Proprioceptive Neuromuscular Facilitation (PNF) Techniques in

Rehabilitation

Chapter 14

IntroductionThe method:

Patient contract isometrically resulted in increased response of the agonist, this was named rhythmic stabilization. Following using this stabilization, it was found slow reversal technique, alternate resistance to isotonic contractions of antagonist and agonist also

had a facilitating effect .

Introduction

Definitions of PNF:Proprioceptive, means receiving stimulationwithin the tissues of the body.

Neuromuscular, means pertaining to the nerves and muscles.

Facilitation, means the effect produced in nerve tissue by the passage of an impulse.

Introduction

Definitions of PNF:

Therefore, PNF can be defined as, methods of promoting or hastening the response of the neuromuscular mechanism through stimulation of the proprioceptors.

IntroductionTo perform PNF exercises, it is important to remember the following principles:

• Patient must be taught the pattern. • Have the patient watch the moving limb moved

passively. • The patient must give proper verbal command.• Manual contact with appropriate pressure is very

important.

IntroductionPrinciples :

•Contraction of the muscle group is facilitated by hand placement. •Apply maximal resistance throughout ROM. •Resistance will change. •Rotation of movement will change throughout ROM. •Distal movement should occur first .

Introduction

Plan of volume:1.Patterns of motion2.Various techniques used to promote the

desired response3.Application of the method for improvement of

vital and related functions.4.Suggestions for evaluation of the patient

performance and for planning treatment program.

PNF Strengthening Diagonal Patterns

•D1 Flexion Upper Extremity

Taken from Prentice, Rehabilitation Techniques in Sports Medicine, 3rd ed

D1 Flexion Upper ExtremityJoint Specific Movements

ShoulderFlexion

External Rotation

Adduction

ForearmSupination

WristRadial Deviation

FingersFlexion

PNF Strengthening Diagonal Patterns

•D1 Extension Upper Extremity

Taken from Prentice, Rehabilitation Techniques in Sports Medicine, 3rd ed

D1 Extension Upper ExtremityJoint Specific Movements

ShoulderExtension

Internal Rotation

Abduction

ForearmPronation

WristUlnar Deviation

FingersExtension

PNF Strengthening Diagonal Patterns

•D2 Flexion Upper Extremity

Taken from Prentice, Rehabilitation Techniques in Sports Medicine, 3rd ed

D2 Flexion Upper ExtremityJoint Specific Movements

ShoulderFlexion

External Rotation

Abduction

ForearmSupination

WristRadial Deviation

FingersExtension

PNF Strengthening Diagonal Patterns

•D2 Extension Upper Extremity

Taken from Prentice, Rehabilitation Techniques in Sports Medicine, 3rd ed

D2 Extension Upper ExtremityJoint Specific Movements

ShoulderExtension

Internal Rotation

Adduction

ForearmPronation

WristUlnar Deviation

FingersFlexion

PNF Strengthening Diagonal Patterns

•D1 Flexion Lower Extremity

Taken from Prentice, Rehabilitation Techniques in Sports Medicine, 3rd ed

D1 Flexion Lower ExtremityJoint Specific Movements

HipFlexion

Adduction

External Rotation

AnkleDorsiflexion

Inversion

ToesExtension

PNF Strengthening Diagonal Patterns

•D1 Extension Lower Extremity

Taken from Prentice, Rehabilitation Techniques in Sports Medicine, 3rd ed

D1 Extension Lower ExtremityJoint Specific Movements

HipExtension

Abduction

Internal Rotation

AnklePlanar Flexion

Eversion

ToesFlexion

PNF Strengthening Diagonal Patterns

•D2 Flexion Lower Extremity

Taken from Prentice, Rehabilitation Techniques in Sports Medicine, 3rd ed

D2 Flexion Lower ExtremityJoint Specific Movements

HipFlexion

Abduction

Internal Rotation

AnkleDorsiflexion

Eversion

ToesExtension

PNF Strengthening Diagonal Patterns

•D2 Extension Lower Extremity

Taken from Prentice, Rehabilitation Techniques in Sports Medicine, 3rd ed

D2 Extension Lower ExtremityJoint Specific Movements

HipExtension

Adduction

External Rotation

AnklePlantar Flexion

Inversion

ToesFlexion

Proprioceptive Training for upper Extremities

Types of exercises used for upper extremity proprioceptive training:

1 .Balance training. One major category of proprioceptive exercise is balance training. These exercises help to train the proprioceptive system in a mostly static activity. Activities or exercises in weight bearing using unstable supporting surface, profitter, swiss ball, balance board are example of

balance training in the upper extremity .

