In this episode of the Postural Restoration Podcast I welcome Torin Berge, PT, MPT, PRC who practices at the Hruska Clinic and plays a vital role in the PRIME Program. Growing up Torin spent countless hours in a Pediatric PT setting with his brother who diagnosed with Cerebral Palsy was in and out of therapy frequently. It was during this time that his love for the profession grew. Torin graduated from the University of North Dakota in 1999 with his Masters in Physical Therapy. Torin was also an avid swimmer and swam throughout college and his entire childhood. Although he appreciates the foundation received in schooling he acknowledges that he was introduced to many "whats" but never really received the "whys" behind the symptoms or diagnosis studied.

To start his career Torin provided care across pediatric clinics, and across both outpatient and acute hospital settings, but he quickly realized there had to be something more, a piece still missing. Torin was led to the PRI coursework through the community in Souix City, including Jane Stanley who got him to his first Protonics course. During which he heard someone discussing the relationship between the lower extremities and the cervical spine for the first time. Even though much of the science was still new at the time, Torin knew that there would be more to come, and slowly the "whys" behind all of his questions started being addressed. During these early years of coursework Torin began incorporating the science within his practice, but like many, continued to hit roadblocks along the way. The inability to incorporate PRI into his clinical setting helped him make the decision to look elsewhere.

In 2011, Torin joined the Hruska Clinic in Lincoln, Nebraska and has been growing ever since. Shortly after accepting this position and moving his family, Torin became credentialed as part of the 2012 PRC Class. The timing of Torin's presence here coincided with a time period of tremendous growth within the Integration of PRI concepts. Not only was he surrounded with great colleagues who had been using PRI for decades, but he was now also a part of integrating with Optometrists, Dentists and Podiatrists on a regular basis. PRI Vision underwent its foundational years with his involvement, and the incorporation of dental integration was being explored like never before. These were the early days of integration, "pre-PRIME", and the level of exploration, integration, and evolving treatments, were at an all time high.

As time went on, similar patterns of patient care became apparent. Patients came from international places because no other provider could find the "why" behind their "what" problem. The pieces of these patients' puzzles were not being put together, and even when each piece of dysfunction had been appropriately managed, they still failed to manage the  integration long term. Out of these years, working alongside Ron Hruska and the entire integrative team, the Postural Restoration Institute Multidisciplinary Engagement (PRIME) Program was founded. It too continued to evolve over the years and has remained a focal point of the PRI community when looking for models of integrative care. Today Torin and his team work not only with extremely hard to manage cases, but also with other PRI Providers, to provide guidance, support and treatment for patients and their providers they may already be working with. Through PRIME the pieces of the Podal, Occlusal, Visual and multiple other systems are put together and continuously managed by Torin and his colleagues, "The Integrators".

In this episode of the Postural Restoration Podcast,  I sat down with Dr. James Carlson who will be presenting at our 13th Annual Interdisciplinary Integration symposium on April 21-22nd. Dr. Carlson began studying gnathological principles while still a student at the University of Minnesota dental school nearly 60 years ago. While there, he had the opportunity to study under one of the top gnathologists at the time, Dr. Charles Stewart, and learn his techniques using the Stewart Articulator. From then on, he knew he wanted to pursue a dental career studying these principles. Following his dental schooling, Dr. Carlson spent 3 years in the Navy, eventually settling into his first private practice in Alaska. In his early years of  clinical practice, he began studying and applying the concepts of Centric Relation (CR) of the temporomandibular joints, and Centric Occlusion (CO) of the bite. Around this time, he was also introduced to the concept of "Dental Kinesiology", published by George Eversaul. These studies and others, allowed Dr. Carlson to see the influence that the neuromuscular system has on jaw position. Throughout these early years his "patients became his professors" and he has continued to learn from them and numerous other integrative minds throughout his career.

Dr. Carlson began introducing these concepts within his appliance fabrication  and began to see an even greater influence of the neuromuscular system on dentition. His appliances at the time were meant to calibrate the maxilla to the mandible through the use of vertical height, anterior/posterior guidance and other qualities. This led him to the work of Dr. Barney Jankelson, who is widely known as the founder of Physiological Dentistry. From this point, his career was focused on Form vs. Function within the Stomatognathic system. This thinking led him to collaborate with not only numerous other dentists, but also included a 20 year partnership with an integrative chiropractor who also introduced him to the influence of Podiatry and the foots influence on posture. Through these collaborations, he was introduced to the Acculiner System which he spent many years selling and training others on its use. During this period he learned the importance of a level bite plane, and has promoted the concept ever since.

Throughout his career, Dr. Carlson has authored numerous papers and publications. Starting off with "Beyond Dental Care", which he summarizes as "everything I wasn't taught in Dental School". We then discuss his original publication which was titled "Physiologic Occlusion" but was retitled "Orthocranial Occlusion & Dentition Design" following the release of a new edition. And "Analyzing the Stomatognathic System", in which the concepts of "Form vs. Function" of the entire system is addressed more globally. These publications played a large role in Ron's own study of the stomatognathic system and Dr. Carlson's experience and passion for these concepts were a primary factor in the decision to host this years symposium,  "The Stomatognathic System - An Interdisciplinary Approach in the Management of Spatial Navigation and Structural Strength". We end our discussion joined by Ron to discuss how they plan to navigate these concepts through their presentations next month. We are very excited for the opportunity to introduce our PRI community to Dr. Carlson and these topics as Ron Hruska, Dr. James Carlson and Jason Masek collaborate throughout this years symposium.

