I have recently finished a 3-month residency in Proprioceptive Neuromuscular Facilitation (PNF) at Kaiser Permanente in Vallejo to further assist the neuromusculoskeletal needs of patients in Napa Valley.

Well-established basic principles of PNF like the utilization of joint receptors, appropriate tactile input and resistance, stretch stimulation, normal timing, and irradiation of muscle chains in appropriate developmental positions and patterns play a large part in the link between tissue level changes and person-level performance.

PNF has been proven to be an effective component of treatment for various orthopedic and neurological dysfunctions since the 1940’s. It was originally based on neurophysiological principles and translated into practice by Maggy Knott PT and Herman Kabat MD. Strategic demands placed on the individual, elicits their potential which is specific, purposeful and directed toward a functional goal. Each component contributes to recruitment of efficient motor performance.

PNF maintains focus on what an individual can do, instead of what they can’t do while assisting with movements that are specific, purposeful and meaningful to the patient. It uses stronger components to strengthen weaker components to promote motor learning, decrease pain and improve function. It facilitates a maximal response of optimal quality which has been found to be the most effective way of increasing motor and sensory awareness. Repetition of this response is varied in context in order to retrain motor learning with alternating activity to reduce fatigue.

Research has shown that intensive rehabilitation produces more effective outcomes than less intensive approaches. Well-integrated sensory input creates the ability to sustain asymptomatic exertion during training. In turn, this provides the greatest opportunity to improve power, endurance, coordination, balance and optimal function of the neuromuscular mechanism for optimal recovery.

For more information regarding PNF and the International Proprioceptive Neuromuscular Facilitation Association, please click on the link below.