Developmental Kinesiology & Movement
What Is Dynamic Neuromuscular Stabilization?
Dynamic Neuromuscular Stabilization (DNS) is a rehabilitation and movement approach based on developmental kinesiology: the study of how posture, stabilization and movement emerge during early human development. DNS uses those developmental patterns as a model for improving how the body organizes movement as an adult.
A different way to think about movement
Some of our earliest movement strategies come preinstalled.
During early development, the nervous system learns to coordinate breathing, stabilization and movement through a remarkably predictable sequence. Long before we understand an exercise cue, we learn to control the trunk, reach, roll, support ourselves, crawl, stand and eventually walk.
DNS uses that developmental sequence as a reference point. Rather than approaching every movement problem by asking only which muscles need to be stretched or strengthened, DNS also asks: Can the body organize the movement more effectively?
Developmental positions provide relatively simple environments in which to practice that organization. As control improves, the position, load and movement challenge can become progressively more demanding.
Why use developmental positions with adults?
Positions associated with stages of infant development give DNS a structured way to simplify movement and work on the relationships between breathing, trunk stabilization, joint position and movement. The goal is not to stay on the floor. The goal is to develop a strategy that can be carried into standing, lifting, running, sport and everyday life.
The movement system
Three ideas help explain the DNS approach.
These pieces are not trained in isolation. DNS looks at how breathing, stabilization and movement are coordinated as parts of the same system.
01
Breathing & pressure
Breathing and stabilization are closely related. DNS emphasizes coordinated diaphragm and abdominal-wall activity to manage intra-abdominal pressure while the trunk remains adaptable enough to breathe and move.
02
Joint position & stabilization
Producing more muscular force is not always the same as producing better control. DNS uses position, support and movement challenge to practice stabilization while the joints remain organized for the task being performed.
03
Developmental progression
DNS draws from developmental positions and transitions as a progression of movement challenges. Simpler positions can be used first, then advanced toward rolling, support, locomotion, resistance and increasingly complex adult movement.
The floor is a starting point, not the finish line.
Developmental positions allow the movement problem to be simplified. From there, the same principles can be challenged through progressively more complex positions, transitions and tasks.
DNS in practice
What does DNS actually look like?
DNS often begins by reducing the complexity of movement. A developmental position may make it easier to work on breathing, pressure, trunk stabilization and joint position without simultaneously asking the body to manage a highly demanding task.
From there, the challenge progresses. Support is reduced. Limbs move. The body transitions between positions. Load, resistance, speed and coordination can be added as the movement strategy becomes more robust.
The progression
Simplify → Organize → Move → Load → IntegrateThat means DNS can look deceptively simple at first. Lying on the floor in a developmental position is not the end goal. It creates an environment in which the movement system can be challenged with less complexity before those same principles are carried into more demanding movement.
The appropriate starting point and progression depend on the person, the task and the reason the movement strategy is being trained.