PNF Gait Analysis Continuing Education

Course Objectives

Upon Successful Completion of this course the participant will be able to:

• Discuss the eight components of PNF philosophy (potential, place a demand, treating the whole patient, positive approach, functional treatments, elicit maximal patient response repetition and respect normal timing) and incorporate each component into a comprehensive program.
• Discuss the importance of each component of the PNF basic principles (pattern of facilitation, patient position, therapists position, diagonal, manual cues, stretch, verbal command, resistance, irradiation, visual cues and normal timing) and understand how to apply each principle to obtain better outcomes.
• Identify a patient’s potential by applying the appropriate demand on their system.
• Discuss the importance of treating the whole person to get optimal results.
• Identify the appropriate PNF pattern to utilize when working on pre-gait activities.
• Identify the importance of patient and therapist positioning with each PNF pattern performed.
• Correctly perform PNF techniques to elicit functional movement.
• Perform scapular and pelvic patterns to promote specific functional movements for pre-gait and gait activities.
• Discuss the differences between contract-relax and hold-relax and identify when to utilize each technique.
• Discuss the evidence-based research that supports PNF techniques to improve gait function in the neurological and orthopedic population.
• Identify the range of motion needed at each joint in order to have functional gait.
• Discuss common limitations in joint range of motion in addition to common areas of contractures and the implications on gait.
• Identify common muscle weakness and the implications on gait.
• Identify the specific control and motion of the pelvis during throughout the gait phase.
• Identify the consequence of abnormal pelvic motion in the gait cycle and how to address each deficit with specific PNF techniques.
• Discuss the advantages of PNF with gait facilitation.
• Discuss the evidence-based practice research that validates therapeutic exercise and PNF for a variety of diagnoses.
• Develop a comprehensive program to include pre-gait interventions to improve functional gait and mobility.
• Develop a treatment plan that is progressive and sets the patient up for success by incorporating many critical components of the PNF philosophy and principles into a comprehensive program.

Learn From the Expert - Cathy Finch, PT

Catherine Finch, PT, is a graduate of California State University in Fresno with dual degrees in health science and physical therapy. Her impressive credentials include extensive experience in acute rehabilitation, inpatient rehabilitation, outpatient orthopedics, and 25 years of physical therapy.

More specifically, Ms. Finch has a wealth of knowledge, training and experience in the area of Proprioceptive Neuromuscular Facilitation (PNF).

Setting up Parameters for Successful Treatments: PNF Philosophy

• The basic philosophy of PNF
• Components of PNF Philosophy
  • Patient Potential
  • Place a Demand
  • Treat the Whole Person
  • Positive Approach
  • Functional Treatments
  • Elicit Maximal Patient Response
  • Repetition
  • Respect Normal Timing

The Basic Principles of PNF

• The basic principles of PNF
• Components of PNF Basic Principles:
  • Patterns of facilitation
  • Patient position
  • Therapist position/body mechanics
  • Diagonal
  • Manual contacts
  • Stretch
  • Verbal command
  • Resistance
  • Irradiation
  • Visual cues
  • Normal timing

Comprehensive Treatment Planning Overview

• Looking at the whole patient
• Contract-relax and hold-relax
• International PNF Association
• Reciprocal inhibition
• Learn about submaximal contraction

Learning PNF Techniques

• Learn these valuable PNF Techniques:
  • Rhythmic Initiation
  • Replication
  • Contract Relax
  • Hold Relax
  • Dynamic Reversals
  • Combination of Isotonics
  • Stabilizing Reversals

Trunk Patterns with PNF

• Scapula and pelvic patterns
• Lower Extremity Patterns
• Mastering patient positioning for patterns

Gait Facilitation Through the Utilization of PNF Manual Contacts

• Anterior elevation that occurs with the D1
• The Flexion adduction leg pattern
• The extension abduction internal rotation pattern

Lab: Applying PNF Principles to Basic Exercises for Pre-Gait Training

• Incorporating trunk patterns into treatment
  • Anterior depression
  • Posterior elevation
  • Scapular setting
  • Scapular setting
• Pelvic Patterns
• Reciprocal patterns
• PNF D1 flexion/extension pattern
• Facilitate extension pattern
• Apply principles to exercises to get people up for gait training
  • Ankle
  • Quads and Gluts
  • Hip
• Contract -Relax techniques, rotation component to improve muscle length

Lab: Standing PNF Techniques for Gait Training and Steps

• Standing approximation, weight shifting-stepping progression
• Standing approximation, Therapist providing support-cues from behind for step progression
• Facilitating stepping backwards-Hip extensor activity
• Facilitating hip adduction/abduction side stepping
• Facilitating hip adduction/abduction side stepping
• Facilitating steping up onto step

Case Presentations of PNF treatments

• The patient that loads their leg with a bent knee
• Choosing the best PNF Pattern for this patient
• Treatment ideas and considerations

Course Test - Evaluate your knowledge

• Use the Healthclick proprietary online education system which provides the online student with:
• Worldwide access to high definition video, anatomical animations and images, and written information
• The highest quality film in the industry, you can see the difference!
• Stop and resume within a course, the Healthclick system will optimize your course based on your device, connection and remembers where you left off.
• Real-time course updates. We are always adding to each courses, updating content, adding animations, these are not static courses!
• Evaluate your knowledge with the course test on any device.
• Print your state course certificate for CE credit.
• Take the online test as many times as need in order to achieve a 70 % or greater score.