PNF Flashcards
define proprioceptive
-stimulation of sensory receptors which provide information concerning body position and mvt
what does PNF stand for?
proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation
what is PNF?
a treatment technique focusing on stimulating proprioceptors using diagonal and rotational movement patterns that are functional and reflect everyday life
what are the aims of PNF?
-to facilitate and promote functional mvt through excitation and inhibition of appropriate muscle groups
-stimulate proprioceptive system as a basis for muscle re-education
-stretch muscles to stimulate activity of muscle spindles
what is the stretching technique used in PNF?
contraction of the muscle that is to be stretched for a few seconds
followed by stretching the muscle
what is reciprocal innervation?
-contraction of agonistic muscle is accompanied by a simultaneous inhibition of a antagonist ie reflex repsonse
eg knee jerk reflex
what is successive induction?
contraction of the antagonistic muscle immediately prior to the stimulation of the agonist
-this increases excitation of the agonist
what is irradiation?
-a principle of over flow
-occurs when either the strength or the number of stimuli is increased
what are the main principles of PNF?
-stretch
-patterns of movement
-timing
-manual contact
-maximal resistance
-irradiation / overflow
-verbal commands
-body position and mechanics
describe stretch in PNF
stretch the muscle to stimulate activity of muscle spindle
-the position of stretch (start position) - muscle is fully lengthened
describe patterns of movement in PNF
-do PROM in preparation
-diagonal functional movements
what is important to know about verbal commands from physio to the pt during PNF?
- needs to be short, clear and concise (giving lots of info in short way)
-need to say what to do, when to do it
-give feedback to pt
list examples of techniques In PNF
-hold relax
-contract relax
-rhythmic stabilisation
-rhythmic initiation
-repeated contraction
-repeated stretch
-slow reversals
what things can stretching techniques help with and what are examples of these techniques?
-ROM, relaxation and inhibition of muscle
-eg hold - relax, contract-relax
what are the upper extremity techniques for PNF?
D1- moving into flexion
D2- moving into extension
explain positioning for upper extremity D1
Upper Extremity D1 Flexion Starting Position
Shoulder extended, abducted, and internally rotated
Forearm pronated
Wrist ulnarly deviated
Fingers extended
-therapist place hand in pt palm
-moving to end position
Shoulder flexed, adducted, and externally rotated
Forearm supinated
Wrist radially deviated
Fingers flexed
