PNF Gone Wrong

PNF Patterns Gone Wrong

why use PNF and what to avoid when doing PNF

Peripheral Neuromuscular Facilitation (PNF) is a powerful tool in restoration of efficient movement patterns.  It is technique that is often done poorly.  It has gained notoriety through the contract-relax technique.  I have heard strength coach’s simply refer to the contract-relax mechanism of muscle inhibition as “do the PNF technique.”  I have seen professionals using chop, lift, and rolling patterns outside of the diagonals but yet still referring to it as PNF.  If PNF is not completed properly you are not gaining the value of the technique.  The patterns are developed so the body has the least resistance to achieve optimal movement.

Value Behind PNF Techniques

1. eval & re-eval throughout to choose appropriate techniques,

2. techniques facilitate normal reflexes along with voluntary activity to enhance development of efficient posture/movement

3. achieve function by breaking complex skills to parts, interaction of stability & mobility, ability to perform whole skill is facilitated through learning sequence

4. abnormal tone, posture/movement treated by direct or indirect inhibition

5. tapping a maximal response & repeating is most effective way of increasing power, awareness & endurance,

My purpose today is not to teach how to perform PNF as that would take years of practice.  My goal is to help educate on examples of poor PNF techniques to help improve future practice. Reach out to us at Capacity Performance Therapy at nickh@capacitypt.com for more literature on PNF.

PNF Patterns

There are PNF patterns developed for the entire body.  One of the most common errors for a pattern is making it too wide.  One will commonly perform Shoulder Flex/Abd/ER with the arm wide where the shoulder will be unstable and scapular control will be limited.  Keep all patterns narrow and follow through the sequencing of patterns.  Do not name patterns “D2” as you will not remember the sequence of the pattern.  Name the pattern the movement trying to be achieved and the goal of the contraction (isotonic, isometric, combination of isotonic, stabilizing reversal, etc.)

Poor UE Flex, Abd, ER Pattern

Poor PNF

PNF Progression

It is typical for providers to progress too quickly through PNF patterns.  One should start with proximal control then progress distally.  Restore shoulder girdle, pelvic, and mass rolling patterns prior to involvement of extremities.  Do not add resistance, increase speed, and load the pattern until proximal stability is achieved.

Type of Contraction

What is the goal of the technique?  If you are attempting to retrain the pattern for the first time it is common to start with an isometric contraction at a strong point of the pattern.  Isometric patterns involve the client “not allowing movement” rather than pushing into the provider.  As the isometric hold lasts the muscle force will summate and strength will improve.  Once an isometric contraction is achieved an isotonic contraction is appropriate.  There is a maintained isotonic where the client is now “pushing into the movement” against the provider but still no movement occurs.  Then concentric, eccentric, and isometric contractions can be performed throughout the pattern.

Manual Contact

Common mistakes of manual contract are making the contact point too broad, adding too much force the manual contact, not aligning one’s body to provide force through the pattern, and not promoting the “bowl” like motions of PNF diagonals.  If manual contact is done correctly the pattern should come naturally.  If it is done poorly, one will have difficulty to obtain the proper diagonal of the pattern.

Scapular PNF Diagonals

Pelvic PNF Diagonals

Check out more content at capacity.edu or reach out to us at Capacity Performance Therapy in Bend, OR