The Postural Restoration Podcast – Détails, épisodes et analyse

In this episode of the Postural Restoration podcast I welcome Deanna Elliott who practices from her private outpatient clinic, Centered PT & Wellness in Grants Pass, OR. Deanna focuses her practice primarily spending time helping pregnant mothers through their journey of pregnancy, functional medicine, and beyond. From an early age she knew she wanted to help people feel better through healthcare, but through a personal ACL injury was introduced to Physical Therapy. She later graduated with her Doctorate of Physical Therapy from Western University of Health Sciences in 2011. Before even starting her career she knew a bigger picture, holistic approach was her goal.

Deanna started her early career in Wyoming within numerous settings. She experienced home health, skilled nursing, neuro rehab, school setting and outpatient care during her early years in the field. The confines of these settings quickly made her realize she wanted more. Around this time she experienced her first pregnancy taking on whole body changes for the first time. The changes she experienced and the lack of answers available from traditional medicine led to further frustration. One question to her doctor in particular (“when am I going to Poop normal again”) was the tipping point for her to further explore alternative ways to recover.

Upon googling “Pelvic Biomechanics” Deanna found PRI and shortly after took her first course in 2016. In her words, “this was it!” she couldn’t believe that a systematic approach with “answers” to questions she had, already existed. This holistic approach among other Functional Medicine seminars she had attended led her to start her own practice the way she wanted to. In 2017 she started Centered PT & Wellness in order to do just that. At the same time she was quickly progressing through her PRI journey and in 2020 completed her PRC. She credits this process for a change in her perspective and treatment approach, looking at each person individually, uniquely and differently, every time you see them.

Based on her own experiences through multiple pregnancies she knew she wanted to help other moms experience better pregnancies and post-partum experiences for themselves. She explains that less is often more with any population but especially moms experiencing pregnancy. Focusing her treatment on starting with the basics, breathing, daily living, and most importantly remaining grounded. Whether taking someone through birthing preparation for a better labor, or helping them develop a individual post-partum plan, Deanna focuses her attention on their ability to maintain ground sense for pelvic positioning, respiration, and rest.

Deanna doesn’t stop at the diaphragms. Her treatment approach also focuses on the functional side of digestion, gut health, vagal tone, autonomics and the daily experiences that her patients deal with. Alongside reeducation for daily living, Deanna uses tools like the GI Map to test for microbial health, genetic mutations or hormonal deficiencies, such as methylation, among also testing inflammation, nutrition and other mapping. Deanna often requires her patients to agree to a “journey” with her through multiple tests and re-tests if she is going to work with them, as she believes all of it needs to be addressed individually within the same program for every patient.

Deanna has many resources available such as guides for birthing, post-partum recovery, breech babies, and “busy moms” in order to balance their body alongside the journey of growing a baby. Check out centeredphysicaltherapy.com for more information.

In this episode of the Postural Restoration Podcast I am joined by Frank Mallon, PT, DPT, PRC. Frank grew up in the Philadelphia area and attended Physical Therapy school at Arcadia University. Although he has had many unique experiences in his home state he has remained there ever since. One of the biggest influences on his early career was the work of Shirley Sahrmann. In his first clinical setting, alongside one of his earliest mentors, Carl Mangione, they were able to implement these concepts with their patients and also share them in the university settings to others interested. Franks first years as a PT in this setting allowed him to explore other schools of thought that otherwise had not been introduced throughout his schooling.

Through this relationship, Frank was first introduced to PRI coursework and the science as a whole. In 2013 he took his first course, Pelvis Restoration, with Jennifer Poulin. After implementing what he had learned and seeing enough change within his patient population he knew additional coursework was merited. Over the next several years Frank attended many PRI courses, traveling from city to city to immerse himself more.

Two years from his first course exposure Frank achieved his Postural Restoration Certified (PRC) credential with the intent of providing a true form of PRI to his patients no matter what setting he may be in. Eventually finding himself directing various programs in the hospital setting he became more limited in the amount of freedom he had to incorporate all PRI aspects into his patient care. However overtime in this role he was able to introduce the science to his patients and other providers within this orthopedic hospital setting. 

