P-DTR is a precise neurological assessment and treatment method that identifies exactly which receptors are causing your symptoms and corrects them. You feel the change immediately.
Specialist P-DTR treatment at Breakthrough Pain & Performance. Based in Shiremoor, Newcastle.
| 17 years clinical experience | 5-star rated (30+ reviews) | Free taster session | Free parking on site | Sessions available this week |
P-DTR stands for Proprioceptive Deep Tendon Reflex. It was developed by Dr José Palomar, an orthopaedic surgeon who recognised that many musculoskeletal problems are not caused by tissue damage but by dysfunction in how the nervous system processes information from receptors throughout the body.
The central insight of P-DTR is that your brain makes decisions based on receptor input. It receives information from receptors in your muscles, tendons, joints, skin, eyes and vestibular system. Based on this information, it decides how to coordinate movement, how much tension to create and whether pain is needed.
When receptors function correctly, they send clear, accurate information. Your brain makes appropriate decisions. Movement is smooth, efficient and pain-free.
When receptors malfunction, they send unclear or inaccurate information. Your brain makes decisions based on faulty data. The result can be pain, muscle weakness, excessive tension, restricted movement, coordination problems or instability.
P-DTR provides precise methods to test which receptors are malfunctioning and to correct them. Rather than treating symptoms, it addresses the neurological cause of dysfunction.
P-DTR assessment uses manual muscle testing as a window into nervous system function. When a receptor is malfunctioning, it affects the muscles it relates to. By testing muscle strength and response, we can identify receptor dysfunction.
The assessment process works by challenging receptors while testing muscles. When we stimulate a receptor that is causing dysfunction, the muscle test changes. A strong muscle becomes weak, or a weak muscle becomes strong. This tells us exactly which receptor is the problem.
Once we identify the faulty receptor, we reset it using specific inputs. These inputs might be pressure, stretch, vibration, position or other stimuli that the receptor responds to. The correction takes seconds and is completely painless.
After the correction, we retest immediately. In most cases, the muscle test normalises. The receptor is now sending accurate information. Your brain no longer needs to create the protective or dysfunctional response.
This process of test, identify, correct, retest is fundamental to P-DTR. We do not guess what might be wrong. We test systematically. We do not assume the correction worked. We prove it with retesting.
Located within your muscles, these receptors detect length and rate of change. When they malfunction, your brain receives inaccurate information about muscle position. This can cause inappropriate tension, weakness or pain.
Located where muscles attach to tendons, these receptors detect tension. When they malfunction, your brain may inhibit muscle strength or create excessive guarding to protect against perceived overload.
Located throughout your joints, these receptors detect position, pressure and movement limits. When they malfunction, you may experience pain, instability or restricted range.
Located in your skin, these receptors detect touch, pressure, stretch, temperature and vibration. When they malfunction, particularly around scars, they can drive pain and dysfunction in areas that seem unrelated.
Receptors that detect potential tissue damage. When they become sensitised, they may signal pain when no damage is occurring.
Often, multiple receptor types are involved in a pattern of dysfunction. P-DTR allows us to test complex combinations and address them systematically.
P-DTR can address any condition driven by receptor dysfunction. In practice, this includes a wide range of pain and movement problems.
Chronic pain, acute pain, back pain, neck pain, shoulder pain, hip pain, knee pain, foot and ankle pain, headaches and migraines. When pain is driven by receptor dysfunction rather than tissue damage, P-DTR can identify and correct the cause.
Restricted range, muscle tightness, weakness, coordination problems, instability. These are all controlled by your nervous system and can be addressed when the underlying receptor dysfunction is identified.
Strength deficits, asymmetries, plateaus, recurring niggles. Athletes often have neurological inefficiencies that limit performance. P-DTR can identify and correct them.
Injuries and surgeries disrupt receptors. Even after tissue healing, receptor dysfunction can persist. P-DTR can address residual dysfunction that is maintaining symptoms.
Most treatments focus on the area that hurts. They work on the muscles, mobilise the joints, reduce inflammation. This can help when the problem is genuinely in the treated area.
P-DTR recognises that symptoms often arise from dysfunction elsewhere. The area that hurts is where you feel the effect, not necessarily where the cause is located. A shoulder problem might be driven by receptors in the neck. A back problem might originate in the foot. A headache might involve the vestibular system.
By testing receptors throughout the body, P-DTR finds the true source of dysfunction. By correcting that source, it resolves symptoms that persist despite treatment focused on the painful area.
P-DTR is also different in that it proves results immediately. We do not tell you the treatment worked and ask you to wait and see. We retest after every correction. You feel the change in the room. Muscles that were weak become strong. Range that was restricted improves. Pain that was present reduces.
This immediate verification means you know quickly whether the approach is working for your problem.
Your session begins with a detailed history. We want to understand your symptoms, when they started, how they have progressed, what has been tried, and any relevant past events like injuries, surgeries or accidents.
We then conduct systematic testing. We assess muscle function throughout your body, looking for patterns of dysfunction. We challenge different receptor types to identify which are involved.
When we find a receptor fault, we correct it using gentle, specific inputs. The correction takes seconds. We retest immediately and you feel the change.
We continue this process throughout the session, addressing the various dysfunctions we identify. Some may directly relate to your main complaint. Others may be contributing factors or related patterns.
At the end of your session, we explain what we found and what we changed. We discuss whether further sessions are likely needed and what realistic expectations are for your situation.
“I was amazed at how precise the testing was. Sam identified exactly which receptor was causing my problem and fixed it in seconds. I felt the change immediately.”
— Client, Newcastle
“Years of shoulder pain and countless treatments. P-DTR found the actual cause and resolved it. I still find it hard to believe how quickly it worked.”
— Client, North Tyneside
“The fact that every change is tested and proven was what convinced me. I did not have to take anyone’s word for it. I felt it myself.”
— Client, Whitley Bay
P-DTR identifies exactly which receptors are causing your symptoms and corrects them. You feel the change immediately. Every correction is proven with testing. Book a free taster session and experience how precise neurological assessment and treatment works. Based in Shiremoor, Newcastle. Serving North Tyneside and surrounding areas. Sessions available this week. Free parking on site.
