DNS AND BUSINESS GROWTH, PART I
Dynamic Neuromuscular Stabilization (DNS) is a rehabilitation and human performance-enhancement approach rooted in developmental kinesiology, primarily developed by the Prague School of Rehabilitation. It’s a fancy way of saying that healthy infants progress through a predictable sequence of motor milestones (like rolling over, crawling, standing, and walking) without being taught. These patterns represent optimal neuromuscular strategies for stabilization and movement.
DNS is based on the idea that the human central nervous system (CNS) controls posture, movement, and stability through specific developmental movement patterns established during infancy. When the patterns don’t take place or they’re disrupted for some reason, DNS aims to restore these ideal movement patterns by retraining the brain to activate muscles in the correct sequence and synergy. The result is that the now-adolescent or adult can enjoy healthy posture, balance, and movement as they age. This is especially important for competitive athletes or people who are active.
In working with small business owners, I have observed a similar pattern in them as they launch and then grow and develop their companies. If you view business ownership as similar to elite athletic performance—with the owner functioning as the athlete—then a well-developed neuromuscular framework within the business becomes essential for sustained success.
Usually, there are telltale signs within the business when a similar “predictable sequence of motor milestones” has not taken place and the owner finds themselves struggling to grow or just maintain profitability. Among the more noticeable are the company’s ability to produce accurate and timely financial reports, a clearly articulated sense of direction and purpose, and the leadership to attract and keep the talent the company needs to continue its growth.
Invariably, when we receive a call from a business owner who’s struggling to grow their business, one or more of these milestones is missing.
When a company is new or when it’s smaller, many of these milestones go unnoticed. The company hasn’t reached sufficient size, speed, or complexity to feel the effect of their absence. It’s still relying on the adrenaline of the owner and a “command and control” leadership model to support its growth. These are usually identified by undisciplined financial habits, the owner working unsustainable hours, or high employee turnover within the company.
DNS therapy in humans doesn’t just treat symptoms like pain or weakness—it addresses how the body organizes movement, from the deep stabilizing muscles of the core to how limbs move in coordination. Once again, this is critical for people who want to remain active as they age, or who are competitive athletes where misalignments can spell the difference between winning and losing.
In Part II of this series, I’ll explore how to address out-of-balance motor milestones within a business to facilitate its continued profitable growth.