Like many within our community, Frank at one point needed integrative care for himself, and found himself seeking that out through the PRIME Program here in Lincoln. This experience solidified his desire to be able to offer similar services in his area of Philadelphia. Over time Frank began building an Integrative team of many varying professionals within the fields of dentistry, optometry, and other modalities to begin building a network of integrative care. This style of interdisciplinary care, would eventually lead him to start a private practice to be able to offer services and incorporate integrative care in a more meaningful way. 

Frank has since built Renaissance Physical Therapy & Wellness into a practice that allows him to do just that. Incorporating PRI with every client and working closely with multiple disciplines to address dysfunctions across many systems as a holistic team. Renaissance Physical Therapy is available in 5 locations around the Philly metro, and beyond offering his clinical services, Frank stays very active in the community by educating others on the role they too can have as part of a team approach to neurological re-patterning.

In this episode we discuss some of the challenges that providers may face when first learning to implement the science of Postural Restoration, and the effort it takes to build relationships with integrative professionals in your own community while appreciating the power of doing so. PRI communities are not formed over night and Franks journey is a testament to the commitment and dedication required to be able to offer a truly integrative approach to those in your own communities.

In this episode of the Postural Restoration Podcast Kasey Ratliff, PT, DPT, PRC  joins us to discuss her PRI journey which most recently has provided her the opportunity to become our newest Faculty member. Kasey graduated  from Texas State University, San Marcos, with an emphasis in Exercise Sports Science and Psychology. Her interests in human behavior and helping people, led to later attending PT school at the University of Texas Galveston, medical branch. Upon graduating Kasey started her career in a larger outpatient setting near Fort Worth and discusses the transition as a new graduate into her first clinical setting as a therapist.

After remaining in this setting for several years Kasey moved to Austin in search of a different setting. It was there that her search led her to Star Physical Therapy, the first Postural Restoration Center in Texas. Working alongside two Postural Restoration Certified providers, Jon Hupp and Steve Cuddy, she was quickly introduced to the science of Postural Restoration and its clinical implementation. Through this introduction Kasey completed her first Myokinematic Restoration course in 2011 with Jennifer Poulin. Kasey's time at Star Physical Therapy allowed her to build her general understanding of PRI concepts while being mentored by those around her.  After several years practicing in Austin Kasey moved back to Forth Worth to be closer to family. In 2015 Kasey started her private practice PRISM Physical Therapy.

Through her practice Kasey is able to provide longer, individualized sessions guiding each patient through their unique treatment goals. PRISM DPT is located within the GO Sports Complex and allows her to work and integrate her knowledge alongside athletes and the general public of all ages and levels. In this episode Kasey discusses some of the differences between her clientele and clinical approach within these populations. While building her practice Kasey's interest in the science of PRI remained strong as she traveled to many courses across the country. In 2016 Kasey received her PRC credential alongside three other Texas residents.

Continuing to build relationships with other PRC's and like minded professionals in the state, Kasey discusses her journey of building an integrative team of providers. Working closely with several other PRC's in the state and building relationships with dentists and optometrists in the area allow her to offer further integration to her patients. In 2019 Kasey began training to become the newest member of our PRI Faculty.  Over the course of 2019 she had an opportunity to teach and hone in on her understanding and presentation of the Myokinematic Restoration course alongside many other faculty members. Although her first course as a solo presenter was slightly delayed due to the COVID 19 pandemic, Kasey recently taught her first Myokinematic Restoration course as both a Live and Live Stream offering. 

In this episode of the Postural Restoration Podcast we are joined by Neal Hallinan, CSCS, LMT, PRT who provides a unique understanding of the science of PRI, through his first hand experience as both a patient and Postural Restoration Trained (PRT) Provider. Neal's career started in the field of Information Technology and through several life events and the pursuit of finding something he was truly passionate about, his path lead him to the study of movement. Throughout his early life Neal recalls a longstanding history of pain. His history included not only Hip Impingement, but also periods of plantar fasciitis, neck and back spasms, tinnitus, and general tensegrity across his joints. During a period of time spent living in Brazil, Neal first recognized the freedom of movement that many people living there expressed through dance. As his introduction and interest in this art of expression grew Neal spent considerable time learning the steps and sequences of various styles of dance and fell in love with the influences of rhythm, percussion and beat that were included.

