DNS Foot, Ankle, & Gait
Victoria June 2023
A focused 2 - day course for students who have completed DNS Exercise 1, Clinical Course A, or above.
Managing lower extremity injuries can be challenging for even the most astute clinician.
Many corrective strategies reduce impairments of the lower extremity (‘excessive’ pronation, for example) to the strength of a single muscle (i.e. gluteus medius or tibialis posterior) or the function of a single joint; yet, stabilization and locomotor function of the lower extremity is intertwined with trunk and even upper extremity function. The DNS approach to rehabilitation of the lower extremity takes into consideration that stabilization of the foot is not an isolated function or responsibility of the foot alone, and likewise, stabilization of the pelvis and hip is not the responsbility of the gluteus medius but rather global parameters of stabilization function. In this course, we will review common clinical conditions, anatomy and function of the lower extremity through the lens of Dynamic Neuromuscular Stabilization, then apply this knowledge to assessment and rehabilitation. You will walk away from this course with knowledge and skills to more effectively manage functional impairments of the lower extremity in clinical practice.
Course Objectives (Foot)
- Developmental aspects & foot formation, influence of the CNS function on foot structural maturation
- Foot biomechanics from the developmental perspective; stepping forward, supporting function, foot function during gait cycle
- Foot and ankle functional evaluation from developmental perspective
- Functional foot centration from the developmental perspective
- DNS active exercise positions to centrate the foot and to coordinate muscles in foot region
- Mobilization, relaxation and soft tissue techniques according to Lewit to normalize foot function
- Foot awareness assessment and treatment (foot cortical representation training)
- Typical chain reactions and types of musculoskeletal dysfunction resulting from foot dysfunction
- Self treatment techniques for foot dysfunction
Course Objectives (Gait)
- Improve attendee’s acumen for gait analysis.
- Review the different phases of the gait cycle.
- Review pertinent developmental kinesiology to the gait cycle.
- Provide a detailed explanation of muscle kinematics of the foot and how it relates to stability, function and centration.
- Learn to utilize gait analysis as the doorway into the overall function of the patient. Attendees of this course should expect to be able to identify proper functional tests to verify observational findings in the gait cycle.
- Specific developmental exercises to address common functional and structural pathology affecting the gait cycle.
- Review postural stabilization and the roll the diaphragm and respiration play in this essential attribute of function.
- Overview of common pathology associated with the gait cycle.
Course Outline
Approximate times. Please do not use for travel planning purposes.
Robert Lardner, PT
Robert Lardner graduated from the Department of Physical Therapy, Lund’s University, Sweden in 1991. He has worked in inpatient / outpatient rehabilitation facilities in Sweden prior to moving to Illinois in 1992, where he worked as a staff physical therapist at McNeal Hospital, Clearing Industrial Clinic and a supervisor of physical therapy at Mercy Hospital.
He has also been in charge of physical therapy services at a number private outpatient and sports clinics, and in addition teaching undergraduate and postgraduate courses at both the Southern California and the National Universities of Health Sciences. He has studied with Professors Janda, Lewit and Kolář from the Czech Republic who are pioneers in functional rehabilitation and manual medicine. Over the years he has taught different courses in the field of rehabilitation utilizing techniques and approaches of leaders in this field whose philosophies he deeply appreciates, these include manual therapy, gait and movement analysis, exercise, and reflex philosophies & techniques. At present he is also an international DNS (Dynamic Neuromuscular Stabilization) instructor.
Currently, he is in private practice in Chicago and continues to teach various seminars throughout the United States, Canada, Europe and Asia.
Ready to Register? Start Here
Step #1
Purchase a seat in the course from DNS Rehab Canada below:
DNS – Foot, Ankle, & Gait – Victoria June 2023
$695.00
Step #2
Each DNS course participant must pay a small fee (80 Euros) to the Prague School of Rehab, the originators and proprietors of all things DNS. Click on this Button to go the Prague School Website and pay your Prague School Fee (80 Euros):
(scroll to the very bottom of the linked page)