The DNS Clinical Series is for Clinicians are based on neurophysiology, neuroanatomy, muscle physiology, and kinesiology, with an emphasis on diagnostics.  These courses are limited to licensed health professionals (MD, DO, PT, DC, OT, ATC, massage therapists).

All clinical courses are 3-day, 18-hour courses.

DNS A introduces the fundamentals of developmental kinesiology and ontogenesis with a heavy emphasis on defining, assessing, and restoring optimal sagittal stabilization through the non-differentiated developmental positions. This course is often an eye-opener for participants, who will walk away with unparalleled knowledge and skills in restoring optimal sagittal stabilization and a new lens to assess human movement.

Course Objectives:

1. Improve understanding of the basic principles of developmental kinesiology with an emphasis on development during the first year of life

2. Identify and describe key milestones in human development

3. Introduce the three level of sensorimotor control in functional assessment and treatment

4. Demonstrate the relationship between development during the first year of life and pathology of the locomotor system in adulthood

5. •Introduce new terminology pertinent to rehabilitation such as functional joint centration, punctum fixum, punctum mobile and the integrated stabilizing system of the spine

6. Define ideal postural stabilization from a developmental perspective: intra-abdominal pressure regulation, dual role of the diaphragm in stabilization and respiration, stabilization via co-contraction

7. Identify common stereotypes of faulty postural stabilization (“open scissors syndrome”, forward drown posture, backward drown posture, “hour glass syndrome”)

8. Explain and demonstrate biomechanics of undifferentiated, ipsilateral and contralateral postural-locomotion patterns; closed and opened kinematic chains, stepping forward and supporting function

9. Evaluate and correct poor respiratory patterns

10. Demonstrate the correlation between poor respiration patterns and functional pathology of the locomotor system

11. Assess the integrated stabilizing system of the spine both visually and utilizing dynamic functional tests

12. Integrate corrective exercises based on the DNS functional tests and developmental positions: exercise in undifferentiated static positions; position transfer during locomotor function; exercise progression using unstable surfaces; increased difficulty of the exercises utilizing resistance, dual tasking and other challenges

13. Clarify how DNS corrective exercises can integrate with other exercise strategies

14. Cover the basics of application of DNS concept in sport training

15. Provide basic clinical management explanations for clinicians to better integrate the DNS approach in their regular practice, including patient education

16. Optimally prepare students for the next level of training (Course “B”)

In DNS B we take the foundation of sagittal stabilization and apply it to differentiated patterns. We complete the developmental sequence and place our major emphasis on rehabilitating and training the ipsilateral and contralateral patterns.

Students will gain a deeper understanding of the developmental sequence and the neurophysiological aspects of ontogenesis.

Course Objectives:

1. 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

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

3. Introduce basic information about reflex locomotion according to Vojta

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

5. Demonstrate and teach proper handling of infants

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

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

8. Integration of corrective exercises based on newly taught DNS functional tests

9. 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

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

11. Provide more complex clinical management explanations for clinicians to better integrate more advanced DNS protocols into clinical practice

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

After students have been taught the full developmental sequence and had a chance to hone their DNS application and skills, in DNS C we dive into advanced skills training, including region and injury-specific applications. This course goes beyond fundamentals and aims to build, solidify, and refine advanced applications.

Course Objectives:

1. Introduce advanced assessment methods – the integrated stabilizing system, locomotor stereotypes, respiratory stereotype

2. Describe the kinesiology of muscle chains involved in locomotion: stepping forward and supporting function

3. Discuss and workshop assessment and treatment of the pelvic girdle and hip joint: phylogenetic and ontogenetic aspects, anatomical parameters from a developmental perspective, the most common pathological conditions – femoroacetabular impingement syndrome, arthritis, DNS assessment, and treatment procedures

4. Discuss and workshop assessment and treatment of the shoulder girdle: phylogenetic and ontogenetic aspects, anatomical parameters from a developmental perspective, DNS assessment and treatment in shoulder girdle disorders - hemiplegic shoulder, frozen shoulder, impingement syndrome, SLAP lesion

5. 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

6. Discuss and workshop assessment and treatment of pelvic floor issues and women’s health: pelvic floor muscle function from developmental perspective; associated kinesiology between the diaphragm and pelvic floor; typical postural disturbances, functional  trigger point chains, joint dysfunction and hypersensitive zones in gynecological 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

7. Cover general DNS self-treatment advanced techniques

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

9. Establish individual goals (DNS understanding & skills) for students to be optimally prepared for the next level of training (Course “D” in Prague)

The final course in the clinical series, DNS D is a 6-day course offered in Prague, where the Prague School of Rehabilitation can immerse you in a variety of DNS lectures and workshops featuring the entire Prague School team, including Pavel Kolar.