Through his newly discovered interest in various forms of dancing, Neal recognized a relationship between his hip mobility and a decrease in his plantar fasciitis, and became curious to learn more. His interest in movement eventually led him to become an ACE certified Personal Trainer and Strength and Conditioning Specialist through the NSCA. It was while reading an article on Eric Cressey's Blog, that Neal was first exposed to the science of PRI. This discussion introduced Neal to the influence of respiration and breathing mechanics of which at the time he had never considered. Neal took his first Myokinematic Restoration course to better understand the relationship of "Lumbo-Pelvic-Femoral Pathomechanics" and first learned about the L AIC Pattern.

"This was it" Neal recalls. As he had finally found answers to the patterns and positions he had noticed over time in his own body. From there Neal started recognizing and studying the patterns as described and addressed through PRI coursework. Neal discusses the influences our everyday lives contribute to these patterns and how his job as a provider and trainer is to not only recognize where and why they exist, but also use the correct terminology in addressing these patterns with his clientele. Neal's patient perspective and his own journey through pain and discomfort provide him a unique foundation for helping others. He recalls his own personal journey changing when he could fully appreciate grounding and true sensory integration for the first time and discusses how in today's virtual world he tries to help his clients achieve the same level of sensory awareness through the use of PRI based principles and techniques.

Today Neal offers a variety of resources not only for his clients but for the PRI community as a whole. Through his website and training (pritrainer.com) or his broad YouTube Channel, hundreds of people searching for this science are provided with additional resources and information to guide them. Neal continues to instruct and remains active through various dance classes and instructing people primarily through Salsa based styles. Neal's interest in Latin motion and so many other forms of rhythmic movement, provided a natural fit to this years 12th Annual Interdisciplinary Integration Symposium, focusing on movement disorders and Basal Ganglia Disease. Together with Ron Hruska, Neal walks us through some of the topics he will be presenting and how these concepts will tie into movement disorders as a whole through collaboration with fellow presenter Jennifer Smart.

In this episode of the Postural Restoration Podcast I sat down with Jennifer Smart, PT, DPT, PRC who practices clinically in Oriental, NC incorporating PRI principles and many other modalities with her patients who have been diagnosed with Parkinson's Disease and those who she believes exhibit "Parkinson's like" symptoms before they are diagnosed. Jennifer discusses the impact that her life story has had on her clinical practice, including many trips across the Atlantic navigating the seas on her small sailboat. These experiences and interacting with a diverse set of  mentors and patients have collectively led to her current understanding of neurological flow, perception of time and ground forces all used for human patterned stability.

Jennifer earned both a Bachelor's of Science and Doctorate of Physical Therapy Degree and because of the influences of neurological timing and one's position in space whether at sea or on land, her interest in involuntary neurological movement disorders grew. After starting her clinical journey in Oriental, NC Jennifer sailed to Samoa and had the opportunity to work as the head Physical Therapist for the Samoan Olympic team. It was during this experience that she appreciated the influence of pressure and air flow throughout the body while working with an Olympic power lifter. After returning to the U.S. her love for cycling stemmed from her perception of time and her desire to decrease her speed of travel as her body became used to the slow, calculated and predictable movement across open water. Jennifer was introduced to the science of PRI through her cycling interest and a "Bike Fitting" article authored by Faculty Member Lori Thomsen. To this day Jennifer incorporates cycling with numerous clients who have been diagnosed with PD and other autonomic disorders.

