How to plan for better health
There are many modalities of rehabilitation and just as many schools of thought regarding rehabilitation of injuries. The singular thread of commonality between these approaches is that in order for injury healing to occur we must look to leverage the innate human capability of plasticity - that is the ability to continuously resculpture and change.
This change occurs in two domains, in the tissues (physical) & in the nervous system (mind). When we experience pain it is both multifaceted experience which reveals to us that mind, body and spirit are inseparable parts of you. Therefore injury healing requires us to become knowledgeable in the theory and application of physical & behavioural science.
Plasticity
Plasticity, in the context of tissue and neural function, refers to the ability of cells and neural networks to adapt, remodel, and reorganize in response to changes or damage. In tissues, plasticity enables cells to heal, regenerate, or alter their structure under stress or injury. Neural plasticity, or neuroplasticity, specifically describes the brain's capacity to form and reorganize synaptic connections, allowing it to recover from injuries, adapt to new learning, and modify behavior based on experience. Together, these forms of plasticity highlight the adaptability of biological systems to maintain function and promote healing.
Tissue function
Our bodies are designed in such a way that every organ system serves the purpose of providing fuel to the myofascial & musculoskeletal systems. This is due to the fact that it is these systems which allow us to manipulate our external environment and express ourselves, movement is life and without movement we cease to exists.
The tissues of our body have six primary characteristics, namely strength, stability, mobility, elasticity, endurance and capacity to hold emotions. The quality of these characteristics will determine our ability to distribute the force of gravity through our body (posture), conduct our daily and sporting activities and also maintain a consistent and reliable resilience to the challenges of our outer environment and inner conflicts.
Tissue dysfunction
The causes of tissue dysfunction have been discussed extensively in the following articles
In summary, asymmetry of loading I.e overworked & underworked tissues, lack of fluid flow and poorly healed injuries all lead to dysfunctional tissue (fascia, muscle, tendon, ligament & bone).
Tissue plasticity
This is able to take place when we understand the map of our movement and therefore our body itself. Where do we move well? Where don’t we like to move from? Where am I lazy and where am I overworked? By bringing balance to our body and learning how to move in a manner that serves us rather than enslaving us, we can begin to not only restore but also greatly enhance the properties and functioning of our physical tissues. This makes them readily available, reliant and resilient to all types of stress.
This is achieved by working initially in a 1:1 setting with a teacher that is able to help you explore this map and guide you on how to best implement change. Tissue adaptation occurs with accumulated stimulation (multiple times per week). Therefore it is of vital importance that you put into practice the newly learned tools away from your private sessions.
Neural plasticity
This refers to how we mentally and emotionally connect with ourselves and our injury. A belief in the ability to make positive change in the body is a non-negotiable prerequisite for healing from injury. Not only does our body speak its own mind but it also has an incredible ability to adapt itself to the constellation of our thoughts and beliefs.
The connections between our mind and body shape the organisation of our movement. These connections will lead to efficient and pleasurable movement or on the other hand movement that relays information back into the meaning-making centres of the brain telling it that danger is imminent. An example of this is when we have an under active mind-body connection in our trunk/core musculature. When we conduct our movement there is a certain amount of energy that is generated to complete the task. When the brain perceives that this energy is not available in the trunk musculature it will bring online muscles which lie over the spine to do the job. These muscles are designed to perform like rely runners rather than marathon runners. As this movement trait becomes the default option for the brain, the musculature of the spine will begin to tighten in response to overload. Receptors in the muscle tissue which detect compression and strain will then send signal up to the brain via the nervous system about the state of affairs, resulting in pain.
Creating positive movement experiences against a backdrop of anatomical understanding, a clear and enjoyable movement programme and an ever present awareness of the influential roles of social factors in our healing, all contribute to our ability to leverage plasticity. Neural plasticity ultimately refers to the way that we conduct the orchestra of our body, the better we get at doing this the more agency we gain, eventually leading to the pain alarm system receding into obscurity.
Union of Tissue & Neural Plasticity
Plasticity occurs with or without our cognitive input, yet the outcomes of directed and passive plasticity vary greatly. Tissue plasticity in the absence of intelligent movement practice will lead to stiffening of joints and poorly distributed force through the myofascia, leading to pain & discomfort. Similarly neural plasticity takes a similar route if left unchecked. Shining the light of conscious awareness on plasticity leads to improved health in the physical, psychological & emotional realms.
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