2 .Kinetic chain exercises . Open-chain manual resistance exercises with rhythmic stabilization are also considered proprioceptively enriched. In either case, resistance can be modified, depending on pain, as the patient progresses

Quadruped stabilization on a balance

Four closed-chain exercises have been describedto stimulate co-activation in the shoulder: push ups, horizontal abduction on a slide board, and tracing circular motions on a slide board with the dominant and non-dominant arms. These exercises ac commodate for the individual's tolerance to joint loads by progressing from a quadruped to a push-up

position

Wall push-ups are also useful and can be proprioceptively enhanced by having a physical therapist or resistance band provide resistance to the patient's back.

3 .Sport-specific maneuvers. Rehabilitation is incomplete until maneuvers specific to the sport and the athlete's position in the sport can be performed maximally and without pain or loss

of function .

Starting sport-specific maneuvers with weighted resistance (eg, swinging a weighted tennis racket or baseball bat), Functional positions, such as over head throwing, should be incorporated and are more sport-specific.

4 .PNF (Proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation): These techniques may be defined as methods of promoting or hastening the response of the neuromuscular mechanism through stimulation of the proprioceptors. Emphasis is placed on the application of maximal resistance through out the range of motion, using many combinations of motions in a pattern format. Motion is first performed in the strongest part of the range, with progression toward the weaker parts of the range of motion. The patterns used are spiral and diagonal in character and closely resemble the movements used in sports and in occupational

activities .

5 .Plyometrics. It is a quick powerful movement involving pre-stretching of a muscle, followed by a shortening cycle. The stretch shortening cycle occurs when elastic loading, through a quick eccentric muscular contraction, is followed by a

burst of concentric muscular contraction .

6 .Ballistic stretching uses the momentum of a moving body or a limb in an attempt to force it beyond its normal range of motion. This is stretching, or "warming up", by bouncing into (or out of) a stretched position, using the stretched muscles as a spring which pulls you

out of the stretched position .

Proprioceptive Training for Lower Extremities

Proprioceptive training improves a patient's static and dynamic equilibrium. The static proprioceptive re-education is begun when patients proceed to weight bearing without crutches and consists of six stages:

1-Recovery of sense of body position muscle contraction and joint movement.

2-Transition from bilateral to unilateral activities3-Transition from eyes-open to eyes-closed activities .

4-Transition from activities on a stable support, such as the ground, to unstable surfaces, such as a soft mattress, a trampoline and Freeman's boards, or more modern equipment, such as the kinesthetic ability trainer

5-Throwing and catching a football to take the patient's mind off active control of his balance.

6-Balance recovery exercises are carried out different joint positions to evoke different responses from the tendon and muscle receptors.

The dynamic proprioceptive re-education consists of seven stages:

1 .Slow exercises followed by quicker movement2 .Exercise with limited effort followed by exercise

requiring greater strength3 .Exercises requiring volition, followed by

exercisesdone freely

4 .Progress from walking to jogging 5 .Running and sprinting

6 .Jumping and changes of direction7 .Twirling and twisting around the injured or

operated knee

Balance and control proprioceptive exercise1    .Stand on one leg.

2. Stand on one leg with eyes closed. 3. Stand on one leg – throw and catch a ball. 4. Stand on one leg – bend and straighten knee    

5    .Stand on one leg- pick up item from floor   .

6    .Hold knee dip – throw and catch a ball .

7    .Stand on one leg – move other leg to side, front and back  .

8    .Push up onto toes (2 legs) and hold  .

9   .Push up onto toes with eyes closed   .

10   .Push back onto heels, balance and hold.

11   .Push up on toes on one leg.     

Walking proprioceptive exercises

13    .Walk forward along a straight line. 14. Walk on tip toes along straight line. 15. Walk backwards along straight line.16. Side step along straight line. 17. Walk sideways crossing one foot over other (Cariocas). 18. Walk fast in one direction, quickly changing

direction at intervals .

Running proprioceptive exercises

19    .Run fast in one direction. 20. Run backwards and do sidesteps. 21. Fast crossovers (Cariocas). 22. Run in figure of eight – make it smaller and smaller.    

23    .Hopping on spot. 24. Hop forwards and backwards – stop between hops. 25. Hop in zigzags. 26. Hop on and off step. 27. Do triple jump - run, hop, jump and land.