Roods Approach to Treatment of Neuromuscular Dysfunction

Rood’s TheoryGoals and basic tenets of Rood’s theory

• Normalize muscle tone

• Treatment begins at the developmental level of functioning

• Movements is directed toward functional goals

• Repetition is necessary for the re-education of muscular response.

Sequence of motor development• Reciprocal inhibition (innervation)

Protective reaction

• Co-contraction (co-innervation)

Provides stability

• Heavy work

Mobility superimposed on stability

• Skill

Combines the effort of mobility and stability

Ontogenetic motor patterns

The sequence of motor development described previously occurs as the patient is put through the skeletal function sequence called ontogenetic motor patterns.

Ontogenetic motor patterns

Supine withdrawal (supine flexion)

• A total flexion response toward the vertebral level of T10.

• Aids in the integration of the TLR

• Recommended for patients dominated by extensor tone.

Ontogenetic motor patterns

(Continuation)Rollover (toward side lying)• Mobility pattern for the extremities and

activates lateral trunk musculature.• For patients who are dominated by tonic

neck reflex patterns in the supine position.

Ontogenetic motor patterns

(Continuation)

Pivot prone (prone extension)

• Demands full range of extension of the neck, shoulders, trunk, and lower extremity.

• This is called a mobility pattern and stability pattern

Ontogenetic motor patterns

(Continuation)

Neck co-contraction (co-innervation)

• First real stability pattern

• This position also promotes neck stability

and extraocular control

Ontogenetic motor patterns

(Continuation)

On elbows (prone on elbows)

• This position gives the patient better visibility of the environment.

All fours (quadruped position)

Ontogenetic motor patterns

(Continuation)

Static standing

• Thought to be a skill of the upper extremities for prehension and manipulation.

Specific Techniques Used in Treatment

Facilitation

A. Cutaneous Facilitation

Can be used to stimulate the exteroceptors of the skin.

• Light moving touch

• Fast brushing

• Icing

Specific Techniques Used in Treatment

B. Proprioceptive Facilitory Techniques

• Heavy Joint Compression

• Stretch

• Intrinsic Stretch

• Secondary Ending Stretch

• Stretch Pressure

Specific Techniques Used in Treatment

(Continuation)

B. Proprioceptive Facilitory Techniques

• Resistance

• Tapping

• Inversion

• Therapeutic Vibration

• Osteopressure

Specific Techniques Used in Treatment

Inhibition Techniques • Neutral warmth• Gentle shaking or rocking• Slow stroking• Slow rolling• Light joint compression (approximation)• Tendinous pressure• Maintained Stretch• Rocking in developmental patterns

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