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What a wonderful time Ron and I had in Chapel Hill North Carolina last weekend with the first offering of the Pediatric Evolution: An Integrated Approach to Optimizing Functional Development and Upright Growth secondary course. We welcomed the cooler fall weather and were graciously hosted by the crew at Advance Physical Therapy: Jean Masse, Susan Henning, Joe Belding, Molly Miller, Heather McLaughlin, and Phil DeNigris.

With an intimate and in-person group, we were able to have some fascinating discussions about the sequencing of human sensory motor development during the first several years of life, and how these components are influenced by specific developmental processes, for example: tonic neck reflexes, lower extremity extension, visual and central auditory processing, stomatognathic sensorimotor shifting, vocal communication, cognitive processing and how this integration is engrained through kinesemiotic experiences (unrestricted movement, joy and fun!)

We were reminded about the evolution of theories of motor control and what we know about how movement develops, from reflexive survival skills to functional motor performance to adaptations and neuroplasticity. Nine well-referenced principles of how sensory motor skills and the developmental processes listed above are integrated for bi-hemispheric, bi-lateralized, and bilaterally sensed behavior were presented. A sampling of these includes Hemispheric Specialization Relating to Perceptual Patterning, Functional Asymmetry Development, Functional Cortical Dominance, Forces of Gravity on Neuro-developmental Sensory Motor Sequences, and principles of Neuroadaptation. A formal appreciation of Sense of Self develops early and lasts throughout the lifespan, which makes this course relevant and important for patients, clients, and humans of all ages.

Many thanks again to our accomodating hosts for great hospitality, super snacks, and an enviroment that respected the individuals and the tasks. (Did you catch the Dynamic Systems Theory pun?) Special thanks to Jennifer Smart for her valuable contributions to both the creation and presentation of the course, and  also to Carrie Vande Berg, Eric Menchi, Steven Blair, Brandon Byrne and Kyle Langworthy For catalyzing discussions which richly enhanced our teaching.

Recently I had the pleasure of travelling to Charlotte NC to teach my last PRI course of 2022, Pelvis Restoration! I was so happy to be joined by no other than my biggest supporter, my husband, Chris Poulin. Chris joined me to help with the lab and answer questions regarding the material presented. It is always great to have him with me, of course, but also to provide insight on application to Athletic Trainers and Strength and Conditioning Specialists. This course is one of my favorite PRI courses not only to teach but to use clinically. It is truly an integrated course when it comes to the discussions of respiration as it relates to the pelvic inlet and outlets. I had several new clinicians and almost half of the class considered themselves Pelvic therapists. I love to have conversations with new clinicians familar with the Pelvic Diaphragm, especially those that do internal work. Their contributions to a challenging patient population, do not go unnoticed. Clinicians familar with the work of Paul Hodges appreciate the integration of respiration, abdominal control and frontal plane pelvic control. PRI sheds a new and exciting missing link to some patients that are not responding to treatment! Personally, I was able to spend some time with my family in Charlotte, enjoy a nice meal at Supperland and cheer on the App State Mountaineers that upset Texas A&M on Saturday night. Teaching PRI is one of my proudest professional achievements I have accomplished in my career. I am thankful for a short fall teaching season. I can now enjoy the next several weekends cheering on my first love the NC STATE Wolfpack Go Pack!! Thank-you to all that have learned from me this year. I am truly honored to be your teacher

Cervical Revolution came back to Lincoln this past weekend with a large zoom audience spanning internationally from Asia to North America to Europe. I had the pleasure of teaching to a live audience as well as having the added assistance of Louise Kelley, PT to help breakdown PRI concepts including  the finer parts of technique for de-rotation of the Right TMCC as it relates to not only the cervical spine but the entire system as well. In attendance was an impressive interdisciplinary group including movement specialists, strength and conditioning professionals, massage and soft tissue professionals, chiropractors, physical therapists, an osteopath, two dentists and one RN who is also a CSCS wanting to expand his horizons!

