A Patient-Centered Approach to Posture and Movement
If you are looking for postural restoration in South East Calgary, AB and North East Calgary, AB, you may be interested in an approach that looks at how your posture, breathing, and movement patterns work together. The Postural Restoration Institute® (PRI) focuses on understanding the postural adaptations and asymmetries that can develop over time and how these patterns may influence the way different joints and muscle groups work together.
At Ability Physiotherapy & Wellness, our physiotherapists use principles from Postural Restoration to better understand how your body moves and how certain patterns may contribute to discomfort, movement limitations, or difficulty with daily activities. Your care will be based on your individual presentation, symptoms, and goals.
What Is Postural Restoration?
The Postural Restoration Institute® was established in 2000 to explore the relationship between posture, movement, breathing, and the way different parts of the body work together. Postural restoration considers several factors that may influence how you move and adapt, including:
- Asymmetrical function
- Muscle tone and activation
- Neuromuscular coordination
- PRI neuromuscular orthotic principles
- Changes in muscle function
- Polyarticular muscular chains
- Nervous system adaptations
- Compensatory movement patterns
- Breathing and respiratory mechanics
- Balance between muscle inhibition and strengthening
Rather than looking at one body part in isolation, this approach considers how different systems and movement patterns may interact. This can help your physiotherapist develop a clearer understanding of what you are experiencing and how to approach your care.
Understanding the Principles Behind Postural Restoration
The Postural Restoration Institute® was created to explore the “how” and “why” behind postural adaptations and asymmetrical movement patterns. These patterns are a normal part of how the body responds to activities, positions, and the demands placed on it.
In some cases, however, certain movement or postural patterns may contribute to difficulty with movement or ongoing symptoms. Postural Restoration uses an assessment-based approach to identify these patterns and determine whether they may be relevant to your concerns.
The goal is to help you better understand your movement and give you practical strategies that may support more comfortable and efficient movement.
This may include looking at how posture and movement relate to:
- Respiration
- Myokinematics, or the way muscles influence joint movement
- Neuromuscular function
- Postural balance
- Movement coordination
- Compensatory movement patterns
Postural Restoration at Ability Physiotherapy & Wellness
At our physiotherapy clinics in South East Calgary, AB and North East Calgary, AB, our trained professionals incorporate Postural Restoration principles when they are appropriate for your needs. Your physiotherapist will consider your symptoms, movement patterns, and goals rather than applying the same approach to every patient.
During your initial appointment, you will have a thorough evaluation. Your physiotherapist may assess your posture, breathing patterns, movement, muscle function, and asymmetries to better understand how your body is working as a whole.
Based on your evaluation, your physiotherapist will develop a treatment approach that may include specific exercises, movement strategies, breathing techniques, and other physiotherapy treatments. You will also have an opportunity to ask questions and learn more about what may be contributing to your symptoms.
What to Expect From Your Evaluation
Your first appointment is an opportunity to understand your concerns and determine whether Postural Restoration principles may be helpful as part of your care.
Your physiotherapist will use this information to guide your care and help you understand how your treatment relates to the activities and goals that matter to you.
Your physiotherapist may:
- Ask about your symptoms, activities, and goals
- Observe how you stand, walk, and move
- Assess posture and asymmetrical movement patterns
- Look at breathing and respiratory mechanics
- Assess muscle and joint function
- Identify movement patterns that may be contributing to your concerns
- Explain their findings and discuss treatment options with you
Frequently Asked Questions
Support for Better Movement
Postural Restoration may be one part of a broader physiotherapy program designed around your needs. By improving your awareness of posture, breathing, and movement, you may develop strategies that help you move with greater comfort and confidence.
At Ability Physiotherapy & Wellness, we want you to understand your care and feel involved in the process. Your physiotherapist will work with you to address your concerns, build appropriate movement strategies, and support your progress toward the activities you want to return to.
If you are interested in learning whether postural restoration may be appropriate for you, contact Ability Physiotherapy & Wellness to schedule an assessment and discuss your concerns with a physiotherapist.
THE ABILITY WAY
Care That Starts With You
We believe your care should never be one-size-fits-all. Every plan is shaped around your story, your goals, and the way you want to move through life.
- One-on-one personalized care
- A plan built around your goals
- Hands-on treatment and movement support
- Education to support lasting progress
