Locatelli Rao, PT, DPT, OCS, PRC

A process, from someone with 25 years in the clinic.  Think of it as a road trip:

1. We determine your Point A

2. We decide on a fair and reasonable Point B (it’s a process, not a miracle)

3. We use treatment and exercise to get you from A to B

If you get to Point B at your next visit, we continue the process to Point C, and so on.

If you’re still stuck at Point A, we continue with thorough, diligent, physical detective work.

The evaluation starts with your intake form.  Your first visit is an interview; together we’ll discuss your history, your symptoms and your goals.  From there I’ll watch you move and perform hands-on testing to figure out the WHY.

During each session you’ll notice the same, consistent operating procedure:

1. Test

2. Intervene

3. Retest

And we continue this process until we get you to Point Z.

Because I am brutally honest.  Mostly with myself, but also with my patients.  That is why:

I don’t deal with insurance – they don’t care about the patient or the provider.

I don’t have employees – I would rather read than plan a staff meeting.

I have dedicated the last 10 years of my career to the intense study of Postural Restoration and became a credentialed provider (PRC) in 2021.

I created the Efficient and Effective seminars.

I’ve spent an entire career scrutinizing all the tools of this trade.  The models and methodologies, tests, manual techniques, exercises and modalities.  My toolbox is full of tools that have earned their place.

Yes.  How much and to what extent, I won’t know until I actually interview and evaluate you.  I say “Yes” confidently because after 25 years of clinical practice, there are a few common denominators that everyone can benefit from.

No.  Once again, the insurance companies do not care about you or me – I just want to help you to the best of my abilities and not let anyone else interfere with or dictate the process.

I offer 1- and 2-hour sessions.  My fee schedule is $450 per hour so the 1-hour sessions are $450 and the 2-hour sessions are $900.

Most people are fine with the 1-hour Initial Evaluation.  I would recommend the 2-Hour appointment if:

You are traveling from far away and want to get the most out of your travel time.

You have seen multiple providers without much improvement.  I hate the phrase “complicated patient” but that is the

You want to be “seen” and “heard”.

You want to minimize the chances of the session being “rushed”.

I don’t know and won’t know.  Human bodies, brains and personas are complicated and can be difficult to predict.

I see a vast majority of my patients once every 2 weeks; this is the typical schedule for a person who has to balance work, school, family, kids, hobbies, life.

Some patients I see more frequently, especially early on in their program, and others come in semi-regularly (quarterly, annually) and others I see on an as-needed basis.

Yes and Yes.

Yes

Loose fitting, athletic wear.  The more of you I can see and have access to the less I have to guess.

There is plenty of parking and it is free, but at the same time there are a lot of trainers and clients that use the facility I’m in.  Please get here early so you can get a parking spot.

Download my free E-Book

I have compiled my decades of learning and experience into an easy to follow E-Book that will help breakdown some core concepts and demystify the road to recovery.

Browse My Digital Library

I have built a digital library full of learning resources for patients to increase their knowledge and make lasting treatment a reality or something profound and exciting.

Postural Restoration is a physical medicine approach that is based off anatomical and neurological asymmetries, the polyarticular chain of muscles that are influenced by these asymmetries and the postural adaptations that occur because of these asymmetries.

The Postural Restoration Institute (PRI) was established in 2000 to explore and explain the science of Postural Restoration.

Interdisciplinary Integration

Dental Integration

Your bite (also known as “occlusion”), jaw position and posture are deeply connected.  When the teeth cannot find a stable, balanced relationship, the body often compensates through the neck, thorax, or pelvis.

I collaborate closely with Dr. Anh Ho, DDS, who is a PRI-minded dentist, to integrate carefully designed occlusal orthotics (splints) with a PRI treatment program.  This partnership helps restore positioning of the head, neck and body so that changes in your body can be attained and maintained.

This collaboration may be especially helpful if:
- You have a history of orthodontics (braces, Invisalign), missing teeth or significant bite changes, clenching, grinding, airway-related concerns linked to posture
- Difficulty achieving or maintaining neck, thoracic or pelvic neutrality.

Visual Integration

Your visual system is one of the most powerful influences on posture and movement.  What the eyes see, how well the eyes work together, and how the brain processes this information – directly affects balance, breathing and muscle tension and tone.  When visual input is unbalanced (over corrected or under corrected), the body often compensates through the neck, thorax, or pelvis.

I collaborate closely with Dr. Judy Cao, OD, FAAO, FOVDR, who is a PRI-minded neuro-optometrist, to refine visual input (through specialized prescription strategies) in coordination with a PRI treatment program.  This partnership helps the brain better integrate visual and ground information so that changes in your body can be attained and maintained.

This collaboration may be especially helpful if:
- You have a history of visual challenges, progressive lenses (glasses) or multifocal contact lenses or LASIK.
- You are having difficulty attaining or maintaining neck, thoracic or pelvic neutrality.

PRI (Hruska Clinic) Footwear and PRI Orthotics by Dr. Paul Coffin, DPM

Your feet are the foundation for postural balance and efficient movement.  How they contact the ground can influence the position and orientation of your pelvis, thorax and overall balance.  When foot mechanics limit the ability to sense the floor or shift weight efficiently, the body often compensates “upstream” at the pelvis, thorax, and even the neck and jaw.  These compensations can hinder or limit a PRI program.

I take a systematic approach to footwear:

PRI (Hruska Clinic) Shoe Fitting

We will evaluate you and fit you into a PRI-friendly shoe.  The proper shoe allows for more appropriate sensory awareness through the heel, arch and forefoot.

PRI Orthotics by Dr. Paul Coffin, DPM

When indicated, I will take precise impressions to collaborate on custom PRI orthotics.  These orthotics are highly contoured, non-compressible yet flexible (not rigid) with PRI principles in their design.

This collaboration may be especially helpful if:
- You have to wear a shoe that is not PRI friendly (work boots, dress shoes, sport cleats)
- You are having difficulty attaining or maintaining pelvic neutrality after upright activities