This is a course about the cervical spine and the need for revolvement that maintains alternation side to side, brainstem oscillation, temporal bone "wobble" and a jaw that can freely move side to side to keep a neck and nervous system in balance of an asymmetrical human that can stand erect and move fully and freely. Atlas and occipital bones make up a highly neurologic articulation with a brainstem and autonomics that are intimately connected to this highly reflexive region. This course is the gateway to the cranium and the introduction to top down as well as bottom up concepts of PRI. The cervical, cranial and occlusal systems are all integrated in this course and an impressive demonstration for all, especially the dentists, was provided with a simple mouth guard that Ron made for Louise the day before the course started. I demonstrated this stomatognathic example with Louise by first testing her cervical spine with a mouth guard that gave her right molar contact and reinforced her RTMCC pattern resulting in positive tests of her cervical spine. Another mouth guard was then utilized that dis-occluded her right molar contact while giving her left molar contact sense and all of her tests became negative immediately. This demonstrated the neurologic effect of a simple mandibular appliance on not only the cervical spine but the entire neuro-respiratory-biomechanical system.

Needless to say, this was communicated to me by a student as ‘mind blowing’ and brought an experiential example of the power of this course. Thank you to RJ for expert facilitation of this course over the weekend, Louise Kelley for being such a great lab assistant and team mate and Ron Hruska for spending Friday before the course reviewing advanced PRI concepts. Most of all, thanks for all of the students in attendance especially from international locations that stayed up really late or got up really early and for all of the diverse professions that contributed their advanced thought and experience to the enrichment of this weekend.

After a three year Covid 19 hiatus, PRI was back at Lindebergs Academy in Munich, Germany to present Postural Respiration and Cervical Revolution in July of this year.  I had the privilege to teach both courses in Munich and it was the highlight of my career filled with many highlights as a faculty member for PRI. 

Students representing diverse disciplines and professions from all over Europe were in attendance.  Germany was well represented as well as Austria, Norway, Ireland, Britain, Australia and even a student who rode a bus for 10 hours from Slovenia!  Shout out to Naja for making that long trip on a bus.  There was even a physical therapist, Paula, who came in from Australia.  Francesca came all the way from Norway and Maria and Julia came in from Vienna and another small town in Austria!  I can’t forget Rob, and no one else will either, from Dublin!  And Beth made it from America on the F1 circuit in Europe!

The interdisciplinary approach of PRI principles spans many specialties and professions and in these courses we had physical therapists, athletic trainers, pilates instructors, personal trainers, kinesiologists, a speech therapist and two M.D.’s that integrate PRI into their practice models.

As a faculty member I was so impressed with the curiosity, energy, warmth and enthusiasm not only from the students but the staff at Lindebergs Academy as well.  Regina was so gracious and helpful with facilitating these two courses providing set up of tables in the course room and great food.  Also, Regina lent me her bicycle so I could ride all over Munich to really get a sense of this magnificent city.  Lindebergs is a state-of-the-art facility and to have the support of Regina and the entire Lindebergs crew is a faculty member’s dream.

Daniel Muller is a PRI veteran and has been vital in our presence at the Academy, Germany and Europe at large.  He was instrumental in making sure these courses were successful and that student and instructor needs were fulfilled beyond expectation.  Daniel also took me around Munich and provided friendship for a stranger in a foreign land for which I am eternally grateful. 

Our lab assistant was the incomparable Kazu Nishimura.  Anyone who can speak two languages impresses me but Japanese, German and English?  The quality of Kazu’s help was another layer of support and enhancement that added to the most positive experience of these two courses and helped enrich the learning experience for everyone in attendance.  He rode a bus for six hours from Berlin!

Munich has been the PRI hub of Europe and once again interest, energy and enthusiasm is growing for more courses.  As a result Pelvis Restoration with Lori Thomsen will be taught next May and then in July  Dan Houglum will teach both Myokinematic Restoration and Impingement and Instability.   The Interest in those three courses was a resounding “we can hardly wait” for PRI to come back.  And as an Institute, we can hardly wait to go back to Munich and continue to build PRI Nation internationally.   Thanks to Ron, Jen, RJ and Hannah for your hard work to help make this trip professionally and  personally satisfying for me.  At the end of teaching I took 10 days to explore and hike the Austrian Alps and the Dolomites of the Italian Alps.  Every moment was quintessential and an irreplaceable lifetime experience to explore and discover a new land, different cultures and spending time in beautiful cities, small towns and hiking in achingly beautiful mountains alone and with friends that live in Europe. 

