Course Notes: PRI Cervical Revolution

Where are all the People? I recently made the trek to Vermont for the first rendition of PRI’s Cervical Revolution course; a course in which the attendees doubled the population of the entire state. It was nice to go to the class with a bunch of old friends. You always learn better that way, and I couldn’t have been more excited to get the band back together. And even more so, I got to meet a lot of good folks for the first time. It was a real treat. This course was meant to update the former craniocervical mandibular restoration course (which I reviewed here and here), with extra emphasis on the cervical spine and OA joint. In this blog however, I will not touch much on the cervical spine positioning. I still have several questions regarding the mechanics. Some spots within the manual seemed to be conflicting; the blessing and curse of a first run-through. I will update this piece once I get these points figured out. That said, the revolution helped fine tune the dental integration process for me. I have been working a bit with a dentist, and I have a bit more insight in terms of what devices they are using for whom. Let’s go through my big a-ha moments. Smudging 901 The human body is symmetrically asymmetrical. When we have capacity to alternate and reciprocate, we are able to separate the body into parts to form a whole. If you lack integration, then there are

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Treatment at the Hruska Clinic: The Finishing Touches

For part 1, click here. For part 2, click here. A Low Key Day 3  Day three consisted mostly of putting the finishing touches on my quest toward neutrality. The morning began by tweaking my gelb splint so I was getting even contact on both sides. This way I would be ensured to not have an asymmetrical bite. I put a pair of trial lenses that fit my PRI prescription, and grinding commenced. We finished with this:   Once the splint was done, I had a final meeting with Ron to go over my exercise program. I was placed into phase one visual training with two pairs of glasses. My training glasses were to be used when I lift weights, perform my exercises, walk around, etc. I could wear these for up to 30 minutes at a time; making sure I maximize my visual awareness of the environment. While I was wearing these glasses, I was to be keen on finding and feeling my heels; especially when I turn my head. The glasses would help me find the floor, as well as help my eyes work together and independently from my neck. My second pair of glasses was to be used while performing any activities within arms reach. This pair helps my eyes converge better and promote less eye fatigue. Ron gave me several phase I vision activities as well as a few others. His main objectives were to get my eyes to move independent of my neck. We also

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Treatment at the Hruska Clinic: PRI Dentistry and Vision

For part 1, click here For part 3, click here Jaws will Drop  I’m in the dentist chair, The room slowly get darker and darker. I feel my mouth open, and I wasn’t sure what would happen next. Then Dr. Schnell places the necessary goup in my mouth to get an impression for my splint. I bite, and out comes the finish product. Before the impression was taken, Ron came in and explained what he was hoping to accomplish. He wanted to fit me for a gelb splint to give my tongue some space to move in my crowded mouth. This splint would also help bring my mandible forward. Dr. Schnell: “Is he neutral right now?” Ron: [throws a towel over my eyes and sets my neck in a lordosis] “Now he is.” And with that, the above sequence occurred and I was ready for vision. I couldn’t leave the room without that overarching reminder Ron gave me: Ron: “Margo, if this was your son, what would you do with those wisdom teeth?” Dr. Schnell: “I’d have them pulled.” Yikes! An Eye Opening Experience  It was so much fun watching Ron and Heidi teach together, that I could only imagine what it was like seeing them treat. They did not disappoint. My session was getting videotaped for their marketing department, so I again told them my story. It ought to end up on the Internet sometime, so stay tuned for that! They began the session by showing some of my

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Treatment at the Hruska Clinic – Initial Evaluation

For part 2, click here. For part 3, click here. “Do you produce enough saliva?” That was the first interview question Ron Hruska asked me; something I will never forget. I went to Lincoln, NE for almost a week to take a course, get treated, and observe PRI in it’s purest form. I wanted to see Ron out of curiosity and because I cannot achieve neutrality on my own. I have done most every exercise that could be thought of and been “worked on” by my fellow comrades and a couple PRI instructors in courses; nothing could budge. I knew I needed some type of orthotic to get somewhere; the question was which one? Subjective Complaints I do not have any pain really. My only complaints are a tight neck and I can’t seem to deadlift without feeling most of the effort in my back. I don’t see this deadlifting problem as a form issue necessarily. Interning with Bill Hartman at IFAST cleaned that up, and for a long time I could feel glutes and hamstrings all day when I deadlift. But not now. Other “issues” I have Left TMJ clicks; nonpainful. Clench jaw at night. Eye strain after reading on a computer too long (duh). By PRI standards, I am a classic PEC. I have no pathology anywhere, but I am limited in almost every motion.  I knew this and so did Ron. Objective Exam  First Ron had me walk and was pointing out some things to my student-to-be Trevor,

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