In this episode of the Postural Restoration podcast I start off the year by reflecting on the past with none other than Susan Henning, PT, PRC. Susan graduated from NYU in 1986 with a BA in Physical Therapy. Due to a longstanding interest in dance and movement she began studies in Orthopedic Manual Physical Therapy in the early 90’s. She pursued training in manual physical therapy approaches including Paris, Maitland, Mulligan and Jackson. But perhaps one of her biggest interests lays in the study of sensory awareness. From early on in her career Susan sought after schools of thinking that integrated holistic sensory based concepts and this led her to the work of Charlotte Selver. 

Early on she was  introduced to other like minded individuals such Sangini Rane, Kyndall Boyle and Jean Masse through a Maitland certification course. Later on the opportunity would arise for Susan to purchase Advance Physical Therapy in Chapel Hill, NC, from Krista Clark who instructed her Maitland coursework. From its beginning Advance Physical Therapy has incorporated sensory integration with each patient. Today it is recognized for its focus on the treatment and prevention of scoliosis and other spinal dysfunctions.

In 2002 Susan was introduced to the work of Ron Hruska, and Postural Restoration. She was immediately drawn to its holistic, biomechanically based concepts and powerful therapeutic techniques. This was the beginning of a major paradigm shift in her way of viewing and treating dysfunction. She was certified as a Postural Restoration Therapist in 2008. Beginning in 2004 attending the newly offered Advanced Integration course, Susan has not missed this 4-day course since and has now contributed to day 4 “curvature of the spine” for many years. Her dedication and contributions to this course over the years has continued to grow as fellow colleagues Jean Masse and Lisa Mangino continue to present their work together alongside Susan each year.

Susan has continued to pursue the complexities of Postural Restoration rehabilitation. Her fascination with asymmetry, respiration and movement brought about an interest in scoliosis. And in 2013, Susan was certified in Schroth based scoliosis.  In 2014, Susan was honored to be invited as a member of "SOSORT".  She is one of only a handful of American Physical Therapists with this designation. More recently this led to the opportunity to co-author alongside her colleagues, “Postural Restoration: A Tri-Planar Asymmetrical Framework for Understanding, Assessing, and Treating Scoliosis and Other Spinal Dysfunctions” which was published in “Innovations in Spinal Deformaities and Postural Disorders” in 20217.

Susan remains passionate about the ever evolving science of Postural Restoration and incorporating all of her education, especially Schroth based therapy to it. This has led to the creation of the S.T.R.A.T.E.R Scoliosis Institute, which stands for “Spinal Triplanar Rehabilitation for Asymmetrical Torsion with Exercise & Respiration”. This endeavor is dedicated to the education of physical therapy professionals for the safe and effective treatment of scoliosis incorporating PRI concepts and approved techniques. 

In this episode of the Postural Restoration Podcast I am delighted to talk with Ruth Hennessy who has spent her career combining the studies of bodywork and movement with her classical education as a singing and voice coach. While growing up Ruth was exposed to many styles of singing but it was her mother, a professional opera singer who first introduced her to implementing yoga and other "bodywork" routines into her personal voice development. Since then Ruth has constantly experimented with various forms of movement techniques bridging the gap between the physical body and the auditory production of sound. Her career has led her to teach many professional singers of various backgrounds, as well as average individuals working on their own vocal production. Her experience has allowed her to share her teachings in various collegiate settings and most recently through "Hennessy Breath and Body" teachings and workshops.

Her history involves the study of numerous "bodywork" modalities some which are commonly known such as Yoga, Pilates, The Alexander Technique, and the Thompson Method, while others took her on journeys less traveled which she discusses during our conversation. Ruth considers herself a Polyglot (in the educational sense) and continues to search for others like her to learn from and collaborate with. Some of her closest Mentors include Kathy Thompson, Joan Lader, and Karen Coe who she partners with in NYC. The difference between  her and others around her is her ability to look at more then just the "little box" while including the structure and physiological function of what positions the voice box itself and helps guide its production of sound. Ruth has long incorporated the breath and breathing mechanics into her work and eventually this would overlap with the Concepts of PRI.

While looking for speakers for our annual interdisciplinary integration symposium in 2019 titled "Airway Oscillation: An Interdisciplinary Approach to the Production of Voice, Airflow, and Resonance Frequency Breathing" Ron was led to Ruth and quickly saw her passion for an integrated approach. While looking into her work, Ron noticed Ruth's use of balloons on her website during her workshop and knew he wanted to learn more.  This relationship has since led not only to her presentation during the 2019 symposium but to integrating this these concepts side by side with Ron and her singers in NYC and through virtual consults.

Because of their time together, these workshops, and their shared clients over the past few years, Ron's interest and research in the study of voice production has led to our new upcoming course tiltled "Voicebox Resonation, An Integrated Approach in the Management of Hypopharyngeal Dysfunction". Ron joins us to discuss how their time together and Ruths work as a whole have influenced his thoughts regarding this material and what this course will take into consideration. He is excited to discuss topics like neural entrainment, re-patterning, and an introceptive perception of the voice through body language, and will be discussing the voicebox from a "Pressure box" perspective. Visit Hennessy Breath and Bodywork for more information about Ruth or our website to join us for Voicebox Resonation!

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.