As always, I enjoyed my weekend at the home of PRI in Lincoln, NE to present Postural Respiration to an in-person and virtual group with my friend and colleague Jen Platt, PT, PRC. Although virtual learning can be a challenging format to gauge the interest and energy of attendees, such was not the case with this group, who offered many questions, insightful comments, and thumbs-up to relay to this instructor “Yes, we got this concept.” Our in-person squad was instrumental in helping illustrate concepts, serving as models for the PRI tests and non-manual and manual techniques. A huge thank you to our models Hailey Beasley, PTA, Jason Bushie, ATC, Ellen Kindelsperger, DC, and Tasuku Kurane, ATC, for your willingness to express what you sensed during and following each technique.

As anyone who has taken Postural Respiration knows, there is a great deal of research and conceptual material to sift through, contemplate, and consider. What is quickly understood, by practitioners both new to the science and with numerous courses under their belt, is that the PRI approach can be applied to any and all patients/clients. Its techniques offer a game-changing approach to care. The many lab sessions provide experiential learning and an opportunity to practice how to present and explain the how and why of assessment and treatment with the “patient” in front of you.

It is not enough to simply move air in and out of the thorax. All humans accomplish this, one way or another, to stay alive. It is the ability to direct that bolus of air into different regions of the thorax that determines how variable and efficient our movements may be, how we experience the environment around us, and how well we rest at night. This ability becomes compromised the longer we are constrained by the human’s natural asymmetries that become reinforced by static postures and repetitive activities of daily life. Ensuring the balanced roles of the left and right hemi-diaphragm, that of both posture and respiration, requires an understanding of how to maintain each diaphragm’s zone of apposition, inhibit deleterious muscle over-activity, and re-establish a sense of expansion of the posterior mediastinum from which new, healthier patterns of movement can emerge. These foundational concepts are what Postural Respiration is all about.

Thank you to all attendees for taking time out of your summer to challenge your thinking and grow professionally. It was nice to see many newcomers to the science as well as veterans such as Brittany LaFountaine, DPT, PRC, and Joe Siracusano, DPT. I encourage all of you to keep asking questions and seeking answers, through the PRI website resources, dialogue with fellow clinicians, PRIVY, and the many courses that PRI has to offer

"Virginia is for (PRI) lovers". The state slogan fit in perfectly this weekend at fellow PRC Julie Blandin’s beautiful clinic, Thrive Proactive Health. Craig Depperschmidt, DPT, PRC and myself tag teamed teaching Myokinematic Restoration to a room full of PTs, ATCs, LMTs, personal trainers, a DC, and even a PA. There wasn’t a dull moment all weekend and the energy was contagious from the attendees. Our first day was full of "learning the PRI lingo" and basics of the left AIC pattern as well as the influence it has on the position of the lumbo-pelvic-femoral complex. We ended the day with lab and using 5 tests to determine the position of the left and right pelvis starting with the Adduction Drop Test. The second day was up and moving (literally) as half of the day was spent in lab using the Hruska Adduction and Abduction lift tests to help determine treatment. We went through the myokinematic hierarchy techniques and inhibition techniques along with the rationale for each. All in all, it was an excellent weekend with PRI enthusiasists!

Every PRI course has its own unique flavor, and the major reason for that is the attendees. We had a unique blend of movement specialists for this recent Myokinemtatic Restoration course. Many times, upwards of 80-90% of the attendees have not taken a PRI course before, and usually the remaining attendees may have had a prior PRI course, but not Myokin. What made this course unique was most of the attendees had taken a PRI course prior to this one, and for a few folks, they had taken many PRI courses. It was a treat to have Skip George, DC, PRC, PRI Faculty in attendance. Skip’s point of view was exceptionally helpful, as he is able lend a chiropractor’s perspective to PRI since we had another chiropractor in attendance. It was an honor to have Lucy Yu, DPT, LMT, in attendance.

Lucy wrote a fantastic article regarding PRI and evidence based practice (EPB), and it is in the back pocket of every Myokin manual. I have seen her name many, many times, and read her paper many times as well. She was kind enough to spend a few minutes discussing her paper and how, by any criteria, PRI meets the standard of EBP. It was a wonderful conversation, and further strengthens the science of PRI by demonstrating its absolute support by research.

