Proprioceptive Neuromuscular Facilitation (PNF) Flashcards
What is neuromuscular facilitation?
promoting or encouraging normal activity of the neuromuscular system
What is proprioception?
pertaining to the proprioceptors/sensory inputs
What is PNF?
-A form of therapeutic exercise
-Movement with a purpose
-Focus on optimal afferent (sensory) input
-Utilizes tactile, verbal, and visual cues
What does PNF promote?
Optimal neuromuscular activity
What is continuous sensory input provided by?
-Manual contacts to assist, resist, block, or guide motion
-Verbal guidance to cue, coach, and enforce
-Visual feedback
Who created PNF techniques?
-Dr. Kabat
-Maggie Knott
-Dorothy Voss
Why was PNF initially used and what is it used for now?
-It was initially used in patients with polio who had neurological muscle weakness
-Now it is used in rehab for many injuries
Why is PNF utilized?
To improve strength, neuromuscular control, increase flexibility, range of motion, and facilitate stability
What are indicators for PNF?
-To decrease abnormal muscle tone
-To promote optimal, coordinated movement
-To increase strength and endurance
-To stretch tight muscles
What is PNF theory?
-The muscular system is comprised of muscle groups classified as:
-Agonist:produce movement
-Antagonist: relax to allow movement
-Supports: stabilize the trunk and proximal extremities
-Fixators: holds bones steady
-The muscle groups in specific movement patterns must contract in a certain order or sequence
-Contractions are static or dynamic
What is the goal of PNF?
To strengthen gross motor patterns instead of specific muscle actions
What does facilitation of PNF do?
Creates an increase in excitability of motor neurons
What does inhibition of PNF do?
Creates a decrease in excitability of motor neurons which leads to spasticity or tightness of muscles
What is the first historical principle of PNF?
Developmental activities are useful as a bases for treatment of patients of all ages
-Subconscious movement or motor programs such as rolling, walking, or balancing
-Use of such functional activities as therapeutic exercise is beneficial after complex or simple injuries
What is the second historical principle of PNF?
The sensory-reflex mechanisms underlying normal movement are recognized as potent forces influencing movement and posture
-Sensory stimulation has a powerful impact on promoting optimal movement patterns, and should be used for ther ex (ex: protective withdrawal)
-Avenues of sensory facilitation used by the therapist (hand contact, use of voice, use of breathing, pt’s use of eyes)
What is the third historical principle of PNF?
Coordinated, alternating movements between antagonist muscle groups are essential in normal function
-Normal movement requires a balance of strength as well as coordination between muscle groups
-Dynamic and static reversing contractions should be incorporated into optimal ther ex
What is the fourth historical principle of PNF?
Utilize known principles of motor learning in ther ex
-Length tension
-Neuro-irradation (activating weak muscles using surround strong ones)
-Successive induction
-Reciprocal inhibition
-Hierarchy of motor learning goals
What is the fifth historical principle of PNF?
Normal functional movement does not occur in isolated planar motions, but in combined diagonal activities
How many pairs of diagonal patterns are there for upper and lower extremities?
There are two pairs of diagonal patterns for UE and LE and each have a flexion/extension portion
-Diagonal 1 (D1)
-Diagonal 2 (D2)
What are the movements for D1 of the shoulder?
-Flexion: flexion, adduction, external rotation
-Extension: extension, abduction, internal rotation
