Postural Restoration Institute Method

What is the PRI method?

The Postural Restoration Institute (PRI) incorporates a method to help people of all ages and ability levels stay balanced from postural asymmetries that occur in the body. Our bodies often move and function in asymmetry to maintain balance. A primary example is whenever we walk or run, one side of the body is creating a new step and the other is finishing the step you just took. PRI uses repositioning and repatterning techniques to maintain proper balance of those asymmetrical movements and functions to keep the body from over compensation.

When and Why should you use PRI method?

When using PRI, the idea is to identify and correct standard patterns found in our muscles and joints from side to side, from front to back and from top to bottom. These asymmetrical patterns influence the way we stand, sit, walk, breathe and even sleep. Infinity Sports Institute uses PRI method to help individual maintain postural balance for the long-term based on measuring their compensations through a full functional evaluation. Infinity Sports Institute uses PRI as another added tool to tackle abnormal postural patterns, unbalanced movement, and breathing patterns.

The Takeaway

The PRI method has given us a great resource to evaluate and treat proper functions of the body. This holistic approach has been effective and efficient when treating all different types of diagnoses.

In addition to PRI, Infinity Sports uses Fascial Stretching and Rocktape Techniques that can help restore an individual’s posture. To book an appointment or learn more about these services contact us at info@infinitysi.comor call 786-491-7586.

Dynamic Contraction Technique

What is DCT?

Dynamic Contraction Technique (DCT) is a methodology that uses eccentric muscle contractions to breakdown scar tissue. Scar tissue is abnormal unions of connective tissue in the body that form after trauma and can affect skin, muscles, ligaments and tendons. Nic Bartolotta developed the technique based on the idea of muscle tension and strategies to reduce knots within the muscles. The goal of the DCT methodology is to reestablish muscle function and improve flexibility through lengthening the active muscle under a load which is called an eccentric muscle contraction. The idea is that the eccentric contraction helps pull apart some of those muscle fibers that become knotted together creating a “tight” muscle. DCT incorporates a balance of resistance stretching and strength training that combines principles from modalities across the world in order to improve performance, reduce injury risk, and improve quality of life conditions by establishing better muscle function and reducing chronic discomfort from tight muscles.

Why and When would you use DCT?

DCT can be used for anyone. Infinity Sports Institute will apply DCT techniques on a case by case basis following a consultation and/or an evaluation. The techniques are used routinely to address injuries and for developing performance programs based on the individual’s goal. The idea of DCT simply put is to strengthen the weak tissues and expand the strong tissue. This happens by doing an eccentric muscle contraction, or by placing a load on a muscle that is being stretched and lengthened. An example of an eccentric contraction would be instead of performing a normal biceps curl up towards their chest, they slowly resist against the weight as it lowers back down away from their chest.

The Takeaway

Practitioners and clients using DCT’s methods are able to improve stability in the body, by improving movement and how the body is able to handle wear and tear. DCT’s methodology is a great resource to utilize when applied appropriately and correctly. If you have been having mobility issues and feeling tons of different knots then DCT might be for you.

Call Infinity Sports Institute now at (786)591-7586 to schedule a consultation or full functional evaluation with a professional to see if DCT techniques can help you!

Running: Using RockTape To Improve Your Running !

Using RockTape To Improve Your Running

I am sure you have seen a numerous amounts of athletes on TV rocking this cool looking tape on their shoulders, necks, backs and other areas. From Olympic Swimming to NBA or the NFL, athletes of all kinds are enjoying the benefits of this tape. I’m sure you’re wondering how it can help your running, right? But, before we explain how it can be used to improve your running, let’s find out what it is.

So what exactly is RockTape?

RockTape is a Kinesiology Tape preferred by many due to its high quality, pliability and great adhesive. RockTape is made from 97% Cotton 3% Nylon; with a hypo-allergenic, acrylic based adhesive that’s free of latex. This allows RockTape to outperform the competition by being stretchier and stickier.

But what is Kinesiology Tape?

Kinesiology Tape was developed in the 1970s by Dr.Kenzo Kase, from Kojimachi, Tokyo,as a way to prolong the healing effects of his treatment for his patients through the skin.

Kinesiology Tape is not like Athletic Tape. Athletic Tape is meant to be rigid, restrict motion and add support, as where Kinesiology Tape is meant to be flexible not restricting and assist in mobility, plus more!

RockTape can be used in many ways for multiple benefits.

To Relieve Pain
To Activate or De-Activate a Muscle
To Reduce Swelling
To Delay Fatigue
To Decompress
To Enhance Movement and Improve Posture

My run was amazing!! The tape was great I attribute he comfort of my run to the rock tape!!! You guys…. Rock!!

Mary Hussey – 2018 Miami Marathon participant

Improve your running

One of the major issues with runners is that lingering discomfort or pain. RockTape can be used to help with that knee, hip or lower back pain by altering the pain signals to the brain changing the way your body perceives the pain. It can do this by lifting the skin and decompressing the area where pain or discomfort is present (as shown in the image above).

