Protonics Science
The Protonics™ Therapy Program uses the clinically proven Protonics®
Rehabilitation Device, the Protonics® Gait Trainer Treadmill and proprietary
therapy methods to allow patients to improve functional neuromuscular
activation patterns and influence proper postural alignment.
Using the Protonics Rehabilitation Device, patients have the ability to
inhibit and activate certain muscle groups during functional activities and
gait. By influencing proper neuromuscular activation during gait and
activities, patients are able to control a major contributing factor to
knee, hip, SI joint and/or low back pain, and not just treat the symptoms.
Patients appropriate for the Protonics™ Therapy Program are those who
demonstrate excess neuromuscular activation of certain muscle groups (Quads,
Hip Flexors) during function that promote improper patterns of movement.
This can force an internal rotation of the femur, and/or a forward tilted
pelvis in addition to pain due to increased friction, tension and sheer
throughout the Lumbar-pelvic-femoral complex.
To decrease friction, tension and sheer throughout the Lumbar-pelvic-femoral
complex in addition to influencing postural position, you must inhibit
over-activating muscles while activating the hamstring muscle during
function. By using the Protonics® Rehabilitation Device in conjunction with
the Protonics® Gait Trainer Treadmill, patients can now influence hamstring
activation at certain points during motion, while inhibiting over-activity
of other muscles. Over time, patients muscles are retrained to activate
properly with only periodic usage of the Protonics Rehabilitation Device
needed to maintain proper functional activation.
How Protonics Works
Protonics® was designed to address the signs and symptoms related to Pelvic
Instability, and specifically Anterior Pelvic Tilt (APT), which can be an
important contributing factor to lower extremity kinematics. APT promotes an
overuse of the hip flexors, forward pelvic rotation, internal rotation of
the femur, external rotation of the tibia, medial displacement of the
femoral range of rotation, genu valgus, genu recurvatum, subtalar eversion,
and forefoot or rearfoot pronation. These pathokinesiologic effects on the
lower extremities can manifest in pain, which may occur in the knee, hip and
lower back.11, 8, 10, 12
Recent studies suggest that the most effective approach to repositioning and
stabilizing the pelvis, is through the activation and strengthening of the
hamstrings, external abdominal obliques, and the gluteus maximus. The
hamstrings, which attach to the ischial tuberosities, help to rotate the
iliac bones backward relative to the sacrum and provide stability.
Protonics® patented resistance not only targets the activation of the
lateral hamstrings, but also relaxes/lengthens the opposing hip flexors.
This promotes a reduction in pelvic tilt and femoral internal rotation.
Studies show that a reduction of internal rotation of the femur and the
rotation of the tibia optimizes alignment and eases the lateral pull on the
patella.8, 12
Maintaining the pelvis in its balanced position and retraining the
hamstrings can eliminate the reoccurrence of this condition. Wearing the
Protonics® device during activities (retraining) is an essential part of
reaching this goal and can provide stability to an unbalanced pelvis.
Protonics® resistance is different than current isotonic and isometric
resistance, allowing changes to occur at a neurological and muscular level,
activating and inhibiting muscles at the same time. In addition to
activating the hamstrings, there is a mutual improvement to the knee flexion
response time of the vastus lateralis and knee extension response of the
quadriceps.
Protonics® has a programmable module that allows resistance to be set at the
appropriate level for each patient. The varied resistance, which operates
independently of velocity and gravity, promotes proper muscle activation
through the range of motion. This neuromuscular activity allows positive
changes to occur to a body that has been compensating due to physiological
challenges. With proper use, Protonics® can help undo compensatory patterns
allowing the rehabilitation process to occur in a balanced state.
Referenced Articles:
1.
The use of Resistance Therapy (Protonics®) with
Patients with Failed Back Syndrome –
Gold K, Franklin C, North C, Sukup C, Keating C, Nebraska Spine Center,
Omaha Nebraska, 2000
2. The Influence of
the Protonics® Knee Brace on Pelvic Position
– Antoun N, Kerns K, Kramer A, Saltis J, Teran B,
Thomas H, Trimble V, Wayland P, Lohman III E - Loma Linda University, 2000
3. The Protonics® Knee
Brace Unloads the Quadriceps Muscles in Healthy Subjects
– Earl J, Piazza S, Hertel J, Journal of Athletic Training - Volume 39,
No.1, March 2004
4. Electromyographical
Responses to Programmable Resistance (Protonics®) Knee Braces
– Fleisig GS, Jamison G, Zheng N, Andrews JR,
Lemak LJ, American Society of Biomechanics Presentation, August 1998
5. Management of a
Woman Diagnosed with Trochanteric Bursitis with the Use of a Protonics®
System – Boyle K, Jansa S, Lauseng C,
Lewis C, Journal of the Section on Womens Health- March 2003
6. The Effects of
Pelvic Movement on Lumbar Lordosis in the Standing Position
– Levine D, Whittle MW, JOSPT – September 1996:24:3
7. How does the
Protonics® knee brace/exercise device affect knee muscle activity during
functional tasks – Karst G, Willet G,
Rovang D, Miller D, Physical Therapy, 1998
8. Chronic
Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome: alternatives for cases of therapy resistance–
Schneider F, Wagner S, Labs K. University of Berlin, Knee Surgery Sports
Traumatol, Arthroscopic, No9, 2001
9. Patellofemoral
Kinematics During Weight-Bearing and Non-Weight-Bearing Knee Extension in
Persons With Lateral Subluxation of the Patella
– Mascal C, Landel R, Powers C, JOSPT Nov. 2003:33
10. Knee Version
Associated With Anterior Knee Pain –
Eckhoff DG, Brown AW, Kilcoyne RF, Stamm ER, Clinical Orthopaedics and
Related Research – 1997:339
11. Randomized
Controlled Trial of Protonics and Patellar Taping on Patellar Pain,
Position, and Function – Timm KE,
Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise, American College of Sports
Medicine, 1998
12. The Influence of
Tibial and Femoral Rotation on Patellofemoral Contact Area and Pressure
– Lee TQ, Morris G, Csintalan RP, JOSPT Nov. 2003:33
13. Hip Strength
in Females With and Without Patellofemoral Pain
– Ireland ML, Willson JD, Ballantyne BT, Davis IM, JOSPT Nov. 2003:33
