
PRIME Week
Read below to see what happens during a typical week at PRIMEClick Through to See What Happens on a Typical Initial Week at PRIME

Day One: Dental Impressions
To start your PRIME week the first appointment you will have will be with at SMILE Innovations dentistry, to get impressions of your teeth. A model of your teeth will be built that we will use to manufacture you oral splint with. This process needs to be started as early as possible to ensure we get the splint back to you as soon as we possibly can. This appointment should not take more than 30 minutes.

Day One: Clinical Integration Assessment
On the first day you are here your Clincial Integration Specialist/Case managing Physical Therapist, will spend 1-2 hours with you reviewing your history, obtaining some objective data, and finalizing which specialists you will need to see based on those findings. Commonly, shoe recommendations and orthotic needs will be made at this session.

Day One: Vision Assessement and Treatment
Following comprehensive assessment by your Clinical Integration specialist you will see The PRIME Vision team for a 1 hour appointment. Through a consistent, progressive assessment by both the PT and OD, lenses will be prescribed to automatically change the way you recruit muscle to function in an upright stance in an optimal postural position. This optimal position will allow the greatest freedom of movement with the greatest sense or awareness of this position (Neutrality). How this eye prescription fits in with the shoe, and oral appliance recommendations will be discussed. Some physical activity recommendations may be initiated at this stage as well.

Day One: PT Visit
On the first day following your PRIME vision assessment you will often meet for an hour with your Case managing Physical Therapist who will visit with you to answer any initial questions you may have and discuss how and when to utilize the orthotics you will be given. If time permits some instruction in base-line activity recommendations will begin. On occasion, particularly if you have not been seen by a Postural Restoration Institute® (PRI) trained therapist, this initial visit with the PT is before the Vision assessment to assist us in gaining some more objective data about you and to answer any questions about the process you may have. This visit will lay the roadmap for the activity recommendations for the rest of the week.

Day 1 : Dental Bite Registration
Towards the end of the first day after you have seen your PT and the optometrist you will meet with our Dental team at the Hruska Clinic for a short visit for another tooth impression. This impression (the bite registration) is different from the first in that it records how your teeth fit together. The way your teeth fit affects and is affected by the way the rest of oyur body is positioned. Now that we have an optimal position of your head and neck (from the glasses) we want to make sure the dental splint is made to match this position. This is why this piece is not done at the first appointment. We want to make the splint to match your new postural position not your old position. One of the Clinical Integration Specialists will be present at this visit to ensure the bite registration is taken with your body in the correct position using your new glasses prescription and other tools as needed.

Day 2: Physical Therapy Treatment
Typically you will have up to 2 hours of time on Day 2 with the Physical Therapist. At this time the majority of the activity and exercise recommendations will be given. You will receive instruction in, and assistance with performance of each exercise recommended until you feel comfortable with them. Handouts and/or videos of each exercise can be given to you to assist with remembering how to perform each activity. Continued education in use of glasses and other orthotics will be reinforced as well. Your PT will also instruct you in progression ideas so you have exercises to progress to as you develop strength and endurance to perform the initial set of activities. As always ask questions of your PT/Clinical Integration Specialist as needed.

Day 3 : Podiatry / Foot Impressions taken

Day 3: Dental oral appliance seating appointment
On day three, one of the Clinical Integration Specialists will meet you at the dental office where you will receive the oral appliance manufactured based on the tooth models from day 1 and the bite registration taken on day 2. As the Dentist ensures proper fit and function of the appliance, the Clinical Specialist will ensure it matches the position of neutrality that was established on day with with PRI Vision. This co-treatment ensures that all of your orthotics will work as a team to give us the best ability to maximize our outcomes with these appliances. This teamwork is what makes our program unique and successful.
(This picture is a sample splint and not a representative of all splints used)

Day 3: Physical Therapy /Clinical Integration visit
2 more hours are usually scheduled with your Physical Therapist to ensure all questions are answered and you feel confident with performance and progression of therapeutic activities prescribed. The opportunity to fine tune your technique and ask any questions in regards to the activities is encouraged. Time is taken at this visit to ensure orthotic wear and use is understood and the patient is comfortable integrating this program into their daily life including adjunct PT and non-PT related activities and treatments. By the end of this session you should feel confident with when and why to use each of your orthotics, what activities to begin doing as well as what activities to progress toward as you get stronger. We will also try to give you ideas of what your progress should look like in terms of improved function, return to prior activities, and when/if you may need to return for follow-up treatment. Summaries can be given or sent to you at anytime. We encourage each patient to feel confident and ready to engage your program before leaving Lincoln.
Day 3: Wrap up with Patient Care Coordinator
On the last day, an optional wrap up session with one of our Patient Care Coordinators may be set up. This is a great time for both sides to make sure that all questions and concerns have been addressed and gives you a chance to decompress your experience with someone who has been on both sides of the table. Our coordinators will be able to answer questions and facilitate any communication needed. If you would like to provide some advice or testimonials to future patients we would love to get your feedback so we can continue to make our program better. Thank you for any and all information you may have for us.
Day 4: (If needed) Discharge appointment with PT
Occasionally a 4th day is warranted if it is felt additional time is needed with any of the above specialists. Most often this is with the Physical Therapist to make sure all of the pieces are in place and you as the patient feel confident with returning home. This visit is decided prior to coming to PRIME and will be utilized only if needed or requested by you the patient.

Telehealth Follow-up
Approximately 2 weeks following your trip to PRIME if it is possible we like to schedule a Telehealth Follow-up with you to answer any questions as you have gotten back to your “real life” in terms of how to utilize the orthotic tools you received at PRIME and performing your exercises or how and when to progress them. This initial telehealth follow-up is included in your PRIME week costs. Additional follow-up sessions via telehealth may be done at a discounted cost to you as a PRIME patient.

Dr Hohl - Records and X-rays
If deemed necessary before you come to PRIME, or potentially on return visits, you may be seen at Dr. Rebecca Hohls office. Dr Hohl is an Orthodontist that we work with when movement of teeth is a potential need. At this appointment you will receive imaging of your teeth and x-rays of your head and neck to assist our PRIME team in objectively seeing if there are any cervical spine, bite, or airway issues that may need to be addressed. If any orthodontic consultation is needed, Dr. Hohl will be our lead practitioner to assist with this. Managing orthodontia from a distance is difficult and we often recommend it be done nearer to your home, but having a consultation here can be a valuable tool.
(This appointment is based on each patients individual needs, as recommended by the PRIME team, and is not typical for everyone)
See What Happens on a Typical RETURN Week to PRIME

Prior to returning to Lincoln
Prior to coming back to PRIME we will collect information from you, and any therapists or practitioners you are working with to ensure we make the most of your return trip. It may be good to do a telehealth session with your case manager to discuss what sort of things need to be addressed. Contact our PRIME Patient Coordinator to allow us to assist you in getting all needed information to us.

Day 1: Vision

Day 1: Physical Therapy visit
Following your visit with the PRIME Vision team a session with your PT will occur to help instruct you in new movements or activities that you will be able to progress to or emphasize. There will be less focus on the wear schedule as you will be used to that and you can focus on activity recommendations.

Day 2: Splint adjustment
Day 2: Physical Therapy visit (if needed)