After her first few courses and clinical experimentation incorporating PRI techniques into her clinical practice she had finally felt that the patterns she had recognized through her own journey were being studied and discussed by someone else. Jennifer completed twelve courses over the span of the next two years and became certified as part of the 2015 PRC Class. Jennifer has extensive training in "LSVT", "PWR", Rock Steady Boxing, and has attended and contributed to numerous Parkinson's organizations, including the World Parkinson Congress. She has used these and various other modalities to incorporate PRI into her daily practice and weekly classes offered to her patients and individuals of all backgrounds experiencing involuntary movement disorders. Jennifer in collaboration with Ron Hruska discusses her upcoming presentations as part of this years 12th Annual Interdisciplinary Integration Symposium  "Basal Ganglia Disease - An Interdisciplinary Approach in the Management of Kinesia Paradoxica" alongside Neal Hallinan. You can read more about Jennifer's topics of discussion and this years symposium held on April 22-23rd by visiting our website.

In this episode of the Postural Restoration Podcast I sat down with Jason Masek, MA, PT, ATC, CSCS, PRC who I have been fortunate to know and learn from over the past 20 years. Jason Received his undergraduate degree in Athletic Training at the University of Nebraska Lincoln, and went on to earn his Masters in Kinesiology in Minnesota while working as a graduate assistant Athletic Trainer for the Golden Gopher Football Program. Jason's Athletic Training knowledge between these two programs covered a span of 6 years as he studied under and was mentored by a handful of Hall of Fame Athletic trainers. While at Nebraska he was fortunate to see the program earn two National Championships. Following his Athletic Training years and completing his masters, Jason earned his Physical Therapy degree from what was then know as the Des Moines University Osteopathic Medical Center. This unique schooling offered him further exposure to holistic thinking and treatment approaches during his time there.

Jason was initially introduced to Ron Hruska while working with continuous hip and groin injuries during his time with Nebraska Athletics. While at the same time being introduced to the concepts behind the Protonics "knee brace", the use of repositioning activities and respiratory mechanics including the use of balloons. Jason carried with him some of this prior knowledge of the work Ron was doing to Minnesota, but it was not until his Physical Therapy clinical rotation that he would be able to further see and experience the use of these concepts on a broader scale alongside Ron and his patients. Through this opportunity and continual interest in this approach, following PT school Jason joined the Hruska Clinic shortly after it was established in 1999. In these first years each day was a new learning experience as the earliest form of the science of Postural Restoration was being implemented. Exercise techniques were drawn by hand, new positions were tried and tested and the foundation for the science as we know it today was solidified.

Working alongside Ron for over 20 years has provided them both with immense mentorship, clinical experimentation, and trust for the process as it has continued to evolve. The Hruska Clinic which has continued to grow and influence the ongoing evolution of this science, has always served as a clinical home of PRI as Jason and his colleagues continue their life long learning and integration of multidisciplinary care for their patients. Jason's close connection to Ron and this approach over the last two decades has allowed him and the rest of the Hruska Clinic therapists to be part of and further develop the ongoing research, training, and clinical implementation of the science of Postural Restoration. Jason was part of the first ever Postural Restoration Certified Class of 2004 and alongside several other clinicians helped lay the foundation for this Credential and the 250 plus professionals that have completed the process since then.

Jason has supported the science in many ways throughout the years and has had numerous opportunities to influence others on personal, local, and national scales. He has presented through the National Athletic Training Association, National Strength and Conditioning Association and many other organizations in an effort to introduce the concepts of respiration, neutrality and a multiple systems approach furthering these professions and their integration with other professionals. Jason continues to be passionate for ongoing research while appreciating that the research is many times already there if you are willing to look outside your current framework to find it. 

In this episode of the Postural Restoration Podcast I sit down with Lisa Mangino, PT, DPT, PCS, C/NDT, PRC. Lisa graduated from Duke University earning a Masters in physical therapy in 1999 and a Doctorate in Physical Therapy in 2000 as part of the first Doctoral class. During her doctoral program Lisa had the opportunity to get involved with a clinical affiliation in Pediatrics and subsequently her passion for clinical treatment within this population grew. During her undergraduate years Lisa played Lacrosse at Penn State and always saw herself working in a Sports Rehabilitation setting, however her love for Pediatrics grew and she has continued working with this population since. Following the completion of her PT degrees Lisa continued her journey at the University working in various pediatric settings. Her time at Duke would expose her to acute care, home health, and outpatient PT through the Duke University Medical Center.

