Dynamic Neuromuscular Stabilization (DNS) – Clinical Courses

Course attendees will have a clear understanding of:
• The basic principles of developmental kinesiology.
• Development during the first year of life: stabilization of the spine in the sagittal plane, development of the phasic movements coupled with trunk rotation.
• The relationship between development during the first year of life and pathology of the locomotor system in adulthood.
• The reflex consequences following central neural programs during the first year of life.
• Functional stabilization of the spine
• Correction of poor stereotypical respiration.
• New terminology such as functional joint centration and decentration, stabilization, punctum fixum. In addition, posture will be discussed from a developmental point of view.

Course attendees will possess:
• Skills to utilize the most important tests to evaluate the stabilizing system of the spine.
• Skills for evaluation of breathing stereotypes.
• The most important techniques used in active treatment of the stabilizing system of the spine utilizing the principles of ontogenesis.

With the above knowledge and skills, the attendee should be able to clinically apply these principles for:
• Treatment of functional pathology of the locomotor system, vertebrogenic and radicular pain syndromes where the deep stabilizing system of the spine plays a crucial role.
• Treatment of functional pathology of the locomotor system resulting from poor early development.

Course Schedule:

Day 1
9.00 – 10.30 Developmental Kinesiology, Ontogenesis – Basic Principles
10.30 – 11.00 Coffee break
11.00 – 12.30 Developmental Stages in the 1st year of life – Physiological & Pathological Development
12.30 – 13.30 Lunch
13.30 – 15.00 Stabilization of Spine, Trunk and Pelvis in Sagittal Plane, Breathing stereotype (ideal and pathological models).
15.00 – 15.30 Coffee break
15.30 – 17.00 Stabilizing system of the spine: DNS postural tests – assessment principles

Day 2
9.00 – 10.30 Basic postural stabilization assessment and treatment principles
10.30 – 11.00 Coffee break
11.00 – 12.30 Postural stabilization: basic supine positions corresponding with developmental positions assessment and treatment/self-treatment principles: theory and demonstration
12.30 – 13.30 Lunch
13.30– 15.00 Postural stabilization: basic supine positions corresponding with developmental positions: hands on workshop
15.00 – 15.30 Coffee break
15.30 – 17.00 Postural stabilization : basic supine positions corresponding with developmental positions: hands on workshop

Day 3
8.30 – 10.30 Postural stabilization : basic prone positions corresponding with developmental positions theory and demonstration: assessment and treatment/self-treatment principles:
10.30 – 11.00 Coffee break
11.00 – 12.30 Postural stabilization : basic prone positions corresponding with developmental positions: hands on workshop
12.30 – 13.30 Lunch
13.30 – 15.00 Postural stabilization : demonstration of higher positions corresponding with development between 3-14 months: intro to DNS course B. Final discussion

Upcoming Basic A courses :
New dates will be announced soon!

Fee: 440 eur.
IMPORTANT! There is an additional Prague Reabilitation School Fee of  80 Eur. (exl.  VAT) that needs to be paid in order to participate in the course.

Course attendees will have a clear understanding of:

• Demonstrate an understanding of developmental kinesiology and its relationship with pathology of the locomotor system: review theory covered in the A course and introduce more advanced theory, namely the verticalization process

• Describe the basis for primitive reflexes and postural reactions and their roles in developmental kinesiology

• Introduce basic information about reflex locomotion according to Vojta

• Perform demonstration of assessments of babies: attendees will be able to recognize ideal and disturbed locomotor patterns and determine developmental age of the babies

• Demonstrate and teach proper handling of infants

• Demonstration application of DNS assessment and treatment in adult patients with pain and dysfunction within the locomotor system – stabilization assessment and treatment strategy

• Postural analysis & testing of integrated spinal stabilization system – review of Course A tests and introduction to additional, advanced tests

• Integration of corrective exercises based on newly taught DNS functional tests

• Exercise in differentiated ipsilateral and contralateral static positions, position transfer during locomotor function, exercise progression using unstable surface, resistance against “planned movement”, dual tasking and other challenges both in ipsi and contralateral patterns, transition between ipsilateral and contralateral patterns, training of isolated segmental movement

• Introduction to cortical functioning – body scheme, quality of relaxation, isolated segmental movements

• Provide more complex clinical management explanation for clinicians to better integrate more advanced DNS protocols into clinical practice

• Optimally prepare students for the next level of training (Course “C”)

OPTIONAL EXAMINATION
Participants who would like to participate in the educational track towards becoming a certified practitioner can take this exam for an additional fee of 100 Euros. The test will consist of an analysis of babies at various developmental stages. Web link with videos will be mailed to participant for analysis. Participants are required to return the test to the local instructor within a month after the course. Upon successful completion and passing of the test, a Certificate of ACHIEVEMENT from Prague School of Rehabilitation will be awarded.

May only re-take the test 3 times.

The clinician would be required to repeat one or more courses, before re-qualifying for certification
testing.

Tentative Course Program

Day 1 
9.00 – 10.30 Developmental kinesiology & ontogenesis; review of the basic principles.
10.30 – 10.45 Coffee break.
10.45 – 12.30 Primitive reflexes, postural reactions & postural activity during the first year of life. Functional assessment during the first year of life – demonstration of babies & video demonstration. Distinguish physiological and pathological development; central coordination disturbance; determine the developmental age. Proper baby handling.
12.30 – 13.30 Lunch.
13.30 – 15.00 DNS active exercise in supine positions – review and advanced modifications. Muscle synergies in supine DNS /ontogenetic positions.
15.00 – 15.15 Coffee break.
15.15 – 17.00 DNS active exercise in supine positions – workshop.

