs who would help lead Jen to the creation and foundation of Longtrail Physical Therapy. Jen worked as part owner of Longtrail PT for about 5 years in what she describes as a high volume clinical setting. It was during this time that Jen met her husband Chris, who was working on his Athletic Training hours under the Athletic Trainer employed by Longtrail at the time. Jen and Chris quickly grew their practice, not through a specific referral source but rather by focusing on the Student Athlete and General Public as a whole. This foundation and their focus on Sports Performance would continue to be the basis for their future growth!

While becoming increasingly frustrated from seeing 3-4 patients per hour, Jen found herself looking for more. While considering other routes of clinical care, Jen completed several Continuing Education courses in the hopes of adding some clinical knowledge to her skill set. Through another Physical Therapist, Lesli Bell, Jen was introduced to a Private Protonics course at the nearby "Timberlane Physical Therapy" clinic when she first met Ron Hruska. Michelin Carroll, a longtime supporter of our institute attended a Protonics course and played a Pivotal role in bringing Ron to Timberlane. Through meeting Leslie he would later return numerous times to this PRI hotbed. After the initial implementation of some of these concepts Jen and Chris felt compelled to open up their own practice, allowing them to spend more time with patients and incorporate other forms of patient care.

Through the creation of Poulin Performance, Jen and Chris were able to blend the best of both of their professional worlds under one roof. Poulin Performance would quickly become a successful Athletic Performance and Rehab Facility. Jen and Chris quickly began hosting PRI courses and their roles of providing Mentor-ship to many new employees and students followed. After becoming Postural Restoration Certified in 2005, Jen and her staff attended numerous courses. Following the completion of the Cervical Cranio-Mandibular course taught at Poulin Performance by Ron Hruska, Jen voiced her desire to help teach for the institute. Through further development and guidance Jen joined the PRI Faculty in 2010. Since then Jen and Chris have used the very same model and foundation they created in Vermont, and have started Sandhills Sports Performance after moving to Pinehurst, NC.

Sandhills Sports Performance welcomes many patients from the area, specifically a large number of Military families and Golfers. Jen continues to focus largely on mentor-ship and the development of her employees alongside the education of her patients to better their outcomes while incorporating Postural Restoration. Jen hopes to continue this passion while spreading their model to several new cities in the years to come!

Listen to Jen’s episode here.

Welcome to the first episode of the Postural Restoration Podcast! In this Episode, I am joined by Founder and Director of the Postural Restoration Institute, Ron Hruska. The foundation of the Postural Restoration Institute resulted from many years of Clinical Practice and a strong interest in the patterns and positioning that at the time seemed to be the cause of many patients’ pain and dysfunction.

Ron discusses his time in Graduate school pursuing a Master’s in Public Administration after receiving his Physical Therapy degree from the University Of Nebraska Medical Center. His time working at the V.A. Medical Hospital as well as his eventual role as Director of Physical Therapy at St. Elizabeth’s Hospital in Lincoln, NE both played roles in his desire to look at and treat the human body through a multidisciplinary, systematic approach.

This led Ron to create other ways of treating patterned dysfunction, initially through the use of the first “Re-Positioning” device called Protonics. Although Protonics looked and seemed to function to many in the orthopedic world as a Patello-Femoral “Brace”, it was actually much more. Using this device allowed him to "Re-Pattern” bi-lateral chains of muscle and look at orthopedics from a Femoral-Patella lens.

Eventually this device left Ron with the desire to move into the private practice setting. In order to dedicate more time to roles with the APTA Association, and more time dedicated to learning and discovering further ways to develop these ideas. Protonics allowed him to connect with and teach other clinicians, including some of the first PRI Faculty members. Following the creation of the Hruska Clinic, Restorative Physical Therapy Services in 1999, Ron worked with fellow Physical Therapist Jason Masek and others to create some of the earliest PRI Non-Manual Techniques.

As this science continued to grow, PRI Director Janie Ebmeier was put in charge of helping to develop what would become the first Postural Restoration course which would later be renamed to “Postural Respiration”. With the foundation of the Postural Restoration Institute in 2000, other courses including Myokinematic Restoration and a course focusing on the Pelvic-Femoral Complex were quick additions. We now are proud to offer more than 15 different courses, which have been developed to build upon these three Primary Courses

I welcome you to join us on this journey as we continue to explore how the creation of this science has changed the way coaches and clinicians approach the treatment of the human body.

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Listen to Episode 1 HERE!