Lisa walks us through her early clinical years and some of the common diagnosis’s, treatments and interventions used to treat a wide-ranging spectrum of gross motor limitations with early childhood Development. Through the management of her own dysfunction and seeking help from other clinicians for her personal limitations and injuries, Lisa found out about the Postural Restoration Institute through colleague Kim Keyser, PT, PRC. By listening to others dialogue about PRI within the clinic, Lisa became eager to learn the concepts that others around her were beginning to learn. This eventually led her to her first Myokinematics course in 2009 with James Anderson. She quickly began using these concepts including respiration as a neurological tool to treat tightness and other symptoms commonly addressed through stretching at the time. As Lisa continued her education with the institute she would later take a course at Advance Physical Therapy in Chapel Hill who at the time happened to be looking to add a new PT to their team. In 2014 Lisa joined Susan Henning, Jean Masse and Joe Belding at Advance Physical Therapy and began structuring her own Pediatric program. In the same year she went on to earn her PRC while becoming certified in Schroth based Scoliosis training and continues to use this method in the treatment and prevention of Pediatric Scoliosis while integrating PRI concepts. 

Lisa has always had the desire to teach others throughout her life and through the integration of PRI into her daily activities began thinking about the possibility of some day sharing this passion with others. After several years of creating and compiling numerous Pediatric PRI based Play activities and tests, in 2019 Lisa taught the first PRI Integration for Pediatrics Affiliate course under the guidance and mentorship of James Anderson. Lisa discusses the layout and incorporation of these activities within the Pediatrics course as well as the general course layout and structure, specifically highlighting categories of more involved vs. less involved activities and the overall outcome goals of specific desired sequential movement levels (DSM) that are discussed during these two days. Lisa is excited to offer this course as a live stream for the first time this November and continue to share her experience with others. 

In the 20th episode of the Postural Restoration Podcast I am joined by Michael Mullin to discuss his journey of applying the science of Postural Restoration concepts over the course of nearly two decades. Michael currently practices as a clinical Athletic Trainer through Integrative Rehab Training LLC in Portland Maine. Michael has been involved in various sport settings from early on in his career which eventually led him to use this experience in a more clinical setting while integrating multiple methods of rehabilitation strategies into one model. In this episode Michael discusses some of the differences associated with the management of a wide-ranging client base, and how he relies on various strategies to meet each client at their individual level. Although each of these individual clients are unique in their own compensation patterns and movement dysfunction, we discuss how many of them can be addressed through the same lens of respiration by setting a strong foundation for the appreciation of breathing mechanics.

Michael discusses his early interest in education and seeking answers to questions that at the time were not being addressed. After discovering Ron Hruska’s work through an article titled “Hamstring injuries require triplanar assessment” he took his first PRI course in 2002 and began searching for other like-minded clinicians willing to ask and seek answers to some of these same questions. Through his course history with the institute Michael continued to grow along side it while discovering others who also shared his passion for integration and continued education. Michael became Postural Restoration Certified as part of the 2011 class, in which there are now over 200 certified clinicians throughout the world.

Since then Michael has built his practice of Integrative Rehab Training LLC offering his skill set to a wide-ranging clientele. Michael has worked with all ends of the human spectrum, including dancers, skiers, singers, and all levels of athletes with various other sports. Throughout the various settings in his career, Michael has had the opportunity to host several PRI courses and continues to integrate with multiple organizations and models. He has furthered his knowledge and understanding of his truly multidisciplinary approach through these opportunities and through teaching these concepts to others. He has consulted and spoken through various professional organizations including many national and international Perform Better summits, private in services and on a daily basis with his clients. Michael is passionate about sharing his experiences with others as he aims to help them avoid any mistakes he himself has learned from throughout his career. This passion has continued to inspire others and has even led to his son Mitchell earning his own degree in Athletic Training as he hopes to continue to grow and practice alongside his dad. 

