Vocal fold vibration, or oscillation, is the source for our sound, identity, pressure gradient (pulmonary, acoustic, and thoraco-abdominal) and communication (vocal expression). This course will outline vocalization and associated extrinsic postural voice muscle function considerations, when using PRI methodology, to enhance alignment and arrangement of muscle and soft tissue of the hypopharyngeal regions. Recognizing malalignment patterns of paired aligned muscles of the mouth and neck will assist in developing programs for vocal resonance that reflects cervical neutrality and a relaxed hypopharynx. An overview on muscles that position the vocal folds in the midline, on how asymmetry of the neck and shoulders or restrictive respiratory dysfunction can disrupt normal vocal fold function, and on how vocal fold tension can influence upper quadrant tension and pressure, will be provided. The purpose of this course is to enhance unobstructed passage of sound through the various shapes formed by the oropharynx for vowel sounds and to enhance the air pressure built up behind over obstructions created by structures of the mouth to create consonant sounds that reinforce both balanced, acceptable associated posture of the stomatognathic and respiratory systems. Limited discussion, regarding velopharyngeal dysfunction (VPD) or nasality, and hypokinetic dysarthria (HD) will be included. Management of laryngeal/vocal cord dysfunction (VCD) will include ‘blowing’, ‘sucking’, speech resonance and glottal control recommendations incorporating PRI philosophy and techniques. Case presentations will be discussed and outlined treatment reasoning will be provided, along with laryngeal based techniques that incorporate PRI applications.
Prior attendance of Postural Respiration and Cervical Revolution is required. *Exceptions for Myologists, Speech Pathologists, Voice Coaches.
Educational Level: Advanced
Instructional Methods: Lecture, demonstration, clinical application, case discussion, and Q&A
Live Stream courses will take place from 8am-5pm CT each day, and certificates of completion/CE credit will be awarded the following week after completion of the course evaluation survey and short post-test. For more information on whether your state/organization is approved for CE approval, please click on the “CE Approval” tab. Live Stream courses will be engaging, interactive and include demonstration of objective testing and/or non-manual techniques, in addition to course attendees being able to ask questions throughout the course. All that’s needed on your end is reliable internet access, a webcam, microphone and speaker (or a smart phone can be used if you do not have a computer or laptop with this capability) to utilize ZOOM for the live stream course. The ZOOM links for the live stream course will be included in the confirmation email. The course manual will be shipped directly to you 1-2 weeks before the course. *International registrants are discounted $30 since we do not ship manuals internationally, however you will be able to print the digital manual if you so choose. A digital version of the course manual will be added to your PRI account the week of the course. In addition, participants will receive access to the recording of the live stream course for 14 days to review the material, and re-watch any material that may have been missed due to connection issues. Those who attend in-person during a live streamed course will also receive access to the recording for 14 days. Extensions beyond this 14 day review are not available. ***Please note: In order to receive access to the recording for review, you must participate in person on the Live Stream course with your camera on for at least half of the course (7.5 hours). If you sign up for the course and do not participate in at least 7.5 hours of the live stream, you will not receive the recording and you will not be refunded. Also, once course manuals have been shipped (or the digital version has been added to your account), there will be no refunds for cancellations.***
- Explain how the development of the human vocal tract resonance and articulation of speech is influenced by air pressure produced and controlled through entrained exhalatory patterned function.
- Identify how the development of entrained exhalatory patterned human function is developed through vocal tract resonance and articulation of speech.
- Describe how the mandible (mouth), velopharynx (sinus cavity), and cervical axial anatomy (throat) influence interoceptive resonance of allostatic patterns of respiratory asymmetry.
- Outline how to recognize and utilize literary consonance when performing Hemi-Kinesphere PRI Techniques.
