proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation

proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation (PNF),

an activity, such as a therapeutic technique, that helps initiate a proprioceptive response in a person. An example is a slow rocking movement that relaxes an anxious person by stimulating vestibular and proprioceptive nerve receptors. Techniques are used to facilitate total body responses or selective postural extensors.

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proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation (prōˈ·prē·ō·sepˑ·tiv nerˈ·ō·musˑ·ky·ler f·siˈ·li·tāˑ·shn),

n techniques designed to call into action the body's receptors that influence relaxation, muscle tone, and muscle lengthening.