Day 2 
9.00 – 10.30 DNS active exercise in prone positions – review and advanced modifications. Muscle synergies in prone DNS /ontogenetic positions.
10.30 – 10.45 Coffee break.
10.45 – 12.30 DNS active exercise in prone positions – workshop.
12.30 – 13.30 Lunch.
13.30– 15.00 Developmental dyspraxia, DCD, cortical function – theory, video demonstration & practical outcomes.
15.00 – 15.15 Coffee break.
15.15 – 17.00 Workshop: supine and prone positions – cont.

Day 3 
8.30 – 10.30 DNS active exercise in side lying positions – introduction on basic muscle synergies. Possible modifications of ipsilateral locomotor pattern training and progression.
10.30 – 10.45 Coffee break
10.45 – 12.30 DNS active exercise in side lying positions – worksop. Advanced “higher” ontogentic positions for active exercise. Patient’s education.
12.30 – 13.30 Lunch
13.30 – 15.00 DNS based mobilization & relaxation techniques. Final DNS review & discussion.

Tentative Course Program

Day 1
9.00 – 10.30 DNS – review of the most important DNS principles – three levels of motor control; cortical function and body awareness training.
10.30 – 10.45 Coffee break.
10.45 – 12.30 Practical workshop: DNS ontogenetic flow – sequencing of developmental postures.
12.30 – 13.30 Lunch.
13.30 – 15.00 Practical workshop: DNS ontogenetic flow
– sequencing of developmental postures
– analysis of postural-locomotion movement patterns, signs of functional decentration and the most frequent mistakes.
15.00 – 15.15 Coffee break.
15.15 – 17.00 Application of the DNS principles for sport performance and fitness exercise.

Day 2
9.00 – 10.30 DNS concept for functional diagnosis and treatment of shoulder girdle pain.
10.30 – 10.45 Coffee break.
10.45 – 12.30 DNS concept for functional diagnosis and treatment of shoulder girdle pain.
12.30 – 13.30 Lunch.
13.30– 15.00 DNS management of patients with scoliosis; demonstration of assessment and DNS treatment of scoliotic patients. Patient’s education.
15.00 – 15.15 Coffee break.
15.15 – 17.00 Workshop: DNS management of patients with scoliosis.

Day 3 
8.30 – 10.00 DNS assessment & treatment for patients with pelvic girdle/ hip pain.
10.00 – 10.15 Coffee break.
10.15 – 12.00 DNS assessment & treatment for patients with pelvic girdle/ hip pain.
12.00 – 13.00 Lunch.
13.00 – 15.00 DNS approach to patients with pelvic floor dysfunction.

Course objectives

• Introduce advanced assessment methods – the integrated stabilizing system, locomotor stereotypes, respiratory stereotype
• Describe the kinesiology of muscle chains involved in locomotion: stepping forward and supporting function
• Discuss and workshop assessment and treatment of the pelvic girdle and hip joint: phylogenetic and ontogenetic aspects, anatomical parameters from developmental perspective, the most common pathological conditions – femoroacetabular impingement syndrome, arthritis, DNS
  assessment and treatment procedures
• Discuss and workshop assessment and treatment of the shoulder girdle: phylogenetic and ontogenetic aspects, anatomical parameters from developmental perspective, DNS assessment and treatment in shoulder girdle disorders – hemiplegic shoulder, frozen shoulder, impingement syndrome, SLAP lesion
• Discuss and workshop assessment and treatment of scoliosis: definition and classification, ontogenetic aspects leading to scoliotic development, risk factors, spine control in motor development, assessment of infants and adults with scoliosis and body asymmetry, bracing and DNS treatment positions and strategies
• Discuss and workshop assessment and treatment of pelvic floor issues and women’s health: pelvic floor muscle function from developmental perspective; associated kinesiology between diaphragm and pelvic floor; typical postural disturbances, functional trigger point chains, joint dysfunction and hypersensitive zones in gynaecological diagnoses; DNS assessment and rehabilitation for stress incontinence, anorectal dysfunction, amenorrhea and dysmenorrhea, functional sterility, pelvic organ prolapse and pelvic pain syndromes, vertebral-visceral relationships; rehabilitation for pregnant females
• Cover general DNS self-treatment advanced techniques
• Provide more complex clinical management explanation for clinicians to better integrate more advanced DNS protocols into regular practice.
• Establish individual goals (DNS understanding & skills) for students to be optimally prepared for
  the next level of training (Course “D” in Prague)

Optional examination

Participants who would like to participate in the educational track towards becoming a certified practitioner can take this exam for an additional fee of 100 Euros. The test will consist of an analysis of adult patients. Web link with videos will be mailed to participant for analysis. Participants are required to return the test to the local instructor within a month after the course. Upon successful completion and passing of the test, a Certificate of ACHIEVEMENT from Prague School of Rehabilitation will be awarded.
May only re-take the test 3 times.
The clinician would be required to repeat one or more courses, before re-qualifying for certification testing.