Proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation (PNF) stretching techniques

Question 1

PNF =

Answer 1

Active stretching, or facilitative stretching

Integrate active ms contractions into stretching maneuvers to facilitate or inhibit ms activation

Increases the likelihood that the muscle to be lengthened remains relaxed as it is stretched = improves ms flexibility and ROM

Question 2

Autogenic inhibition =

Answer 2

occurs in a contracted or stretched, it is a reflex of sudden relaxation of muscle upon development of high tension

self-induced, inhibitory, negative feedback lengthening reaction that protects against muscle tear

Question 3

Reciprocal inhibition =

Answer 3

describes the process of muscles on one side of a joint relaxing to accommodate contraction on the other side of that joint

Question 4

PNF theory =

Answer 4

when ms fibers are reflexively inhibited, there is less resistance to elongation by the contractile elements of the muscle

techniques are designed to effect only the contractile elements of the ms (actin and myosin protein) not the connective tissue in and around the shortened ms

techniques require normal innervation and voluntary control of the limbs, so are not effective in pts with CNS problems (spasticity or paralysis)

Question 5

Types of PNF stretching

Answer 5

Hold relax (HR)

Agonist contraction (AC)

Hold relax with agonist contraction

Question 6

Hold relax

Answer 6

Range limiting ms is passively stretched = 10 seconds

Pt then performs an end range isometric contraction of the “tight” range limiting ms = 5-10 seconds

Followed immediately by a passive stretch into the new range of motion = 10 seconds

Question 7

Agonist contraction

Answer 7

Pt concentrically shortens the agonist ms, (ms opposite the range limiting one) and then holds the position for 3-6 seconds

PT then passively stretches the limited ms = 10 seconds

When the agonist is contracting, the antagonist is reciprocally inhibited

Question 8

Hold relax with agonist contraction

Answer 8

Aka “slow reversal hold”

Move limb to the pt of tissue resistance, perform the hold relax maneuver, then immediately follow up with agonist contraction