In Missoula, Montana, a river runs through it, flowing with Postural Restoration science and application provided at Revo Training Center in the heart of town. Revo is located in a former Baptist church with stained glass windows and high ceilings inside an older brick building that makes presenting courses at this location, well, heavenly! The space has inspiring acoustics and a modern day functional gym setting that is perfect for teaching and learning.
Postural Respiration was the primary course this past weekend presented to a diverse group of fitness personnel, PT’s, a DC, an occupational therapist, and a massage therapist from Canada. For most of the attendees this was their first exposure to Postural Respiration. With so many fitness professional attendees the application to performance was emphasized as well as clinical application to the healthcare professionals and their practices.
Fellow faculty member, Jason Miller, DPT, PRC, was our lab assistant who provided a clinical dialog that added so much value and clinical experience to everyone. Since Postural Respiration integrates a big part of Myokinematic Restoration on day one, Jason was able to describe the meaning and application of AIC testing and non-manual techniques. The discussion between Jason and I included brief discussions of Pelvis Restoration and how the thoracic diaphragm and the pelvic diaphragm integrate with the form and function of both diaphragms. Jason teaches Myokinematic Restoration and will be teaching Pelvis Restoration. His presence and experience was greatly appreciated by all in attendance including this instructor.
Accessory muscle overuse is one of the main topics regarding patho-mechanical respiration especially as it applies to forward head posture and Superior T-4 Syndrome. A “nod” to Cervical Revolution was provided since respiration, in large part, determines balanced rotation and neutrality of the neck and management of the airway.
Student lab examples included one individual that became neutral in the pelvis and ribcage with only non-manual techniques, one individual that needed a ZOA manual technique to achieve neutrality and a third individual that needed several manual techniques including subclavius release but still could not achieve neutrality in terms of the ability to adduct both femurs. The clinical discussion of how to explore more detailed reasons opened the door to not only secondary and tertiary course application but the need for relaxed persistence and competence of the practitioner. That discussion between Jason and I could not have been more informative for clinical application for this group. A fourth student who played four years of college football as a lineman and strong PEC was provided a two person infraclavicular pump by Jason and myself and exhibited the ability to become bilaterally neutral with both femurs adducting as the final demonstration at 4:30 pm on Sunday afternoon! Nothing like a little PRI magic to finish a course and both instructors were happy for the result!
Thank you so much to the Revo crew including Callie, Grant, Kirsten, and Mariah for providing such a great venue. Huge thanks to my friend, fellow faculty member and colleague Jason Miller, DPT, PRC for his knowledge and experience. And, thank you to all attendees from different disciplines for traveling and sharing this PRI experience.
-Skip George