Day One
| 7:30am – 8:00am |
Registration and Light Breakfast |
| 8:00am – 9:00am |
Introduction to Pulmonary Phonation |
| 9:00am – 10:00am |
Overview of the Vocal Tract as a Resonator |
| 10:00am – 10:15am |
Break |
| 10:15am – 12:00pm |
Hypopharynx Structures and Position
- Intrinsic Muscles
- Extrinsic Muscles
|
| 12:00pm – 1:00pm |
Lunch (on your own) |
| 1:00pm – 1:30pm |
Pelvis Relationship to the Laryngopharynx |
| 1:30pm – 2:00pm |
Development of the Vocal Tract and Upper Respiratory Tract |
| 2:00pm – 3:00pm |
Resonance, Resonance Disorders and Resonance Dysfunction |
| 3:00pm – 3:15pm |
Break |
| 3:15pm – 4:00pm |
The Larynx, Laryngeal Dysfunction and Vertical Laryngeal Position |
| 4:00 pm – 5:00pm |
Subglottal Pressure Regulation and Alveolar Articulation |
Day Two
| 7:45am – 8:00am |
Sign-In and Light Breakfast |
| 8:00-8:30 |
Glottal Control Pressure Influence on Postural Patterns vs. Subglottal (Lung Pressure) Postural Dysfunction Influence on Glottal Control (Voice Box Resonation) |
| 8:30am – 9:30am |
Cervical-Laryngeal Functional Relationships
- Hypopharyngeal Imbalance
- Vocal Cord Dysfunction
- Spasmodic Dysphonia
|
| 9:30am – 10:00am |
Mandibular Freedom and Vibrato Expression |
| 10:00am – 10:15am |
Break |
| 10:15am – 12:00pm |
Soft Palate Tightness and Cervical Torsion Contributions on Hypernasal Speech, Velopharyngeal Dysfunction/Insufficiency, Patulous Eustacian Tube |
| 12:00pm – 1:00pm |
Lunch (on your own) |
| 1:00pm – 2:00pm |
Neuro-therapeutic Considerations on Acoustic Aerodynamics, Phonation and Intonation; Neuronal Entrainment of Motor Speech Areas |
| 2:00pm – 3:00pm |
Hemi-Kinesphere Consonance PRI Techniques |
| 3:00pm – 3:15pm |
Break |
| 3:15pm – 4:30pm |
Case Presentations |
| 4:30pm – 5:00pm |
Concluding Remarks on Vocal Expression and Space |
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- Badaro FA, et al. Vocal discomfort in individuals with cervical complaints: an approach based on self-assessment questionnaires. Audiol Commun Res. 2014.
- Bordoni B. et al. Proposal for a new osteopathic treatment method for the Eustachian tube. Medcrave, 2017.
- Cacador M, Papoila A, et al. Evaluation of postural changes using dynamic posturography after speech rehabilitation in patients with voice disorders: A longitudinal study. Folia Phoniatr Logop. 2020;72:282-289.
- Cacador M, et al. The influence of posture and balance on voice: a review. Gazeta Medica N2 Vol 5 April/June 2018.
- Cardoso R, Meneses RF, et al. Myofascial release effects in teachers’ posture, muscle tension and voice quality: A randomized controlled trial. Journal of Voice. 2021 May;SO892-1997(21)00119-3. doi: 10.1016/j.jvoice.2021.03.029. Online ahead of print.
- Crelin E. The human vocal tract: anatomy function, development and evolution. D. Sc. Vantage Press, New York, 1987.
- Geneid A, Aaltonen LM, et al. Association of breathing sound spectra with glottal dimensions in exercise-induced vocal cord dysfunction. Eur Arch Otorhinolaryngol. 2017;274:3933-3940.
- Gilman M, Johns MM. The effect of head position and/or stance on the self-perception of phonatory effort. Journal of Voice. 2017;31(1):131e1-131e4.
- Gilman M. The influence of postural changes on extralaryngeal muscle tension and vocal production. Perspectives of the ASHA Special Interest Groups. 2018;SIG3,Vol. 3(Part 3):82-87.
- Hoit JD. Influence of body position on breathing and its implications for the evaluation and treatment of speech and voice disorders. J Voice. 1995 Dec; 9(4):341-347.
- Hollien H, Curtis J. A laminographic study of vocal pitch. Speech and Hearing Research, 1960.
- Isono S, Tanaka A, et al. Influences of head positions and bite opening on collapsibility of the passive pharynx. J Appl Physiol. 2004;97:339-346.
- Isshiki N, Tanabe M, et al. Clinical significance of asymmetrical vocal cord tension. Ann Otol. 1977;86:58-66.
- Kent R. The perceptual sensorimotor examination of motor speech disorders. Clinical Management of Sensorimotor Speech Disorders. Thieme Medical Publishers, 1997.
- Lester RA, Hoit JD. Nasal and oral inspiration during natural speech breathing. Journal of Speech, Language and Hearing Research. 2014;57:734-742.
- Lieberman P. Blumstein S. Speech physiology, speech perception and acoustic phonetics, Cambridge University Press, 1988.
- Lowell, SY, et al. Simulate effects of cricothyroid and thyroarytenoid muscle activation on adult male vocal fold vibration, J. of the Acoustic Society of America. April, 2006;386-397.
