Services

Postural Restoration

The human body is not symmetrical.  We have a large liver on the right side and our heart on the left side. Our lungs have three lobes on the right side and only two on the left. These asymmetries influence the way you stand, sit, walk, and even breathe. We develop a dominant hand and a dominant leg, causing our bodies to develop patterns of limited motion to accommodate. This limited motion can cause imbalances in strength and chronic pain may develop. 

What is Postural Restoration?

Postural Restoration (PRI) is a form of physical therapy treatment that encompasses the entire body. The main focus of the treatment is identifying and correcting common postural patterns found in the human body.  A Postural Restoration Physical Therapist is trained to recognize, assess and treat biomechanical asymmetries that develop due to restricted motion in the body. Postural Restoration is an effective treatment approach for most musculoskeletal problems typically seen in physical therapy.

Justin Kral, PT, PRC, is one of less than 200 certified postural restoration therapists. Justin is located at Grand Island Physical Therapy South Locust in Grand Island, Nebraska. 

Postural Restoration Treatment Programs

Treatment programs are designed to address these specific asymmetries and restore more symmetrical, efficient motion.  Central to treatment is breathing education. Patients will often breathe shallow or more into one lung.  Poor breathing not only greatly affects body system function from a medical standpoint, but it limits proper rib cage and spine movement.

Each patient will be given an individualized treatment program allowing the patient to practice and learn techniques in the home. Our goal of treatment is to develop normal balance on both sides of the rib cage. This allows ribs to move without restriction thus allowing the spine to rotate and joints move with less restriction.

As patients improve with these techniques, they will often experience greater freedom of movement, improved performance, and decreased pain.

Who would benefit?

  • Chronic Pain
  • Balance Disturbance/Falls
  • Difficulties with Walking or Running
  • Dizziness/Vertigo
  • Back, Hip or Sciatica Pain
  • SI Joint Sprains/Strains
  • Bursitis
  • Knee Pain
  • Foot Pain
  • Headaches/Neck Pain
  • Fibromyalgia/Pain Management
  • Difficulties with Breathing
  • Athletic Performance Issues
  • Scoliosis
  • Incontinence
  • Osteoporosis
  • Arthritis
  • Visual Deficits
  • Traumatic Brain Injury
  • Spinal Cord Injuries
  • Stroke/CVA