The PNF concept

Proprioreceptive Neuromuscular Facilitation

Treatment of a patient with hemiplegia after suffering basal ganglia haemorrhage.

The PNF concept is a functional treatment that mainly promotes the establishment of the movement sequences memorized in the central nervous system. It is therefore ideally suited for the treatment of neurological, orthopaedic and traumatological disorders.

The concept was developed by the American neurologist Hermann Kabat in cooperation with several physio therapists – also Maggie Knott – in the mid-Forties of the last century.

Then already the function was the central objective, especially walking as this only happens with the interplay of all parts of the body.

Via the nerve muscle connections the function of the spine is in direct connection with the head, shoulder joints, the arms, the pelvis and the legs.

The disorder of one factor affects the function of the whole motor function. That is why the disorder must not be treated as an isolated problem.

Corresponding to the four stages of motor control the superficial disorders of mobility and stability have to be removed, their causes discovered and the whole function of the body retrained with controlled mobility and dexterity.

The movement patterns have to be trained based upon the findings, functionality and the specific techniques.

During the first treatments already the patient learns a special personal training program for training at home.