- Lowell SY, et al. Position of the hyoid and larynx in people with muscle tension dysphonia. Laryngoscope, 2012.
- Mason KN, Perry JL, et al. Age related changes between the level of velopharyngeal closure and the cervical spine. J Craniofac Surg. 2016; 27(2):498-503.
- Matheron D, et al. Laryngeal aerodynamics in healthy older adults and adults with Parkinson’s Disease. J Speech Lang Hear Res. 2017;60(3):507-524.
- Mathur H, et al. Effect of forward had posture on vocal fatigue. Int J of Sci and Research Index Copernicus Value, 2015.
- McCoy S. Your voice: an inside view. Second Ed. 2012, page 33.
- McKeown P, O’Connor-Reina C. Breathing re-education and phenotypes of sleep apnea: a review. Journal of Clinical Medicine. 2021;10,471.
- Mihaescu M, Khosla SM, et al. Unsteady laryngeal airflow simulations of the intra-glottal vortical structures. J. Acoust. Soc. Am. 2010;127(1):435-444.
- Orlikoff RF. Voice production during a weightlifting and supported task. Folia Phoniatrica et Logopaedica, May, 2008.
- Rubin J, et al. Musculoskeletal Patterns in Patients with Voice Disorders. J of Voice, 2007.
- Saran M, Georgakopoulos B, et al. Anatomy, head and neck, larynx vocal cords. StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2021 Jan.
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- Stanchina ML, Malhotra A, et al. The influence of lung volume on pharyngeal mechanics, collapsibility, and genioglossus muscle activation during sleep. SLEEP. 2003;26(7):851-856.
- Tao C, Zhang Y, et al. Asymmetric airflow and vibration induced by the Coanda effect in a symmetric model of the vocal folds. J. Acoust. Soc. Am. 2007;122(4):2270-2278.
- Vorperian H, et al. Effect of body position on vocal tract acoustics: acoustic pharyngometry and vowel formants. Acoustical Society of America. 2015.
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- Zhang Z, Kreiman J, et al. Acoustic and perceptual effects of changes in body layer stiffness in symmetric and asymmetric vocal fold models. J. Acoust. Soc. Am. 2013;133(1):453-462.
- Zhang T, et al. The relationship between biomechanics of pharyngeoesophageal segment and tracheoesophagueal phonation. Scientific Report, 2019.
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Licensed Physical Therapists and PT Assistants
Licensed Chiropractors
Certified Athletic Trainers
Certified Strength & Conditioning Coaches
Certified Personal Trainers
Myologists
Speech Language Pathologists
Voice Coaches/Instructors
Other Healthcare and Fitness Professionals
PRI welcomes any licensed healthcare or certified fitness professional to attend our courses. You may be asked to submit your license to practice as a healthcare professional or qualified fitness or strength coach certification (though an organization that is recognized in the United States) to attend PRI courses. Students studying to become a healthcare or fitness professional at an accredited university are encouraged to enroll, and may be asked to provide enrollment status and program/degree information. If you have questions about whether you are eligible to complete PRI courses, please contact us. Attendees are responsible for following their state statutes regulating their professional practice. A certificate will be awarded to attendees upon completion of this course or any of the other PRI courses.
Accessible Learning Environments
All participants in Postural Restoration Institute™ (PRI) continuing education courses are entitled to an accessible, accommodating, and supportive teaching and learning environment. Participants have the right to request accommodations and the responsibility to provide disability documentation that supports those requests. PRI has the right to establish eligibility guidelines in accordance with both law and policy regarding disability and provide those accommodations that appropriately provide equal access to the programs and activities it sponsors.
A Certificate of Completion for 15 contact hours is awarded to attendees upon the successful completion of this course. Before attending a course, please verify CEU acceptance with your profession’s regulating body.
Physical Therapists and PT Assistants
In the states where PRI is sponsoring courses and where approval through state American Physical Therapy Association (APTA) or licensing agencies is required, PRI will apply for approval for CEUs for Physical Therapists and Physical Therapist Assistants.
- The following states accept other state approval and thus would honor this course as an approved course: Alabama, Arizona, Colorado, Connecticut, Washington DC, Delaware, Georgia, Hawaii, Idaho, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, New Hampshire, North Carolina, North Dakota, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, Wyoming.
- Approved by the New York State Education Department, Office of the Professions. Approval valid February 18, 2022 – February 17, 2025.