That constant Knee pain/discomfort can actually be caused by energy leaks(click here for previous post on energy leaks) due to inefficient biomechanics. A great example of this is knee pain caused by an over-pronating foot. You can use RockTape to temporarily correct the medial collapse which can improve that knee pain/discomfort as well as improve your gait! This is done as the RockTape will provide Kinesthetic Guidance (tactile stimuli providing feedback to the brain on how to move) so you can move more efficiently. The RockTape acts as a physical cue to better enhance a movement pattern (as shown below)

Swollen Knees or Ankles?

No worries, RockTape can be used to help assist the lymphatic system by draining lymphatic fluid! This will not only help reduce swelling but it also helps with bruising!

RockTape can be used in so many different ways to help improve your running. Although the taping looks simple only a trained professional is able to determine why it’s needed, what needs to be taped and how it should be taped. The why, what and how are crucial in achieving a dramatic and positive effect.

By: Hector Maradiaga Co-Founder | Performance Specialist

Would you like to see how RockTape can work for you?

Come visit us at Infinity Sports Institute in our Brickell Location (42 SW 6^th ST). Click Here to Schedule Your Free RockTape Session!

About Infinity Sports Institute

Infinity Sports Institute is dedicated in optimizing the human experience through sports science, sports medicine and technology. We believe Physical, Mental and Social components are pillars to optimizing the human experience.

For all your performance, recovery, rehab and consultant needs, make sure to contact us!

Contact

Infinitysi.com

info@infinitysi.com

305.423.8242

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Running: Stretching To Improve Your Running Pt.1

Stretching To Improve Your Running Pt.1

For years now, people and professionals have been advocates of stretching before an exercise routine or a physical event, but we have noticed that many recreational athletes make the same mistake over and over again, when it comes to stretching in general.

Should I stretch before running?

Here is what we typically see:

Athlete 1: Does 10 static stretches for 2 reps holding 30 seconds each and then runs all out

Athlete 2: Does yoga any chance they get since it will make them more flexible and “prevent” them from getting tight.

By now you’re probably wondering “what I’m getting at?”. We are not against stretching before a run, if it’s done correctly!

Physiologically speaking, certain performance goals require a specific amount of stiffness and is quite normal in athletes. For those aiming to hit new speeds or to produce power, stiffness is needed. Let’s try a quick activity to understand the importance of stiffness in performance.

Take a rubber band and hold it at both ends so that it is loose and has no tension, pull it lightly.

Now do the same thing but this time stretch the rubber band so that it has tension, now pull it down the middle.

Which of the two methods had a good return of power? The one with tension, right? Our muscles have the same properties. Without the proper tension throughout a motion the less amount of force a person will be able to produce or absorb; leading to a weaker, slower movement and higher risk of injury.

How Should I stretch before running?

Don’t get me wrong, I’m not telling you to not stretch. We still require good range of motion to perform proper technique and prevent injuries. What I’m saying is to change from excessive static stretching to pre exercise dynamic stretching instead.

One study by Zourdos¹ found a significant, similar increase in flexibility in static stretching and dynamic stretching in endurance runners; but there was a significant decrease in performance in the statically stretched athlete and an increase in performance in the dynamic stretch group. Performance was based on two things time to reach distance and time to exhaustion.

Other professionals will say the same. So what do we all agree on?

A 5-10 minute of a dynamic warm up of the necessary muscles for the sport or event will not only increase range of motion, but increase metabolites and neuromuscular junctions for the activity; meaning a better outcome and prevention of muscle strains.

For ideas or help on stretching follow us on Instagram or send us an email

Stay tuned for Pt.2

By: Eric Martinez Co-Founder | Clinical Performance Specialist

About Infinity Sports Institute

For all your performance, recovery, rehab and consultant needs, make sure to contact us!

Contact

infinitysi.com

info@infinitysi.com

305.423.8242

Follow us on:

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¹Effects of Dynamic Stretching on Energy Cost and Running Endurance Performance in Trained Male Runners

Zourdos, Michael C; Wilson, Jacob M; Sommer, Brian A; Lee, Sang-Rok; Park, Young-Min; Henning, Paul C; Panton, Lynn B; Kim, Jeong-Su

The Journal of Strength & Conditioning Research: February 2012 – Volume 26 – Issue 2 – p 335-341

doi: 10.1519/JSC.0b013e318225bbae

²The Effects of Static Stretching on Running Economy and Endurance Performance in Female Distance Runners During Treadmill Running

Mojock, Chris D¹; Kim, Jeong-Su¹; Eccles, David W²; Panton, Lynn B¹

The Journal of Strength & Conditioning Research: August 2011 – Volume 25 – Issue 8 – p 2170-2176

doi: 10.1519/JSC.0b013e3181e859db