Introduction >> What is the IPNFA?
What is the IPNFA?
What is the IPNFA?
What is the International PNF Association?
The method of Proprioceptive Neuromuscular Facilitation (PNF) was developed at the Kabat¬ Kaiser Institute over a period of 5 years, 1946¬-1951, by Herman Kabat, MD, a clinical neurophysiologist, and the Physical Therapist, Margaret "Maggie" Knott. Mr. Kaiser, whose son had Multiple Sclerosis, provided the financial backing for the Institute, at first in Washington, D.C., and later in Vallejo, California. Originally the method was developed for patients with neurological deficits, especially Poliomyelitis. Later it developed into a method to be used for musculoskeletal as well as neurological deficits.
The development of the PNF Method also includes its spread to therapists worldwide through post¬graduate courses. These therapists learned the method in Vallejo and then shared their knowledge with colleagues in their respective countries. 1954 Maggie Knott and Dorothy Voss gave their first course in Vallejo. In 1956 they published their first PNF book.
In 1973, Dr. Martin Wilhelm Zinn, the medical director of the Thermalbäder Bad Ragaz, Switzerland, invited Maggie Knott to Bad Ragaz to teach the concept Method. Several years later, PNF became a solid part of the post-graduate program in Bad Ragaz. Sue Adler, one of Maggie's instructors in Vallejo, came to Bad Ragaz in 1979 to present the first Advanced course. In 1981 she instructed the first Instructor course there which resulted in 8 international instructors. 1985 was the first meeting of the International PNF instructor group. The instructor group continued to grow and in 1990 the IPNFA was formed. The INPFA consists of instructors as well as persons interested in the PNF method.
The IPNFA has the following objectives:
• To promote further worldwide development of the clinical use of PNF.
• To maintain continuity and standards in the PNF concept.
• To maintain continuity and standards in the PNF course material for beginning and advanced students.
• To ensure that developments in neurophysiology and other related fields are incorporated into PNF clinical practice.
• To develop peer review in order to maintain the necessary clinical and educational standard required to teach PNF.
• To educate and train new PNF instructors.
• To promote research into PNF theory and practice.
• To identify further developments in the PNF concept.
Advantages for Members
• Profit from the above stated objectives.
• Receive regular information regarding developments in PNF; professional as well as political.
• Possiblity to attend the annual IPNFA conference; consisiting of the Annual General Meeting as well as Educational Day which is developed specifically with PNF relevant Information.
• Opportunity to meet and share thoughts and Information with Instructors, assistents and other therapists with similar therapeutic points-of-view.
• Support from recognized instructors regarding PNF continuing education.
Interested? Please contact the secretary or the treasurer of the IPNFA. The addresses you will find under "Organisation"