- Approved by the Illinois Physical Therapy Association for 15 CE Hours. Course Approval #205-9098. Approval valid January 1, 2024 – January 1, 2025.
Occupational Therapists and OT Assistants
PRI is no longer recognized as an Approved Provider through the American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA). Many states do not require any sort of pre-approval process. And of the ones that do, most state licensure boards allow self-submission of CE programs. Please check with your state licensure board to determine if you will be able to submit PRI courses for CE hours.
Chiropractors
In the states where PRI is sponsoring courses and where approval through state licensing agencies is required, PRI will look into applying for CEUs for Chiropractors (upon request). Requests must be made at least 90 days prior to the course date.
- Approved by the Minnesota Board of Chiropractic Examiners for 15 regular units of instruction for 2024 course dates.
- Approved by the New York State Education Department, Office of the Professions. Approval valid February 18, 2022 – February 17, 2025.
Athletic Trainers
Postural Restoration Institute (BOC AP# P2376) is approved by the Board of Certification, Inc. to provide continuing education to Certified Athletic Trainers. This program is eligible for a maximum of 15 Category A hours/CEUs. ATs should claim only those hours actually spent in the educational program.
Other Healthcare and Fitness Professionals
PRI welcomes any licensed healthcare or certified fitness professional to attend our courses. You may be asked to submit your license to practice as a healthcare professional or qualified fitness or strength coach certification (though an organization that is recognized in the United States) to attend PRI courses. Students studying to become a healthcare or fitness professional at an accredited university are encouraged to enroll, and may be asked to provide enrollment status and program/degree information. If you have questions about whether you are eligible to complete PRI courses, please contact us. Attendees are responsible for following their state statutes regulating their professional practice. A certificate will be awarded to attendees upon completion of this course or any of the other PRI courses.
PRI reserves the right to cancel and refund a course attendee’s registration if any concerns arise regarding the course attendee’s qualifications as a healthcare or fitness professional, copyright infringement, or any other illegal activity involving PRI copyrighted materials. International attendees may be required to review and sign a Copyright and Intellectual Property Recognition and Disclosure Contract prior to receiving access to course materials.
A Certificate of Completion for 15 contact hours is awarded to attendees upon the successful completion of this course. Before attending a course, please verify CEU acceptance with your profession’s regulating body.
Physical Therapists and PT Assistants
In the states where PRI is sponsoring courses and where approval through state American Physical Therapy Association (APTA) or licensing agencies is required, PRI will apply for approval for CEUs for Physical Therapists and Physical Therapist Assistants.
- The following states accept other state approval and thus would honor this course as an approved course: Alabama, Arizona, Colorado, Connecticut, Washington DC, Delaware, Georgia, Hawaii, Idaho, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, New Hampshire, North Carolina, North Dakota, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, Wyoming.
- Approved by the New York State Education Department, Office of the Professions. Approval valid February 18, 2022 – February 17, 2025.
- Approved by the Illinois Physical Therapy Association for 15 CE Hours. Course Approval #205-9098. Approval valid January 1, 2024 – January 1, 2025.
- Approved by the Minnesota Board of Physical Therapy for 15 hours. Course Approval #9655. Approval valid January 1, 2024 – December 31, 2024. *Approved for live stream courses only.
Occupational Therapists and OT Assistants
PRI is no longer recognized as an Approved Provider through the American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA). Many states do not require any sort of pre-approval process. And of the ones that do, most state licensure boards allow self-submission of CE programs. Please check with your state licensure board to determine if you will be able to submit PRI courses for CE hours.
Athletic Trainers
Postural Restoration Institute (BOC AP# P2376) is approved by the Board of Certification, Inc. to provide continuing education to Certified Athletic Trainers. This program is eligible for a maximum of 15 Category A hours/CEUs. ATs should claim only those hours actually spent in the educational program.
Chiropractors
In the states where PRI is sponsoring courses and where approval through state licensing agencies is required, PRI will look into applying for CEUs for Chiropractors (upon request). Requests must be made at least 90 days prior to the course date.
- Approved by the Minnesota Board of Chiropractic Examiners for 15 regular units of instruction for 2024 course dates.
- Approved by the New York State Education Department, Office of the Professions. Approval valid February 18, 2022 – February 17, 2025.
