P.R.I.M.E. Performance Method ™

Move Better, Feel Better, Perform Better. At The Performance Lab, all of our Doctors of Physical Therapy are certified in the P.R.I.M.E. Performance Method ™, which is our signature treatment approach to reduce pain, improve mobility, and achieve optimal performance.

Image courtesy of Cleveland Clinic https://my.clevelandclinic.org/

P.R.I.M.E.™ stands for Precision Release of Intramuscular End Points. We define Intramuscular Endpoints (IMEs) as any abnormal tissue that forms within skeletal muscle, which is composed of millions of tiny fibers (myofibrils) that run parallel to each other and work in unison with nerves and physiological chemical receptors/transmitters to create an effective contraction. With an IME, there is essentially a road block within the muscle causing a disruption of this process. This affects the muscle’s ability to contract and move fully throughout its optimal range of motion. In turn, the muscle becomes weak or inhibited and stops working at its full potential. 

Most commonly, these “end points” are formed by repetitive stress and/or trauma to the tissue, resulting in muscle knots/trigger points or scar tissue build-up. Regardless of whether or not this occurs from acute injury, chronic pain, and/or poor movement patterns, it results in pain, inflammation, and undue stress on the surrounding joints. Over time, this leads to persistent deficits in power, endurance, mobility, and neuromuscular control, limiting a person’s ability to reach peak performance.

To put it simply, think of an IME like a double knot in your shoe lace. If you were trying to untie the knot, you would never pull on both ends of the shoe lace because it would just make the knot tighter. Similarly, if you have an IME (or “knot”) in your muscle and you try to stretch it, you will not be able to achieve improvement in muscle length, which is needed in order for the muscle to fire at its complete potential. With ourP.R.I.M.E. Performance Method ™, we are “untying” the knots in your muscle to restore the natural process of a muscle contraction so that you are able to perform at your highest level.

The correct application of the P.R.I.M.E. Performance Method ™ combined with relevant therapeutic exercise has proven time and time again to be an effective means of reducing pain, restoring normal mechanics, and maximizing performance. Come experience the results for yourself today! We guarantee that you will walk out feeling better than when you walked in, or else your visit is on us!