Our Approach
Consultation
Christy Peterson, PT
I have utilized postural restoration techniques for both myself and my patients for several years. I have practiced for 23 years and now consider this approach to be my most valuable tool for effective patient treatment. The philosophy of decreasing unwanted muscle tone by total isolation of others offers extremely rapid results.
Initially I had a difficult time believing an obers test could be negative following a few simple exercises, however, now that I truly understand Ron’s philosophies, I am observing this occurrence on a regular basis.
The entire philosophy of improving diaphragm function and developing normal respiratory patterns to assist with normalized movements of the trunk is crucial. Patients that I believe would normally be sent to a pain clinic are improving.
I have had a personal history of headache pain and sacroiliac and scapular instability. Normal strengthening and stability programs were not effective. Ron assisted me with exercise and referred me to Dr. Michael Hoefs, a TMD and cranial facial pain specialist. He fit me with a night and day splint that seemed to be the missing link in relaxing my headache pain. I had considerable limitation in right shoulder internal rotation for 20 years that had not responded to stretching. In 1 week my rotation was completely normal and my neck tension relieved. This is effective therapy! I still need to exercise and watch my position; however I can now choose to be pain free. As for my sacroiliac dysfunction, I can now run more comfortably at 48 years old than I did 25 years ago.
The integration of systems I see performed at Hruska Clinic including respiration, vision, dental and musculoskeletal seem to create a unique opportunity for rapid tone changes, improved postural balance and subsequent pain relief. My previous skepticism has been negated by amazed patients who are witnessing major changes in functional ability and pain reduction.
For example, I brought an extremely involved patient to see Ron after an orthopedic surgeon classified her as a symptom magnifier. She originally had been diagnosed with a spondylisthesis and subsequently fell prone in a waterskiing accident resulting in extreme hyperextension of her low back and a black eye. She reported tingling and pain in all four extremities as well as low back, neck and thoracic pain. Ron questioned possible head trauma as she also had 2 other head insults previously. After assessing that her peripheral vision was lacking on one side, he placed tape on each lens of her eye glasses to force her to focus peripherally. Following walking 3-4 minutes, she reported immediate relaxation of her low back. She was then able to return to the plinth to find she could lie flat comfortably – the first time in 2 years. Ron felt her vision had kept her locked in the sagital plane. My patient is a living example of restoration of function as we began exercises, incorporating all planes of movement with her glasses and tape in place. She is now functioning well with minimal discomfort although we continue to see her intermittently for manual therapeutic techniques and progressive exercise.
My son has undergone vision therapy and I certainly understand the strong correlations between vision and posture, which was reinforced by the above example.
Diagnoses that used to be very difficult to treat are now fun to tackle including hip bursitis, thoracic pain, headache pain and TMJ dysfunction. Our clinic of PRI therapists sees low back pain for an average of 4 – 6 visits. It only makes sense to me that we were created with a body designed to function integrally with all its systems dependent on each other. I commend Ron for stepping out in the forefront to help us begin to understand this process.
Hruska Clinic Restorative Physical Therapy Services
5241 R Street, Lincoln, Nebraska 68504
Phone: (402) 467-4545 | Contact Us
