Primal Reflex Release Technique (PRRT)

Ask any patient who's recovered from pain what it's like to be free of pain. They'll tell you how wonderful it is to move again without the fear of pain worsening. The problem is how can we replace nocioception (pain) with proprioception (sense of movement) in most people?

Most patients notice up to 50% improvement the first session and are so excited, they're on their cell phones on the way home calling everyone they know who's in pain.

See what the Baltimore Sun has to say about PRRT.

What is PRRT?
PRRT identifies highly sensitive areas in the body where the normal responses are in overdrive. Human beings have primal reflexes, responses that influence muscles in the spinal cord and brain stem. We have withdrawal reflexes and startle reflexes. Unresolved pain in our bodies may cause these responses to become hyper-excited.

How does it work?
PRRT identifies trigger areas or hyper-excited regions and patients can see changes quickly because the sensitivity is diminished. It seems to work by inhibiting the overworked muscle or hyper-excited reflex.

Who is a good candidate?
Anyone with muscle pain or stiffness or joint pain can benefit from PRRT. It can also help with fibromyalgia and athletic injuries.

What should the patient expect?
After taking a patient history our therapist will perform a brief exam to identify the painful and hypersensitive areas.

This exam primarily covers from the tailbone, to the lumbar area, diaphragm, thoracic, cervical and head. The more in depth exam includes the feet, legs, thighs, pelvis and the trunk.

Then our physical therapist treats these areas with various techniques, usually tapping with fingers or a small hammer on a part of the body held in a certain position. The tapping movements activate opposing muscle groups in the painful areas, a process that can lead to immediate pain relief.

PRRT is often combined with a soft tissue component and possible h eat and electrical stimulation. Our therapist will explain how to do exercises and relaxation techniques at home, to sustain improvements.

Why try PRRT?
This treatment is non-invasive and painless. Patients usually experience an immediate degree of relief and increased movement. Many experience rapid and lasting pain relief. We are often able to resolve some problems within just 1 to 3 sessions. Sometimes does it require more than that especially if someone's had surgery. One of the greatest benefits of this therapy is the speed with which the change occurs, even if other methods of treatment haven't been working.

• Shoulder Impingement
• Rotator Cuff Syndrome
• Fibromyalgia
• Low Back Pain
• Degenerative Disc Disease
• Osteoarthritis
• Myofascial Pain
• Trigger Points
• Restricted Joint Motion
• Medial & Lateral Epicondylitis
• Overuse Syndromes
• Bursitis
• Cervical Hyperextension (Whiplash)
• Sports Injuries
• Spasms
• Tunnel Syndromes (i.e., Carpal)
• Repetitive Strain Injuries
• Tendonitis
• Postural Pain Syndrome
• Piriformis Syndrome
• Pulled, Torn or Tight Muscles
• Sacroiliac Pain
• Sciatica
• Plantar Fasciitis
• Headache, including Migraine
• TMD/TMJ

Official PRRT Site: http://prrtpatient.com