RHS 323: PNF

Ahmad Alghadir, M.S. Ph.D. P.T.

Room: 2071
aalghadir@hotmail.com
alghadir@ksu.edu.sa
Ahmad Alghadir M.S. Ph.D. P.T. 1
 Required text
• D.E. Voss, M.K. Ionta, B.J. Myers,
Proprioceptive Neuromuscular Facilitation:
Patterns and Techniques, Harper & Row
Publishers Inc. 3rd ed. 1985.

Ahmad Alghadir M.S. Ph.D. P.T. 2

 Terms
• Proprioceptive Neuromuscular Facilitation.
• Proprioceptive Facilitation Techniques.
• Neuromuscular Rehabilitation.

Ahmad Alghadir M.S. Ph.D. P.T. 3

 History
• 1950s.
• Originator: a clinical neurophysiologist
named Herman Kabat, M.D. Ph.D.

Ahmad Alghadir M.S. Ph.D. P.T. 4

 Definitions
• “Facilitation means: 1) the promotion or
hastening of any natural process; the
reverse of inhibition; 2) specifically, the
effect produced in nerve tissue by the
passage of an impulse; the resistance of
the nerve is diminished so that a second
application of the stimulus evokes the
reaction more easily.”

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• “Proprioceptive means: receiving
stimulation within the tissues of the body.”
• Neuromuscular: pertains to the nerves and
muscles.

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• “PNF may be defined as: methods of
promoting or hastening the response of
the neuromuscular mechanism through
stimulation of the proprioceptors.”

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 Principles
• Techniques of PNF are similar to normal
functional patterns of motions because
they are related to normal responses of
the neuromuscular mechanism.

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• “The normal neuromuscular mechanism is
capable of a wide range of motor activities
within the limits of the anatomical
structure, the developmental level, and
inherent and previously learned
neuromuscular responses.”

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• “The innumerable combinations of motion
available to the mature, normal subject in
meeting the demands of life have been
acquired through a well-established
developmental pattern and many learning
situations requiring physical effort and
skill.”

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• The normal neuromuscular mechanism
becomes integrated and efficient at
subconscious level without awareness of
individual muscle action, reflex activity,
and a multitude of other
neurophysiological reactions.

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• “Variations occur in relation to
coordination, strength, rate of movement,
and endurance, but these variations do not
prevent adequate response to the ordinary
demands of life.”

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• Deficient neuromuscular mechanism - due
to faulty development, trauma, or disease
of the nervous or the musculoskeletal
systems – is inadequate to meet the
demands of life.

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• “Deficiencies present themselves in terms
of limitation of movement as evidenced by
weakness, incoordination, adaptive
shortening or immobility of joints, muscle
spasm, or spasticity.”

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• “Specific demands placed by the physical
therapist have a facilitating effect upon the
patient’s neuromuscular mechanism.”
• “The facilitating effect is the means used
by the physical therapist to reverse the
limitations of the patient.”

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 The method
• Techniques of PNF are diagonal and spiral
in character.

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• “Techniques of PNF are used to place
specific demands in order to secure a
desired response.”
• Techniques of PNF are used as means of
accelerating the learning process as well
as improving strength and balance.

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