Specialised in Dynamic Neuromuscular Stabilization
Dynamic Neuromuscular Stabilization (DNS) is an advanced and complex strategy or method of examination, testing, assessment, diagnosis and treatment of conditions affecting the whole body, including that of breathing, muscles, joints, ligaments, tendons and the nervous system of the body. This functional rehabilitation method / strategy’s aim is to activate the body’s natural inbuilt stabilization systems. Developed by a correlation of multiple therapist, osteopaths, chiropractors, physical therapists, doctors, neurologists and scientists, in a team developed by the head of the school of physiotherapy, prof. Pavel Kolar, based at the Prague School of Rehabilitation.
This specialist service of DNS treatment is provided by Michael Parr the consulting osteopath of Elementary Health in Cambridge, who has travelled internationally to generate his training in Dynamic Neuromuscular Stabilization and motor control training methods. In this model of approaching function, function is more important than structure, and often governs structure.
The assessment is formed through the principles of a developmental kinesiology approach (the way we first learned to move as an infant), with integration of neurophysiological and biomechanical principles of the locomotor system function and the quality of the central nervous system (CNS). Assessment and treatment of the stabilizing function of muscles, and the internal forces generated, which has a decisive postural role. Motor control is key, and functional control of motor systems is required. If you compare how you move at present, to that of an infant, with the believed ideal movement pattern. There is the possibility to find the key links needed to improve your motor control.
Dynamic Neuromuscular Stabilization Treatment
The treatment is a mix of Assessment, Advice, Body Awareness Training, Manually Guided Movements and Rehabilitative Exercise and Education. With its background in neuro-motor development that occurs during the child’s first years of life with the maturing locomotor system (ontogenesis). Looking at ideal postures, breathing patterns, and functional joint centration (maximally optimum joint position) from a neurodevelopmental principle.
Using functional tests to assess the quality and functional stability of the spinal stabilizers and other joint stabilizers. As we look for the ‘key link’ of dysfunction, which is often non-symptomatic.
The body is a whole, and functions as such, with a global kinetic pattern. Creating expressions within the Global postural locomotor patterns of the body. Therefore, at times, treatment may be given to very different areas of the body to the primary complaint. In many people an injury or pain in the body including that of joints or muscles, are believed to be related to a person’s global movement patterns and motor control development as an infant.
A primary goal is to optimize distribution of internal forces of the pressures and muscles acting on each segment of the spine and / or any other joint. Using the inherent programmes of the central nervous system that are present, they can be used to restore ideal functional postures. This allows motor control to be treated, by re-grooving healthy motor and movement patterns. With a principle that a ‘functional pathology’, is a ‘software problem’, and is always reversible
Intrinsic locomotor system stabilization can be assisted with manual rehabilitation approach to activate the ‘integrated stabilizing system’, for structures such as the spine. Muscles typically automatically activate prior to purposeful movement to establish a stable base, this is known as a feedforward mechanism. With assistance and focused training, this can achieve improved levels of function. Along with Patient education and Patient participation. People can be taught to self-manage many aspects of their condition. As it is imperative to reinforce these ideal motor co-ordinations among all stabilizing muscles.
Dynamic Neuromuscular Stabilization Can Help
Sometimes the physical hardware is present, however the software for the motor control is not currently working optimally. Perhaps due to a ’functional block’ or a sports injury Cambridge. By finding ‘optimal’ postures, this is seen to help to initiate a ‘reboot’ or ‘reset’ of the nervous system controls. You can have all the physical hardware, however if the software (‘functional pathology’ is a ‘software problem’) does not function in the intended sequence, you will have function errors. These functional errors may affect motor control, spinal stability, breathing patterns, symmetry control of the body, general mobility, sports performance, or lead to overuse irritation and injury during sport.
By ‘resetting’ the motor control programme the opportunity is presented for the system to reload the neuromuscular software in a more suitable sequence. Reprogramming how your body moves, thus eliminating any neuromuscular problems someone may have.
This is all performed in dynamic exercise therapy appointments, by stimulating the movement control centres in the brain, when using positions and postures and movements that the body would use to support itself as an infant would, and then manually guiding and manipulating the body so that it mimics a child’s movements.
Because these movements are based on the stabilisation of the spine, they cannot always easily be initially performed voluntarily through classic gym training, so the guidance of a trained and qualified DNS practitioner is needed to get the desired results. With the end goal of clinic being to allow a person to utilise these new found movement patterns in a gym, sporting or athletic setting or during activities of daily living.
Used to normalise body function, and encourage the patient’s own natural processes to restore control, from head to toe. Dynamic Neuromuscular Stabilization Cambridge can be used to treat many different neuro-musculo-skeletal conditions and needs of everybody from the newborn to the elderly, in many different activities and activity levels, helping such things as mobility problems and postural imbalances. This approach is also a very well utilised method for aiding athlete motor control patterns and optimizing athleticism. Our own team have used these methods with multiple world champions, title holders, Olympians, and medallists.
Guidance for aftercare will be provided, which assists by aiding to establish and prioritise training components, which can be initiated independently. As an adjunct in achieving your goals.
For more information on Elementary Health’s clinical approach to Dynamic Neuromuscular Stabilization for assessment, treatment and rehabilitation, please look at the treatment section of this website. For more information on this approach, please look at the official Prague School of Rehabilitation website, and this brief presentation.
If there are any other questions, or, you wish to book a consultation with Michael Parr the consulting osteopath in Cambridge, based at Elementary Health. Please don’t hesitate to call or email.
We recommend your first visit is a Complex Case Consultation for the more complex cases and athletic pursuits, and a First Dynamic Exercise Therapy Consultation for all other cases.
Book a consultation to get that pain free control back
01223 902 433