Phase 2: Physical Therapy Techniques

Phase 2: Physical Therapy Techniques

In Phase 2, physical therapists will be choosing from many different modalities and techniques to accomplish their goals.  Range of motion is addressed with manual techniques like passive and facilitated stretching (as shown in the photo).

Facilitated stretching is an active, assisted stretching technique based on the principles of proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation, or PNF (4).  The patient and the practitioner work together utilizing a combination of stretching and muscle contraction in order to trigger the reflexive responses of the proprioceptors within the target muscle and tendon in order to increase range of motion.