Over the past weekend, I had the opportunity to attend the Myokinematic Restoration Course put on by the Postural Restoration Institute. It was my second time to attend this course and even though I feel more comfortable with the material and information I gained, my gray matter is still soupy in between the ears!
I wanted to give a brief rundown / synopsis of the course in hopes of getting more people in the S&C and fitness industry to take a course. I am continually trying to become better each day, and hope that by reading this, is stokes the fire to get you to do the same in whatever you deem necessary!
Dan Houglum was our lecturer for the 2 day course. He was engaging with the audience and kept the dialogue simple enough even for me to follow. Our course was over the kinematics relationship of the pelvis and hip, but tied it in to how this affects spine, rib cage, and even jaw / cranial mechanics. Half of the course was hands on, and the attendees had an opportunity to self evaluate each other and go over treatment strategies. Here are a few bullet points on what the weekend had in store for the us.
PRI is a neuro approach to treatment
Why does the body have asymmetry?
- Allows us to rotate
- Gives us our power, performance variables, allows us to move efficiently, etc.
AF (Acetabular – Femoral) dictates FA (Femoral – Acetabular)
If pelvis is not in the right position, hip can’t optimally perform
*Hamstrings job is to pelvic extension (posterior tilt) 
We need a working Diaphragm Muscle to help treat AF / FA
Right DM: 3x thicker, taller, bigger, stronger, more domed then Left DM
R Crural goes to L4
L Crural goes only to L2
Mechanical advantage to grab and turn the axial skeleton to the RIGHT
*Position of bones / joints DICTATE muscle function
Pop Quiz? What are the 3 triosseous muscles of the hip? (ie they attach to 3 bones)
1.
2.
3.
Frontal Plane control is necessary for Transverse Plane activity to occur in correct location
As a recovering Patho PEC, lets just say i move about as well as a lego man…
Neurological postural availability not always long and weak (Right Hamstring)
Femoral Rotation
- IR’s are Loaders
- ER’s are Exploders
If we cant load correctly, how can we be sure we can explode correctly? This is not only a PRI principle, but Cal Dietz says the same in his training philosophy (Triphasic Training)
Here are the Big 3 to get back in a neutral position
L Hamstring (sagital)
L IC Adductor (frontal)
R Glute Max (transverse)
When these muscles, and their bony attachments are not in a good position, we get compensation from the Bad Boy Band (Dan’s analogy and its awesome)
Bad Boy Band stars the L. TFL
Both VL’s
R. Rec Fem
They become proximally overactive as glute / hip flexors
Most people complain of tight hips. If we can get this crappy band to NOT be the main event, we win!
Less than 3% of afferent nerves in the hip capsule are excited by flexion / extension
In the words of the great philosopher Shakira, “hips don’t lie.”
Lets just say everyone needs a little more frontal / transverse motion…which is lotion for the hips
We went through a series of test which looked at skeletal position, ligamentous integrity, muscle stiffness, and NM control of the FA
Once we reposition, lets see if they can own it with the…
Hruska ADDuction Lift test (Mid stance)
Hruska ABDuction Lift test (Late mid stance before heel off & Late swing phase)
This course is not meant to have you change your whole training philosophy, just enhance what you are doing to make you a better practitioner. The techniques are there to help guide you into making your client / athlete BETTER. I have found these techniques guide me and have made me more cognizant of how people move, stand, and perform tasks in the gym or throughout the day. Not only do I hone in my skills, but networking with other professionals allows you access to their specific skill set. I have sent many clients and athletes to other professionals to help when I get stuck on something with an individual. On the flip side, I have been there to also assist other professionals with their clients.
For more information on PRI or to look at taking a course, visit www.posturalrestoration.com.
Also, the 3 triosseous muscles are the; Glute Max, Iliacus, & the Piriformis