Stability and Movement - Who needs it?
- Dr. Freya Moran, USA
- Jun 4, 2022
- 2 min read
Last week I joined doctors from all over the world in Prague, Czech Republic to continue my education at the Prague School of Athletic Rehabilitation, attending two very special courses in Dynamic Neuromuscular Stabilization (DNS).
What is DNS and who is it for?
DNS isn't just a treatment technique, it's a diagnostic tool. A tool that assesses and evaluates the functional and developmental movement patterns of babies for the purpose of identifying and correcting painful or poor movement patterns in adults. This tool proves very useful for patients - particularly for athletes - who have conditions that have been developing for a while but couldn't quite put a finger on where that pain comes from or haven't gotten a medical explanation as to why it won't go away. Simply put: if there exists a poor movement pattern, it doesn't matter how many pills or injections you get - that movement pattern will still be there, causing the same problems, even when the shots wear off.
Because stability precedes movement.
How can someone move if they can't find stability? Well, your brain is pretty smart, and it will find a way to move around a blockage, an unstable, or a painful area. Over time, these new patterns of movement can lead to new injury, degeneration, or pain in different areas. I aim to fix that before it becomes a problem that requires more invasive treatment.
Where do I start?
A DNS approach to treatment starts with an assessment of movement and breathing. Particular focus is applied toward stabilizing the core through proper activation of the diaphragm while breathing, so it isn't uncommon for patients to spend their first treatment in the office learning and applying these principles. More often than not, they go home with new insight into their own unique anatomy and how to achieve stability before engaging in exercise, making their movement and exercises more meaningful.
As promised, my commitment to continuing education should be about you, the patient, and your needs. This year I've seen a lot of patients - athletes and non-athletes alike - whose main complaint is postural pain while sitting during home office, or low back and neck pain despite having a sit-to-stand desk. I use DNS as a method of looking for unstable or unhelpful movement patterns that have been reinforced over time through repetitive movements (like sitting or standing for long hours) and use fascial manipulation, joint mobilization, and corrective exercises to teach patients how to perform better, whether their sport is playing with their kids and daily yoga, or Olympic-level kickboxing.
Don't wait with pain. If you or someone you know can benefit from this kind of assessment and treatment, reach out! I'm happy to answer your questions about stability and whether or not a sports chiropractor is right for you.
Comments