What is PNF therapy, brief History, Patterns and Techniques

1. Proprioceptive
Neuromuscular Facilitation
(PNF)
Dr. Muhammad Sohail Raza (PT)

2. What is PNF?
• Proprioceptive, means receiving stimulation within the
tissues of the body.
• Neuromuscular, means pertaining to the nervesand muscles.
• Facilitation, means the effect produced in nervetissue by the passage
of an impulse.
Definition:
Techniques of proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation may be
defined as “ Methods of promoting or hastening the response of the
neuromuscular mechanism through stimulation of the proprioceptors”.

3. Neurophysiological Principles of PNF Therapy:
After Discharge (Stimuli Response)
Temporal Summation ( More than one weak stimuli  Response)
Spatial Summation ( Stimuli  Diff. Body sides  Response)
Irradiation ( Stronger Muscles Group  Assist Wreakers  Response)
Successive Induction (Agonists Contract Max. Antagonists Activate)
Reciprocal Inhibition (Agonist Contraction followed by Antagonist
Inhibition)

4. Procedures :
• Resistance
• Irradiation or Reinforcement
• Manual Contact
• Body Mechanics
• Therapist’s Command
• Vision
• Traction
• Approximation
• Stretch
• Timing

5. PNF Patterns:
• Upper Extremity Diagonal Patterns:
D1 Flexion and D1 Extension
D2 Flexion and D2 Extension
• Lower Extremity Diagonal Patterns:
D1 Flexion and D1 Extension
D2 Flexion and D2 Extension

6. Upper Extremity
D1 Flexion D1 Extension

7. Upper Extremity
D2 Flexion D2 Extension

8. Lower Extremity
D1 Flexion D1 Extension

9. Lower Extremity
D2 Flexion D2 Extension

11. Strengthening Techniques

12. Rhythmic Initiation:

17. Stretching Techniques