Postural Restoration®

The Postural Restoration Institute is a company focused on exploring and improving the postural adaptations and asymmetries that patients develop, especially in regards to the way they change and influence the polyarticular (pronounced: pah-lee-ar-tik-yoo-lur) chains or collection of joints of your body. For more information on how our practice has adopted methods used by the Postural Restoration Institute, and how these methods may benefit you, contact Appalachian Physical Therapy today.

What is postural restoration?

The Postural Restoration Institute was established in the year 2000, and it has grown rapidly since. There are now just over 200 Postural Restoration Certified professionals, over 50 Postural Restoration Trained professionals, and over 80 Postural Restoration Centers across the country. Postural restoration focuses on several key aspects that link postural dysfunctions to the interference and damage on polyarticular chains, including:

• Asymmetrical function
• Hypertonicity
• PRI neuromuscular orthotic principles
• Recognition of altered systemic muscles
• Polyarticular muscular chains
• Hemispheric plasticity
• Regulatory functional lateralization
• Unilateral compensatory patterned function
• Multi-faceted approach of non-linear treatment
• Imbalanced inhibition vs. balanced strengthening

The mission behind postural restoration:

When the Postural Restoration Institute was established, it was done so as a way to explore and explain the “hows” and “whys” behind postural adaptation. This includes both the scientific and medical explanations behind asymmetrical patterns and their influence on the polyarticular chains of muscles.

Those who seek certification and training in postural restoration are committed to correcting dysfunctions through innovative treatments. Postural restoration as a form of physical therapy treatment is meant to address, diagnose, and treat the primary contributions of postural kinematic movement dysfunction. Essentially, these treatments get to the root of the problem and aim to correct the dysfunction, rather than simply masking the symptoms.

Simply put, postural restoration is a method that strives to improve the practice of physical medicine. The Postural Restoration Institute is a way to create and provide resources, educational opportunities, patient-care programs, and research to those who are committed to gaining expertise in the most contemporary, innovative, and effective methods of patient care. Postural restoration professionals have extensive knowledge on how asymmetrical affects interfere with the human body, including:

• Respiration
• Myokinematics
• Neuromuscular applications
• Postural imbalances

Postural restoration at Appalachian Physical Therapy:

At our Harrisonburg, Broadway, and Pinehurst physical therapy practices, you know you’ll be treated by some of the most experienced physical therapists in the area. We have trained professionals in the field of postural restoration who would be happy to help you relieve your pain and regain your optimum function once again.

At your initial appointment, you will undergo a thorough evaluation with one of our highly-trained and Postural Restoration Certified physical therapists. Your evaluation will assess your postural dysfunctions, asymmetrical adaptations, interferences on your polyarticular chain, and accompanying symptoms. After your evaluation, one of our Harrisonburg, Broadway, or Pinehurst physical therapists will create an individualized treatment plan based on your specific needs, in order to help you achieve postural restoration. To get started on your path towards improved posture, Contact Us Today at Pinehurst, NC & Harrisonburg & Broadway, VA Centers.