PNF

Proprioceptive Neuromuscular Facilitation

Proprioceptive Neuromuscular Facilitation (PNF) is a physiotherapeutic treatment method based on neurophysiological principles and used in patients of all medical disciplines where movement behavior is pathologically altered or restricted by illness, injury, surgery, or degeneration.

The term proprioceptive refers to the unconscious perception of movements and position of the body in space, in which sensory receptors in muscles, tendons, and joint capsules transmit information regarding posture and movement to the central nervous system, where it is further processed. The word neuromuscular involves the coordinated interaction of nerves and muscles. Facilitation means increased ease in the initiation and stimulation of movements.

Neurophysiology

In physiotherapy, PNF is mainly used for neurological diseases but also plays a crucial role in orthopedic and sports medicine disorders and dysfunctions. This treatment concept is based on a holistic approach that respects the patients with their physical limitations and deficits but wants to make the most of their restricted potential and enhance it positively despite illness or injury.

The optimization and economization of movements play a central role in this therapy. PNF takes advantage of the fact that our complex, physiological, and three-dimensional movement patterns have been stored in our central nervous system, especially in the cerebellum and cerebral cortex, since our early childhood development. By adequate manual/therapeutic stimulation of the sensory receptors in our tendons, muscles and joints, and in close interaction with the nervous system, these stored movement patterns can be retrieved and promoted.

Therapy Contents

The treatment usually takes place on a treatment couch or mat (mat program) and occurs in different positions, such as in a side-lying, quadruped, sitting, or standing position, to name a few. The PNF therapist uses various techniques to perform three-dimensional, spiral, and diagonally oriented combination movements on the extremities or the trunk of the patient.

The treatment objectives for PNF therapy can be summarized as follows:​

• Normalization of muscle tone

• Reduction of existing spasticity

• Activation of weak or (partially) paralyzed muscles

• Reduction of pathological movement patterns

• Restoration of physiological and functional movement patterns

• Improvement of coordination, stability, strength, and endurance

• Development of mobility and agility