PRT is also used to treat muscle spasms, muscle tension, and even joint swelling and stiffness. It can improve range of motion that has been limited by injury or pain as well. Other ailments that PRT can relieve include:
Certain body positions, when held for a period of time, actually work to reset the body's proprioceptive and neuromuscular systems. The muscular system is made up of sensors known as proprioceptors, which can be stimulated in different ways. When the correct stimulus is applied to the sensors it returns the muscular, nervous, and skeletal system to a healthier, more balanced state and thus reduces pain.
Pain is often caused by an imbalance. The body is very dynamic and injuries affect this delicate balance. Even after you've recovered from an injury, you may still experience aches and discomfort, such as with the left ankle and right hip example mentioned previously. The injury to your ankle causes the opposite hip to be overworked.
In a PRT session, the tender, sore, or painful places on the patient's body are first located. The Positional Release Therapist then positions the body to maximize the comfort level. This position is then held for about 90 seconds. Then the body is placed moved into a position of comfort until the patient experience the "release" of Positional Release Therapy.
The PRT patient will feel a variety of sensations like warmth, vibrations, and above all, a relief of their pain. When the release occurs the pain will be replaced by a feeling of relaxation in the tender location. After the release the patient slowly returns from the position. Depending upon the patient and the type of pain, complete relief can take from one to several sessions. Many patients report at least a 70% improvement in their symptoms after just the first session.