Craig Depperschmidt, DPT, PRC, and Jason Miller PT, PRC, are training to teach Myokin, and they did an incredible job. When learning a new concept, it is helpful to hear several different perspectives surrounding the topic, as different perspectives often allow the material to resonate more easily with more people. We were blessed to have three speakers for this course, lending clinical experience, as well as personal perspective to the material. It’s not often that the live attendees receive almost one-on-one attention during our labs, but that’s essentially what we had with three instructors and four live attendees. Myokin is roughly one-third lab time, so our in-person attendees were able to experience all of the tests and non-manual techniques on themselves several times during lab.

My thanks to our live attendees, and their willingness to learn, ask questions, and allow us to use them for demonstration. Their attendance helped the learning process for the live stream attendees, in lab as well as in demonstration. We are very thankful to Angela Marchant, JJ Miranda, Paul McMahon, and Gabrielle Williams-Hubbard. We know you all came a long distance to be with us, and we greatly appreciate your attendance.

And it was Jason Miller’s birthday! It was an honor that Jason was willing to spend his birthday weekend helping to teach the science of PRI. It was probably a wise decision on his part to not let any of us know that it was his birthday during the course. There is a small chance we would have called him Birthday Boy the entire weekend. Despite that lost opportunity, this was a very unique and memorable course.

On August 19th at 1pm CT, Ron Hruska will be hosting a free 90-minute webinar presentation on the topic of “Mandibular Temporal Latero-Rotary Movement Influence on Palatal, Occlusal, Glossal and Podal Orientation“.

This presentation will outline the musculature that is responsible for ideal paired temporal, palatine and palate bone position and function. A review of the intra-oral and extra-oral latero-trusive anatomy responsible for alignment of the pharynx, width of the oral cavity, developmental adaptations of the floor of the mouth, buccal to buccal occlusion, and stomato-plantar pressure will be offered. Relationship of common mal-adaptation and mal-occlusal patterns associated with homolateral mandibular hyperactivity will be discussed.

If you are a dentist, or movement specialist who is working together with a dentist as an interdisciplinary team, you will not want to miss this free webinar! Please feel free to share this information with other colleagues who might be interested in attending.

Thrive Proactive Health in beautiful Virginia Beach, VA is looking for a PRI educated therapist or trainer passionate about Postural Restoration. Ideal candiate is hard working, enjoys working on a team, and has an intense desire to learn and expand their knowledge.

Apply online or email resume and cover letter to thrivevb@gmail.com

Thrive is an interdisciplinary practice that specializes in a variety of rehab and self care modalities including Massage, Chiropractic, Acupuncture, Energy Medicine, Cupping, Breathing Therapy, Postural Restoration, Restorative Fitness, Small Group Personal Training, Nutrition, Lifestyle Medicine and Physical Therapy. We are currently looking for a Licensed Physical Therapist who is hard working and passionate about their craft, and has an intense desire to learn and expand their knowledge.

This position has flexibility as well as leadership growth opportunity for those interested. Part Time or Full Time work may be available. Full time Benefits include: Continuing Education, Medical, Dental & Vision, 401K, Direct Deposit, Paid Vacation, Employee Discounts, and Sign on Bonus.

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While we incorporate many tools and therapies to help our clients and patients. Postural Restoration (PRI) is a specialty that many of our staff members are trained in, and we are a certified Postural Restoration Center.  If you do not have extensive experience in Postural Restoration, we are willing to train and invest in any team member that is committed to growing in our organization. We are a close knit, hard-working, result orientated team that enjoys helping people get well and keep moving!

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Learn more about Thrive online and look for us on social media @thriveproactivehealth

Dynamic Life Therapy & Wellness is a private wellness clinic in Columbus, Nebraska offering PT, OT, massage therapy and fitness and yoga classes. We are seeking a Physical Therapist to join our team. We are an award-winning clinic for our excellent patient outcomes practicing innovative, progressive care. We have a strong clinical team specializing in Postural Restoration to keep our patients healthy at home and in the workforce. We believe in one-on-one patient centered care individualized to each patient’s needs and abilities.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

• Providing interpretation of prescriptions, performing an initial evaluation, and establishing a treatment plan with functional goals and treatment progression with discharge planning documented in a timely, compliant manner using web based EMR

• Periodic communication to physicians

• Supervision of PTA when applicable

• Responsible for establishing and developing professional relationships with referral sources and the community including, but not limited to, physicians, PAs, occupational therapists, chiropractors, case managers, community service groups, etc.

