PRRT (Primal Reflex Release Technique)

It is a systematic approach to treating over stimulated primal reflexes. It is the over stimulation of these reflexes that keeps painful patterns in place. John has experienced a 80% success rate treating people with painful conditions. There also may be a subsidiary effect on other body systems by treating these reflexes.

New Model of Pain Treatment

Primal Reflex Release Technique will affect the current scientific model of treating pain, and the role of physical therapy in health care. The medical model is based on the premise that symptoms result from physiological, biochemical or anatomical disturbances indicative of disease. Conversely, this technique states all painful experiences are controlled by a central source.

The primal reflexes, according to John Iams, are at the root of all chronic painful conditions. Being hardwired into the nervous system, these reflexes protect the body using a fight/flight response, which is related to stress. Sustaining a state of hyper readiness, or up regulation, these primal reflexes contribute to pain patterns that are reproduced, duplicated and maintained.

Approximately 80% of all disease and illness is related to stress according to the AMA. This new tool or modality treats many medical conditions. The physical therapist is now able to assess and treat patients more effectively.

According to John Iams, “only 80% of my patients respond to PRRT”, and he further states, “When I fail, I fail quickly”. Reasons for this may include unrecognized stress, emotional factors, medical conditions, and nutritional conditions. Although, this technique may not work for everyone, it can also be used to rule out conditions, and give some direction to the overall health plan. So it does make other techniques more effective.

Treatments

The initial treatment uses about 6 to 8 techniques, and takes about 5 minutes. Pain is alleviated by relaxing contracted muscles. The reflex response elicited in tendons and muscles restores normal blood flow and hastens healing. Also a patient is usually given a few home exercises as well.

A patient normally will show improvement in 2 to 3 sessions. If there is no improvement by the 3rd session, PRRT is not the answer. When pain continues, this technique can be utilized in conjunction with other procedures such as ultrasound, infrared, Myofascial Release, electrical stimulation, Soft Tissue Mobilization, Cranial Sacral Therapy, Joint Mobilization, and Muscle Energy Techniques.

Patient education is extremely important in maintaining the treatment benefits, and understanding the need to relax. This will avoid a relapse due to underlying stresses. Parent education is also necessary in supporting a child undergoing this treatment.

Validated by Health Professionals

PRRT has been validated by several medical practitioners such as Daniel Solomon, a medical doctor and researcher at Scripps Research Institute. After John Iams treated Daniel’s son, who was healed from an acute groin injury from playing soccer, Dr. Solomon was convinced. “Traditional medicine had a shot at it for two months,” he said, “so this was a very good experiment."....”Within a week , Marc was playing soccer again.”

Over the past two years, Dr. Solomon has referred several organ transplant patients to John, and the majority have gained significant relief from their musculoskeletal pains. PRRT seems to be the missing piece in treating sports injuries.

Justin Frandson is the Director of the Development Program at Scripps Clinic, and he has referred many injured athletes to John Iams. “It’s absolutely unbelievable what John’s doing”, he said. “I’ve seen a lot of healers in all avenues, and he’s created something new. A breakthrough. I’ve had him take care of chronic neck pain in one visit.”

Jeff Riolo is a sports agent representing professional baseball players. This is what he has to say about this technique: “I’ve seen it work effectively for 80% of the people I’ve taken to John. I tried it first on myself. Instead of daily pain in my arthritic knees, it’s only sporadic, depending on how much activity I do.”....”And I am able to do everything I want: the treadmill, the StairMaster, golf, stationary bike, fly fishing and tennis.”

For more information on this innovative therapy, check out the Primal Reflex Release Technique website. This is truly a paradigm shift in the treatment of sports injuries and chronic pain.

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