DNS – Dynamic Neuromuscular Stabilisation, developed at the Prague School of Rehabilitation in the Czech Republic. Up until the 1990s, clinicians in the West knew very little about the rehabilitation clinic at Motol Hospital in Prague. Once the Iron Curtain fell experts as Professors Vojta, Janda and Lewitt and their ground breaking work become known.

A frustration I had was that once I had got someone out of pain how could we rehabilitate them so that the issue resolved or at least became more stable. Conventional exercise therapy, pilates and the thousands of different contemporary approaches never really seemed to work that well. By chance I heard of a course run in Prague and thought why not! So after an introductory seminar in Denmark I then followed up in Prague meeting Professor Pavel Kolar. The approach is based entirely on how the human brain develops and connects to the skeleton. Patterns of neurological dysfunction need to be identified and rehabilitated very specifically otherwise nothing ever truely gets “fixed”.

The most common issue is the stabilising role the diaphragm plays and reestablishing a normal breathing pattern is key to any rehabilitation of most injuries or chronic conditions. This involves specific exercises, reflex stimulation and education. The results can be very impressive but it takes commitment from the patient to do their “homework” otherwise it will not work. I have used this approach with high level athletes, children and those wanting to get back to a full life.

A second form of Osteopathic Rehabilitation is the work of Professor Eyal Lederman who takes a more functional approach to rehabilitation. His research on how to treat by engaging the brain is extraordinary. The application of this approach is straight forwards but there will be “homework” for you to do