Other Healthcare and Fitness Professionals
PRI welcomes any licensed healthcare or certified fitness professional to attend our courses. You may be asked to submit your license to practice as a healthcare professional or qualified fitness or strength coach certification (though an organization that is recognized in the United States) to attend PRI courses. Students studying to become a healthcare or fitness professional at an accredited university are encouraged to enroll, and may be asked to provide enrollment status and program/degree information. If you have questions about whether you are eligible to complete PRI courses, please contact us. Attendees are responsible for following their state statutes regulating their professional practice. A certificate will be awarded to attendees upon completion of this course or any of the other PRI courses.
PRI reserves the right to cancel and refund a course attendee’s registration if any concerns arise regarding the course attendee’s qualifications as a healthcare or fitness professional, copyright infringement, or any other illegal activity involving PRI copyrighted materials. International attendees may be required to review and sign a Copyright and Intellectual Property Recognition and Disclosure Contract prior to receiving access to course materials.
“Perhaps the most powerful class I have taken, not just for clinical applications, but for being a human being. While my clients have been the professional recipients, I have and will continue to apply the principles to myself. Sense of self has a new meaning that I will forever appreciate. A thousand thank-you’s are not enough.” | Live Stream, August 2024
“I thought this was one of the best courses I have taken from Ron. He did a great job if making this course clinically relevant, which is much appreciated. I got a lot more out of this course than I anticipated.” | Live Stream, August 2024
“Shani: her case shook me deeply, I guess you could say resonated, the residual effects will be life-long.” | Live Stream, August 2024
“I am not a PRC therapist but I love to learn more on how I can help my patients. I feel that my knowledge is subpar and makes me hesitant to take the secondary or tertiary courses at times, but I am very glad I took this course because I found a piece of the puzzle that was missing in my toolbox. To know the nuances in the voice of a person/patient and be able to tell what could possibly be the issue with the alignment of their body parts is just mind blowing tome! Thank you so much Ron for working so hard to share your knowledge with the community. Truly you are a rare gem.” | Live Stream, August 2024
“It’s just amazing how Ron connects the true functions of our human capability to personality and provides complex but concrete tools to address the whole human, individualizing the process at the same time that he is explaining the innate-ness of our development.” | Live Stream, August 2023
“Just amazing!! I wish I could take every course over again because Ron always exposes more things I did not know and its just amazing! I love learning and how that leads to more learning, and more courses, and ultimately better understanding of how to try my absolute best to help my patients and clients.” | Live Stream, August 2023
“I simply loved this course. For me, it’s another part of the profound journey that explores the breadth and depth of postural restoration science. I also liked how this course–because it directly addresses vocal expression–serves as a practical spring board into considering the biopsychology and psychophysiology of our patients–both in terms of how they present and how we might approach our treatment.” | Live Stream, August 2023
“I’ve been blown out of the water by many PRI courses but this one makes my heart sing with the privilege of being able to learn it. It is the frontier of neurology of being human but feels like something I have innately known all my life. I’m grateful for how the experience has changed me and I know this knowledge will transform the life of others.” | Live Stream, August 2022
“Thank you so much for the effort, skill, and willingness to share this information.” | Live Stream, August 2022
“Great course! has already helped me with further enhancing the efficacy of delivering PRI techniques.” | Live Stream, August 2022
“I am thrilled about this course. This course for me is the course that I have wanted to attend in the past 10 years. It has completed and rounded out my knowledge about Postural Restoration. It has “filled in the blank” of so many questions of “why” for me. Also, it has given some incredible tools to have increased success with patients when vision, foot orthotics and mandibular orthotics have been addressed but something is still missing……this course now aids in completing “that missing component”. Thank you……treating just got even more fun!” |Live Stream, November 2021
“I really thought this course was awesome – it really excited me. I think it will help with the patients that I have gotten to neutral neck positioning to help with pressure control and it really helped to understand where pressure control comes from. Gives so many more tools to treat patients. For me personally – I am really surprised at the changes that I myself have seen from the ex’s. I have been stuck and can’t believe how much change in the pelvis/hips in just a matter of days of doing some of the new ex’s. Also change of throat and less dependence on teeth contact. Priceless!! Thank you all!!” |Live Stream, November 2021
“It was so much more clinically applicable than I thought it would be. So interesting, and exciting to begin to understand that this body of work is being presented exactly as it needs to be. I think that some part of me always understood that PRI is so much more than “what exercise am I going to prescribe?” The relief that many of my patients express after learning that there may be a real reason for their pain and limitations is priceless. THANK YOU SO MUCH to ALL of you at The Postural Restoration Institute!” |Live Stream, November 2021
“Amazing course overall and I am sure it will add a lot to my practice over time. Thank you for presenting it.” |Live Stream, November 2021
