Being human means you can’t help but be drawn to a long list of ideas in health, wellness, and physical preparation. Some people are attracted to fancy watches and flashy-looking exercises; others chase cryotherapy or Paleo meals that taste like sawdust. I’m not here to judge. Everything has its moment, and people respond differently. What works for me may not work for you—and that’s perfectly fine.
Back in 2009–2010, at Cressey Sports Performance, I was introduced to the Postural Restoration Institute (PRI). We adopted some of their ideas—especially positional breathing—and used them in our athletes’ and clients’ programs, with solid results. Since then, PRI has grown in popularity and I still use parts of it. But the key point I want to make is that it’s only part of my approach.
PRI, for better or worse, can pull people into a long rabbit hole of mystery and competing theories. Today’s guest post from Boston-based physical therapist Mike DeMille offers a needed perspective on that phenomenon. If PRI interests you, I’d suggest checking out Mike’s course and mentorship.
What I’d tell someone starting out? In a field full of biomechanics, neurology, chronic pain, and the goal of resilience, choosing which continuing education courses to take is hard. I’ve been a PRC (Postural Restoration Certified) PT for five years, and it’s easy to get pulled into the PRI rabbit hole. A note I wrote years ago about this drift is available if you want to read more.
After taking different courses, it can be tough to sift through the information and decide which principles to keep in your practice, while letting go of details that won’t help your clients. So, what counts as minutiae? Which techniques, exercises, prehab/rehab protocols, cues, or flashy phrases aren’t essential as you build your system?
That’s exactly what we’re talking about. After years in cash-based PT and personal training and starting my own clinic near Boston, I’ve developed some simple rules to hold on to and others to leave behind. Let’s dive in.
Think like a practitioner, speak to clients. Your clients don’t care what things are called, and neither should you. Terms like exhale, eccentrically orient, compress, early-to-late stance, or “breathing from an exhaled skeleton” can get tangled. If you can’t explain a concept in plain terms, you probably shouldn’t spend a lot of time on it. Think of writing a simple message with a bold marker rather than a fine pencil that’s hard to read. For example, if a client seems to be in lumbar extension and needs to learn how to exhale to reduce pain, keep the messaging simple. You’ll gain buy-in by telling a straightforward story and letting clients feel the difference, rather than listing every possible compensatory strategy to prove your program’s value.
Nothing is truly new; it’s just got a fancier name. One big trap is shiny object syndrome: after you see someone’s shoulder flex much more after a vivid breathing drill, you may want to give that drill to everyone. There’s a difference between a technique that creates temporary changes and a principle that yields lasting, repeatable results. Core principles that fit a movement practice for people with pain include clear communication (to avoid nocebo), aligning the axial skeleton to support load-bearing joints, and progressive overload. It may be less exciting to keep things steady, but these principles can build a sustainable business and deliver real results.
Closing thoughts: there’s nothing wrong with taking new courses, finding helpful information, and building buy-in with prospective clients, as well as appreciating the nuances of physical therapy and strength and conditioning. But the main goal is to tie your name to something that reliably produces results—that’s why many of us chose this field in the first place.
If this resonates and you’re a physical therapist or movement professional who wants to sift through information and apply the relevant principles, a community I’m part of with Tyler Tanaka helps people do just that. We guide practitioners who want to apply what they’ve learned and speak with their ideal clients to grow the business they’ve always wanted. The Solidify program offers a structured curriculum and one-on-one refinement calls to address tough patients and broader practice questions. More details are available, with starts on June 6 and limited spots.
And on a lighter note: forget the endless debate about kipping pull-ups. Stop it. Seriously, just stop. On a personal note, I still think about not beating Mike Tyson, and that memory stays with me. I also wonder about a few childhood quirks, like He-Man’s bowl cut and Baywatch—even if it’s a silly mix of thoughts.
