What is PNF?
- Thread starter chefkate
- Start date
crazystepr
Cathlete
Hi Kate!
Maybe this will help:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/PNF_stretching
Allison
http://www.picturetrail.com/allisonj90
Maybe this will help:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/PNF_stretching
Allison
http://www.picturetrail.com/allisonj90
chefkate
Cathlete
Thanks for the quick response Allison! I never cease to be amazed at the helpfulness of everyone here.
Reading that first paragraph makes me wonder if PNF is beneficial. At first they seem to state its not but then it seems to tout good things about it. Guess I need to check it out a little more.
Thanks again.
Reading that first paragraph makes me wonder if PNF is beneficial. At first they seem to state its not but then it seems to tout good things about it. Guess I need to check it out a little more.
Thanks again.
endorphin_junkie
Cathlete
Hey Kate
I'm a massage therapist and use PNF in clinic regularly with great results. People are constantly amazed at the increased range of motion that can be attained through 3 rounds of Hold/Relax which motivates them to stretch more in their day to day lives. PNF is beautiful in it's simplicity utilising the body's physiology and neurology to our benefit. It is definitely beneficial.
Take Care
Laurie
I'm a massage therapist and use PNF in clinic regularly with great results. People are constantly amazed at the increased range of motion that can be attained through 3 rounds of Hold/Relax which motivates them to stretch more in their day to day lives. PNF is beautiful in it's simplicity utilising the body's physiology and neurology to our benefit. It is definitely beneficial.Take Care
Laurie
Kate, try this simple exercise yourself: Turn your head as far as you can to the left...hold...contract your muscles...relax...now turn your head further to the left. Notice that you can stretch a little more. Repeat on the right. That is PNF (proprioceptive neuromusclular facilitation) It is amazing to me that you can stretch farther after do this. You had already stretched as far as you would normally go, but after PNF, you can stretch further. According to Miranda's book Classical Stretch The Textbook p 23:
"PNF was a technique originally developed after WW1 by physiotherapists, in the treatment of amputee victims to stimulate nerve endings, and gain greater sensitivity of the muscles of the remaining limbs." "The Golgi tendon reflex protects the tendon from injury and the myotatic reflex protects the muscle from injury. THe role they play in protecting the muscles and tendons interferes with a person's ability to fully stretch and strengthen the muscles. In order to achieve maximum flexibility, it is necessary to bypass these reflexes. PNF does just that. It scientifically uses the reflexes against themselves by exaggerating each reflex reaction (extreme contraction in to an extreme relaxation) thus setting the opposite reaction."
I personally have great results with CS and this PNF technique. It takes a little patience to learn to do it for the whole body but I believe it is worth it.
ETA: There is quite a bit more on PNF in the book, but now sure if I am allowed to quote much more of it. Basically, it is contact then release and relax.
"PNF was a technique originally developed after WW1 by physiotherapists, in the treatment of amputee victims to stimulate nerve endings, and gain greater sensitivity of the muscles of the remaining limbs." "The Golgi tendon reflex protects the tendon from injury and the myotatic reflex protects the muscle from injury. THe role they play in protecting the muscles and tendons interferes with a person's ability to fully stretch and strengthen the muscles. In order to achieve maximum flexibility, it is necessary to bypass these reflexes. PNF does just that. It scientifically uses the reflexes against themselves by exaggerating each reflex reaction (extreme contraction in to an extreme relaxation) thus setting the opposite reaction."
I personally have great results with CS and this PNF technique. It takes a little patience to learn to do it for the whole body but I believe it is worth it.
ETA: There is quite a bit more on PNF in the book, but now sure if I am allowed to quote much more of it. Basically, it is contact then release and relax.
chefkate
Cathlete
Laurie & Wanda, Thank you very much! In CS, Miranda says she uses a little bit of PNF and whenver I do that part I feel so great. I'm going to buy more of her stuff. Stupid, but I've never made stretching a part of my regular routine but I've been doing this DVD almost every day and I can't get enough of it.
Thanks!
Thanks!
endorphin_junkie
Cathlete
Kate, that's awesome that you are enjoying stretching!! So many people underestimate it's importance but the more we keep our muscles supple and take them through their pain free ranges of motion, the more they will thank us with less likelihood of injuries, more freedom of movement and more aaaahhhhhhh.....
Take Care
Laurie
Take Care
Laurie