RHS 323: PNF

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RHS 323 PNF

• Ahmad Alghadir, M.S. Ph.D. P.T.
• Room 2071
• aalghadir_at_hotmail.com
• alghadir_at_ksu.edu.sa

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Required text

• D.E. Voss, M.K. Ionta, B.J. Myers, Proprioceptive
  Neuromuscular Facilitation Patterns and
  Techniques, Harper Row Publishers Inc. 3rd ed.
  1985.

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Terms

• Proprioceptive Neuromuscular Facilitation.
• Proprioceptive Facilitation Techniques.
• Neuromuscular Rehabilitation.

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History

• 1950s.
• Originator a clinical neurophysiologist named
  Herman Kabat, M.D. Ph.D.

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Definitions

• Facilitation means 1) the promotion or
  hastening of any natural process the reverse of
  inhibition 2) specifically, the effect produced
  in nerve tissue by the passage of an impulse the
  resistance of the nerve is diminished so that a
  second application of the stimulus evokes the
  reaction more easily.

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• Proprioceptive means receiving stimulation
  within the tissues of the body.
• Neuromuscular pertains to the nerves and
  muscles.

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• PNF may be defined as methods of promoting or
  hastening the response of the neuromuscular
  mechanism through stimulation of the
  proprioceptors.

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Principles

• Techniques of PNF are similar to normal
  functional patterns of motions because they are
  related to normal responses of the neuromuscular
  mechanism.

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• The normal neuromuscular mechanism is capable of
  a wide range of motor activities within the
  limits of the anatomical structure, the
  developmental level, and inherent and previously
  learned neuromuscular responses.

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• The innumerable combinations of motion available
  to the mature, normal subject in meeting the
  demands of life have been acquired through a
  well-established developmental pattern and many
  learning situations requiring physical effort and
  skill.

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• The normal neuromuscular mechanism becomes
  integrated and efficient at subconscious level
  without awareness of individual muscle action,
  reflex activity, and a multitude of other
  neurophysiological reactions.

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• Variations occur in relation to coordination,
  strength, rate of movement, and endurance, but
  these variations do not prevent adequate response
  to the ordinary demands of life.

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• Deficient neuromuscular mechanism - due to faulty
  development, trauma, or disease of the nervous or
  the musculoskeletal systems is inadequate to
  meet the demands of life.

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• Deficiencies present themselves in terms of
  limitation of movement as evidenced by weakness,
  incoordination, adaptive shortening or immobility
  of joints, muscle spasm, or spasticity.

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• Specific demands placed by the physical
  therapist have a facilitating effect upon the
  patients neuromuscular mechanism.
• The facilitating effect is the means used by the
  physical therapist to reverse the limitations of
  the patient.

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The method

• Techniques of PNF are diagonal and spiral in
  character.

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• Techniques of PNF are used to place specific
  demands in order to secure a desired response.
• Techniques of PNF are used as means of
  accelerating the learning process as well as
  improving strength and balance.