Positional Release Therapy (PRT) also known by its parent term, strain counterstrain, is a form manual medicine that resolves pain and tissue dysfunction. Through positioning the body and tissue in positions of comfort, the neurological system can be manipulated to interrupt the pain spasm cycle and over time, to reset the resting length of tissue in a "normal" range, which promotes increase in strength, performance and function. Essentially, PRT is the opposite of stretching. Much like unkinking a knot from a chain necklace, PRT works in the same fashion; tissues are pushed together, twisted, compressed and manipulated to take tension off "neurological chain links." The therapy is pain-free and is suited for all ages and most painful conditions.
The primary goal of PRT is to promote a positive healing environment by correcting musculoskeletal and neurological imbalances to facilitate tissue regeneration, growth, and repair in order for the body to self-correct itself. Dr. Speicher has advanced this technique though his research and clinical practice into a full body therapy for integration into a comprehensive treatment plan.
PRT was first developed in 1950 by Dr. Lawerence Jones, DO, an osteopathic physician. He first termed it positional release technique then later coined it strain counterstrain due his theory that the body developed tissue restrictions or tenderpoints (discrete areas of myofascial dysfunction) in tissues not directly insulted. Therefore, a patient might suddenly strain their back, but the hip flexors opposing the back would be counterstrained--which resulted in these tissues being the primary problem of the patients pain, needing release before the back pain would resolve.