In this episode of the Postural Restoration podcast I sit down with PRT Jessica Tidswell. Jess is a Physcial Therapist, Athletic Trainer, and Associate Professor for the University of Utah Department of Physical Therapy and Athletic Training. While growing up on the east coast Jess quickly became fond of skiing and spent much of her childhood Ski Racing in Vermont. This led her to Montana State University as part of the Ski Team which further developed her love for the sport. Jess later attended Duke University seeking her degree in Physical Therapy, a few years behind Affiliate Faculty Lisa Mangino. Her residency during PT school would late allow her to return to the sport as she was able to work in Salt Lake City during the 2002 Olympic year.

Following PT school, Jess worked as a Physical Therapist for the U.S. Adaptive Ski Team traveling with them for several seasons. She then returned to Salt Lake City and was finally able to begin working towards her second bachelors degree in Athletic Training. As an Athletic Training Student, Jess simultaneously continued working for the U.S. Adaptive Ski Team, and the University of Utah Football Team not only as an Athletic Training Student but also through the Sports Medicine and Rehabilitation department as a Physical Therapist. During her time with the Utes, they would go undefeated and end their season beating Alabama in the 2009 Sugar Bowl.

Following her Athletic Training degree Jess worked at the U.S. Ski & Snowboard Center of Excellence as it opened its doors in Park City Utah. Throughout her years working with the Paralympic and U.S. Ski Teams, Jess was introduced to PRI through her friend and colleague Jodi Riml. She recalls the first time she performed a PRI Wall Squat and the explosion of sensory awareness that this and other positional activities allowed her to expand upon. Shortly after she signed up and completed all three Primary Courses online, and attended her first Live course, Impingement & Instability with James Anderson. As her experience and implementation of the science grew, she applied for the PRT credential after discerning that this credential was indeed a better fit in her current performance setting and background in Athletics. Jess became Postural Restoration Trained as part of the 2018 PRT Class.

In her current role as an Assistant Professor, Jess has introduced and incorporated PRI into many of her students curriculum. While overseeing several semesters of Independent Studies with her Athletic Training students Jess has facilitated and guided many of them through the completion of various Primary Course Home Studies, helping her students learn the basic concepts of the Postural Restoration Institute for the first time. Through the completion of this course work online and in preparation of her own remote teaching protocols, Jess has enjoyed experiencing several PRI Live Stream courses and highlights the opportunity to continue to progress through the science of PRI in our current times. Jess looks forward to the semester ahead while preparing her own virtual curriculum and is hopeful to return to the slopes once again this season. Jess remains an active volunteer and continues her work with the US Ski team and International Paralympic Committee between time spent enjoying all of the recreational activity that Utah has to offer.

PRI Japan Presents "Ask us anything about PRI!" while staying at home. 
- Q&A zoom session by PRI Japan Faculty Part 5 -

コロナに負けるな！ということで、PRIに興味がある皆さんと一緒に楽しんで頂ける企画のパート5です！

「PRIに関する質問、大募集！」

ということで、日頃PRIって何？どういうことなの？と気になっている講習会を未受講の皆さんから、講習会を受けたけど疑問に思っていることがある、、、という方や、ずっと気になっていて質問したいことがあったけどまだ聞けてない！という方まで、PRIに関連する質問をみなさんから大募集しました。

そして集められた質問の中から、粒選りの質問をセレクトさせて頂き、PRIジャパンの講師３名（阿部、石井、大貫）でオンライン対談を開催。その様子をYoutubeでご覧いただけるようにする企画です。

Part５では、以下のような質問を頂きました！

Q.19 プランターフレクサーインヒビションは、いつやるの？

Q.20 呼吸時に腹直筋の緊張が取れない、、、

Q.21 風船を膨らませる時、頬は膨らませない方が良い？その理由は？

Q.22 PRI的にオススメの出産の体勢・姿勢ってありますか？

Q23 スーパイン・フックライイング・シンクロナイズド・レジステッド・グルーツ・マックスは、なぜ手を開く？

Q.24 L AF IRに入りにくいようにできているなら、入らないで生活しても良いのでは？

以上の質問について講師がじっくりディスカッションしながら回答してます。ぜひご覧下さい！

PRI Japan