Boston is a city known for its innovation – ranked fifth in the world – likely due in part to the 54 colleges located within the metro area. As so it was that 50 course attendees descended upon the campus of Northeastern University to learn how to apply the innovative concepts of patterned thoraco-abdominal mechanics into their existing treatment paradigms.
Many attendees had Myokinematic Restoration and/or Pelvis Restoration in their wheelhouse, so they were excited to expand upon their understanding of how it is that the diaphragm and rib cage, via directing air flow patterns, enables us to shift our COM to from the left to the right, and back again, for efficient gait.
Discussion of the differences in the neuromuscular behaviors of the right and left hemi-diaphragms, and their profound influence on the nervous system, movement quality, and behavior, are fundamental in PRI courses. This includes the differences in the right and left diaphragm’s Zone of Apposition and its role in rib cage expansion to allow our axial skeleton shift and rotate. Arm swing, when done properly, supports this process, promoting good rib movement and hemi-diaphragm position to reduce fatigue and promote healthy air flow patterns. These concepts were brought to life by the many photos of real patients. Their backgrounds gave insight into why it is they sit, stand, and breathe the way they do.
Of course, we had our own class of individuals who provided insight. Anita Furbush, PT, PRC, and Tyler Tanaka, DPT, PRC, were instrumental in providing clinical pearls and guiding participants during lab. Johnathan Blake, CPT, Amanda Donahue, ATC, Rachel Ferrucci, DPT, Brianna Papotto, ATC, Mansi Shah, DPT, and Sean Sheridan, DPT, kept the questions coming, prompting me to clarify concepts, which benefited the whole class. Thank you to our live “case studies”: Katie Brooks, MA, CPT; Lindsey Rockett, ERYT; and Joshua Robinson, CPT, who allowed us to identify and address the different patterns of polyarticular muscle chain over-activity that a patient/client may present with. Finally, a huge thank you goes out to the folks at Northeastern for hosting: Katie Brooks, Jai Chopra, ATC, Mark Mastone, ATC, CSCS, and Dan Sanzo, ATC, CSCS. Great facility and wonderful group of attendees!
