Skip to content

PRRT Case Studies

Articles about Primal Reflex Release Technique™ for Pain Relief

Primal Reflex Release Technique™ is a new manual therapy approach for achieving pain relief that has gained recognition and interest from doctors, physical therapists, chiropractors, and other pain-relief professionals. Here is a selection of articles that have featured PRRT™ and its compelling results.

PUBLISHED ARTICLES

“AUTONOMIC RECALIBRATION: A PROMISING APPROACH FOR ALLEVIATING MYOFASCIAL PAIN EXPLORED IN A RETROSPECTIVE CASE SERIES”

2024 Jan;17

This retrospective case series introduces autonomic recalibration (AR) as a novel approach for alleviating chronic myofascial pain. The manuscript explores the rationale, theory, and practice of AR, which targets the autonomic nervous system (ANS) to restore homeostasis and reduce pain.

“COMPARING PRIMAL REFLEX RELEASE TECHNIQUE AND STRETCHING EXERCISES ON PAIN AND FUNCTION IN COCCYDYNIA”

2022 Sep;26

This study aims to find and compare the effects of primal reflex release technique and stretching exercises on pain intensity, functional performance, and pain-free sitting duration in patients with coccydynia.

“IMMEDIATE EFFECT OF PRIMAL REFLEX RELEASE TECHNIQUE ON HEART RATE VARIABILITY IN CHRONIC NECK PAIN: A CASE REPORT”

2021 June;6

Primal reflex release technique (PRRT) is a paradigm shift in the treatment of pain which follows the principle of rebooting the autonomous nervous system (ANS), by down regulating the upgraded sympathetic component of ANS in a variety of pain syndromes. To check the effect of PRRT on chronic neck pain, a case study was done using Heart Rate Variability (HRV) and Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) as outcome measures.

“A NOVEL REGIONAL INTERDEPENDENT APPROACH USING PRIMAL REFLEX RELEASE TECHNIQUE ON PATELLOFEMORAL PAIN: A CASE STUDY”

2020 Apr;27

Patellofemoral pain (PFP) is a very common injury seen in both athletic and civilian populations. Current treatment approaches focus on stretching and strengthening of the tissues surrounding the knee, while any decrease in symptoms associated with the PFP can take anywhere from 6 weeks to 8 months. While it is understood that many biomechanical factors effect symptomology in PFP, there are no current studies using a Regional Interdependent (RI) approach. Primal Reflex Release Technique (PRRT) is a treatment that focuses on down-regulating tissues via stimulation of the startle reflex that results in instant and long lasting effects. The purpose of this case was to examine the instantaneous and long lasting effects of PRRT on a patient with PFP.

“AN EXPLORATORY CASE SERIES ANALYSIS OF THE USE OF PRIMAL REFLEX RELEASE TECHNIQUE™ TO IMPROVE SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS OF HAMSTRING STRAIN”

2020 Apr;15

Hamstring strain (HS), a common condition found among the injured physically active population, is often treated with rest, stretching, and modalities. Primal Reflex Release Technique™ (PRRT™) is a manual therapy technique used to treat pain caused by over-stimulation of the body’s primal reflexes. The purpose of this case series was to explore the immediate effects of PRRT™ for treating hamstring strains.

“TREATING GROIN AND HIP FLEXOR PAIN USING PRIMAL REFLEX RELEASE TECHNIQUE™: A CASE SERIES”

2018 Aug;13

The nervous system plays a significant role in groin/hip flexor pain which is a common complaint in the active population. Patient examinations that lack consideration of the nervous system’s involvement may result in chronic pain and dysfunctional breathing patterns due to continuously excited (also known as “up-regulated”) primal reflexes. Primal Reflex Release Technique™ (PRRT™) is a novel treatment paradigm that was designed to calm primal reflexes from their excitatory state. The purpose of this case series was to describe the effects of down-regulating primal reflexes using PRRT™ on pain, function, and breathing pattern dysfunction in subjects who presented with groin and hip flexor pain and exhibited hyperesthesia to TriggerRegions™ in areas of respiration.

“A CLINICAL GUIDE TO THE ASSESSMENT AND TREATMENT OF BREATHING PATTERN DISORDERS IN THE PHYSICALLY ACTIVE: PART 1.”

2016 Oct;11

Appropriate assessment and interventions for breathing patterns prior to assessment of the patient’s musculoskeletal complaint may be beneficial. Breathing pattern disorders (BPDs) are remediable and influenced by biochemical, biomechanical, psychological, and/or unknown factors. The purpose of this clinical commentary is to demonstrate the integratration of a BPD assessment into a standard clinical musculoskeletal orthopedic examination.

“A CLINICAL GUIDE TO THE ASSESSMENT AND TREATMENT OF BREATHING PATTERN DISORDERS IN THE PHYSICALLY ACTIVE: PART 2, A CASE SERIES”

2016 Dec;11

Breathing pattern disorders (BPDs) are characterized by persistent, suboptimal breathing strategies that may result in additional musculoskeletal pain and/or dysfunction. The purpose of this case series was to examine the effects of Primal Reflex Release Technique (PRRT) and breathing exercise interventions in physically active individuals that presented with a primary complaint of musculoskeletal pain, a BPD, and startle reflexes.

“A NOVEL APPROACH TO TREATING PLANTAR FASCIITIS – EFFECTS OF PRIMAL REFLEX RELEASE TECHNIQUE: A CASE SERIES”

2015 Oct; 10

Plantar fasciitis (PF), a common condition affecting physically active individuals, is typically treated with orthotics, two to four months of stretching programs, and/or surgery. Primal Reflex Release Technique™ (PRRT) is thought to reduce over‐arousal of the nervous system through down‐regulation of the primal reflexes. The technique has been suggested as a novel treatment method for patients suffering from PF. The purpose of this case series was to examine the effects of PRRT on patients with PF.