• Complete all licensing and compliance standards as required

Expectations:

• Great patient care and service

• A positive, self-motivated attitude

• Lifelong learner and educator

• A passion for your profession and your patients

We offer:

• Competitive salary

• Paid CEUs and training

• No weekends or holidays

• Retirement and disability insurance benefits

If you are looking for a friendly, flexible workplace that is invested in helping you be the PT you want to be, we look forward to visiting with you. Preference for a therapist trained in Postural Restoration but willing to train. Please apply through whatever means you found this ad. More information about our clinic at dynamiclifetherapy.com.

Work Remotely: No

Job Type: Full-time or Part-Time

Pay: $35.00 – $45.00 per hour

For more information, please email livewell@dynamiclifetherapy.com

LICENSED PHYSICAL THERAPIST ASSISTANT – IMMEDIATE JOB OPENING IN WARNER ROBINS, GEORGIA
**Now Accepting Applications from New Grads, Upcoming Grads, and Clinicians with Previous Experience**

The Cantrell Center for Physical Therapy & Wellness became Postural Restoration Certified Center in 2008 and we are the only Postural Restoration Certified Facility in the state. We’re proud to have served Middle Georgia and the community at large as an independently owned clinic and wellness facility for over 30 years!

What makes the Cantrell Center a great place to work?
We are a collaborative environment, where patient care is paramount and each team member’s gifts and experiences blend to create an atmosphere of integrity and encouragement. As part of our team, you will work side-by-side with like-minded and dedicated colleagues, while enjoying the opportunity to build your own career.

We believe every patient has unique needs and concerns and those are best addressed one-on-one. NO COOKIE-CUTTER treatments.

Located in Warner Robins, Georgia, the Cantrell Center is located in the Middle of the state! Just a quick drive to Atlanta or the beach, Warner Robins offers convenience to any interest without the crime rate and elevated costs of a larger city.  Visit the website of Robins Regional Chamber for more information about the city of Warner Robins.

WE OFFER:
– A Work/Life Balance
– Outstanding work environment
– Commitment to clinical excellence
– Team atmosphere
– Ethical standards
– Constant training and learning
– An excellent mentoring program for new hires – especially for new grads
– Competitive salary and benefits package

To learn more about why our staff of 30+ calls the Cantrell Center “home”, connect with us online:
•  LinkedIn
•  Facebook
•  Instagram
•  Learn about our Annual Cantrell Center 5K & Fun Run

If you would like more information or are interested in setting up a time to shadow and interview, please send your resume and cover letter to Jen Zamora at pr@cantrellcenter.com.

Huntington Beach was the location of the California Chiropractic Association’s (CalChiro) annual sports symposium on May 21-22. There were a wide range of topics including shoulder diagnosis to sports psychology to treating Marfan’s patients and then on to several approaches of functional movement specialties for rehabilitation and sport performance in a chiropractic practice.

I had the privilege of representing the Postural Restoration Institute and the topic presented was on the “The Two Roles of the Diaphragm in Chiropractic, Rehabilitation and Sport Performance”. This topic with lecture and lab had an enthusiastic response and many of the attendees that had taken a PRI course before were “fired up” to learn more. Those who had never heard of PRI or were unfamiliar with our approach were very curious to learn more especially regarding the thoracic diaphragm, breathing in sport performance and pelvic floor dysfunction.

This was the first time PRI was represented along with DNS and SFMA in the same venue at a chiropractic symposium. I got to know Michael Rintala, D.C. who teaches for DNS and Greg Rose, D.C. who developed the SFMA and it was a pleasure to get to know these two highly dedicated and competent practitioners on a personal and professional level.

 
I was more than thrilled to represent PRI to progressive chiropractors open to having an integrated practice approach. It was also a thrill to have Drs. Rintal and Rose in attendance to share more of what PRI can offer regardless of one’s practice approach. I enjoyed learning more about DNS and refreshing my knowledge of the SFMA. In addition, this weekend was a treat for me to see my colleagues and friends Drs. Richard Cheung and Jeff Tucker who were both, in part, responsible for my journey into PRI certification and ultimately into becoming a faculty member. I will always be grateful for their support.

And last, this past weekend was the 10th anniversary of taking my first PRI course, Postural Respiration, and what a meaningful journey it has been!