Last Updated May 2011
The practice of physical therapy is constantly evolving. With over 90 years of history, physical therapists have helped generations recover from illness, deal with disabilities, improve function, reduce pain and avoid physical problems.
Just as the profession has evolved over time, so have many of the treatment techniques utilized by physical therapists. Some physical therapists focus on structural techniques to treat their patients while others embrace techniques built upon developmental movement principles. Although the debate continues on whether movement is controlled more by mental processes or by learning new physical processes, one thing remains constant - physical therapists are constantly striving to improve the lives of their patients.
A relatively new manual rehabilitation approach to helping patients restore function, overcome injury and reduce pain is Dynamic Neuromuscular Stabilization (DNS). This new rehabilitation system was developed by Pavel Kolar. DNS is built upon the principles and work of several professors at the Prague School of Rehabilitation and Manual Medicine including Vaclav Vjita, Karel Lewit, Vladimir Janda and Frantisek Vele.
DNS focuses on both stimulating movement control centers in the brain and physical processes. DNS incorporates all the elements of movement and works to stimulate movement control centers in the brain by activating inborn movement stereotypes. The process examines motor control, stability and quality of movement. The DNS method helps prevent irritation to injuries by balancing the body while teaching the brain to maintain central control and the stability of movement.
A certified instructor and leading expert on DNS, Clare Frank DPT, MS, OCS, FAAOMPT utilizes Dynamic Neuromuscular Stabilization in her private clinic based in Los Angeles, California. She recommends physical therapists look at the entire body when patients come into a clinic with a specific complaint, such as a shoulder injury. Instead of focusing on the malfunction of the joint itself, she encourages physical therapists to complete a movement analysis and examine all the potential contributors to the pain. A lack of dynamic trunk stabilization can contribute to pain throughout the body. DNS can be used to train the deep core of the body to re-establish natural movements and prevent irritation to the area injured by restoring balance to the entire body.
Individuals interested in learning more about Dynamic Neuromuscular Stabilization can find information on the Rehabilitation Prague School website (rehabps.com).
Interested in learning more about Dynamic Neuromuscular Stabilization? Listen to DNS expert, Dr. Clare Frank in a PT Talker podcast on the topic at www.PTtalker.com.
Click here to learn more about PT Talker.