RESEARCH ARTICLES

“A NOVEL APPROACH TO TREATING ACUTE HAMSTRING INJURY – EFFECTS OF PRIMAL REFLEX RELEASE TECHNIQUE”

LUCAS BIANCO, DAT, LAT, ATC; JAMES MAY, DAT, LAT, ATC; ALAN NASYPANY, EdD, LAT, ATC, March 2019

Hamstring injuries have an occurrence rate of 3.05 per 1000 athlete exposures in intercollegiate athletics. Current clinical practice recommendations for rehabilitation of hamstring injuries are based on pathoanatomical muscle tissue healing timeframes. The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of modulating the nervous system with Primal Reflex Release Technique (PRRT) in patients clinically diagnosed with functional neuromuscular hamstring muscle-related disorder (FNHD).

— VIEW PDF —

“THE PSYCHOLOGICAL AND PHYSIOLOGICAL EFFECT OF PERFORMING THE PRIMAL REFLEX RELEASE TECHNIQUE ON FEMALE, DIVISION I COLLEGIATE ATHLETES”

ERIKA KATHRYN VICHCALES M.A.T., May 2018

Anxiety is a cognitive, behavioral, and physiological reaction to stress, and athletes have an increased risk being in a high-stress environment. One of the effects of increased stress on the body is a condition known as central sensitization (CS) where the central nervous system amplifies sensory input across many organ systems causing a pain response in normally non-painful areas or hypersensitivity to stimuli. The Primal Reflex Release Technique (PRRT) is a manual-therapy approach for evaluating and relieving musculoskeletal pain in patients, and is meant to facilitate a “neural reboot” of a hyperaroused nervous system. The purpose of this study is to examine the effect PRRT has on the psychological and physical symptoms of anxiety.

— VIEW PDF —

“THE BENEFITS OF TRADITIONAL PHYSICAL THERAPY AND PRIMAL REFLEX RELEASE TECHNIQUE IN TREATING CHRONIC LOW BACK PAIN”

Kenneth Worlanyo Wutoh, Doctor of Physical Therapy, University of North Dakota, 2010

Low back pain (LBP) is very prevalent in the general population. It is estimated that 79% of the population will experience low back pain during a lifetime. The purpose of this case report is to elaborate on the importance of traditional physical therapy interventions and to introduce the use of a new technique: primal reflex release technique (PRRT) in the treatment of LBP.

— VIEW PDF —

“Use of Primal Reflex Techniques in the Treatment of Chronic Pain:
A Case Study”

By Nicola McKeon, P.T.

Physical therapy has a role to play in the treatment and management of the chronic pain patient. Diagnoses in the chronic pain population can be varied and include fibromyalgia, functional bowel disorders, headaches, and back pain. Evaluation and management can be difficult as multiple systems are often involved, and it is frequently confusing as to where and how to start treatment. Successful long-term results in the medical and physical therapy management of these patients can be disappointing.

— VIEW PDF —

“Inclusion of Primal Reflex Release Technique™ (PRRT) in the plan of care for shoulder pain: A case report”

By KerriJo Carnahan, S.P.T.

Shoulder pain in physical therapy is a common occurrence; however, literature is mixed when it comes to the most efficacious treatment approach. The purpose of this paper was to introduce a new technique, Primal Reflex Release Technique™ (PRRT), into the realm of shoulder care. This article describes the management of a 55-year-old male patient with bilateral shoulder pain during elevation which was insidious in nature.

— VIEW PDF —

INFORMATIONAL ARTICLES

“When Reflexes Rule: A New Paradigm in Understanding Why Some Patients Don’t Get Well”

Advance for Physical Therapy and Rehab Medicine, 16:3, p. 41, January 17, 2005
By John Iams, P.T. M.A.

As P.T.s and P.T.A.s, we’ve learned to examine and treat muscles, fascia, joints, tendons, ligaments, neural tension and even the dura. But why not reflexes?

— READ MORE —

“Primal Reflex Release Technique: Welcome to a Paradigm Shift”

Cyber PT, May 7, 2008
By Frank Fantazzi, P.T., O.C.S., Amy Snyder, M.P.T., Mark Snyder, P.T.

Primal Reflex Release Technique™ (PRRT) is a new treatment approach in the field of pain treatment and management that has the potential to radically alter the influence of the physical therapist in the health care model. PRRT will create the next paradigm shift in physical therapy.

— READ MORE —

“Reflexes Rule and Can Be Cruel”

APTA | Orthopaedic Practice, Vol 15; 1;03, p. 41-42
By John Iams, M.P.T.

Could there be a missing piece in the puzzle of pain currently not being examined by even the most competent practitioners? The answer is a resounding, Yes!

— READ MORE —

ARTICLES ABOUT JOHN IAMS, FOUNDER OF PRRT™

“Straight to Success “

Advance for Physical Therapy and Rehab Medicine, 19:25, p. 28, December 2, 2008
By Lauren Himiak

Convinced that slumped posture led to pain, one PT created a system allowing patients to increase spinal mobility.

— READ MORE —

“Body & Soul”

The San Diego Union-Tribune, September 9, 2002
By Jack Williams

With nothing more invasive than his fingertips and a miniature rubber hammer, John Iams embarks on a daily pain-relief mission. His strategy: literally tapping into the body’s innate ability to heal itself.

— READ MORE —