Neuromuscular Physiotherapy Retraining
Neuromuscular retraining combines mental focus with physical movement. The brain and nervous system pathways to the muscles are trained with muscles. This type of training is more long-lasting and meaningful.
Have you been strengthening and you are still in pain? Does nothing seem to stay cheanged when you exercise? Are trying to change your posture, change the way you walk or move after an injury?
This is how neuromuscular retraining works…
As we exercise the part of the brain that represents particular muscles grows neurons that represent that pattern of movements. The nerves develop a stronger connection; they switch on faster and more easily. There is a saying “What fires together, wires together”.
This is the basis for part of “neuromuscular retraining”.
Changes can be made very quickly with this type of “focused practice”, all it takes is motivation and commitment.
4 ingredients for retraining the brain and body are;
- concentration/ focus (don’t watch TV while doing these exercises!)
- daily practice
- repetition
- positive reinforcement (give yourself a pat on the back for every time you get it right)
Sometimes we need to teach a muscle to switch off
When a muscle has been tense for an extended period of time, or a physical habit has developed, the area of the brain devoted to that muscular region becomes more efficient (as described above) and the associated nerve pathway becomes well established.
It is often necessary to quieten an overactive muscle so we can then get an underactive muscle to function. To stop overusing a muscle “muscle meditation” is a useful tool.
How to do “Muscle Meditation”
Muscle Meditation is a technique where you focus intently on the muscle you want to teach to relax by touching it lightly and concentrating on it melting and ‘releasing’ it.