The functioning of the human brain is a wonderful, fascinating area of study. There are many phenomena that interest researchers today, all of which bring us ever closer to understanding how humans operate. While the brain is far from being completely understood, scientists have discovered important ways that this organ takes care of itself and provides for the rest of the body. Knowledge about the brain extends past psychology to all branches of medicine. Physical therapy, in particular, has developed its practices according to knowledge about how the brain heals after serious physical trauma.
Neuroplasticity, or brain plasticity, is the function of the brain that makes it possible for the human body to re-learn the functions it may have lost information about. This article delves into brain plasticity, and how physical therapists take advantage of this phenomenon to help patients regain greater independence, functionality, and quality of life.
What is brain plasticity?
One misconception commonly held about the human brain is that it is stagnant. We learn about the stages of human development, from childhood to adulthood, and which areas of the brain develop at different times in a person’s life. This leads many to believe that past a certain age, the brain no longer undergoes changes and brain development ends.
But that’s not the case – by nature, the brain is malleable, and can adjust to much more extreme conditions than we give it credit for. When injuries to the brain damage neurons and cause physical disabilities, it is possible to retrain the brain to understand different activities through repetition. When presented with new information, the brain rewires itself and creates new connections to allow still-functioning areas of the brain to compensate for parts that no longer work.
How physical therapy uses brain plasticity
With this knowledge about the brain’s ability to recover, we can treat a huge variety of serious conditions. Most physical therapy activities utilize repetition as an essential behavior in retraining the brain to accept specific movements. By repeating the same movement or exercise over and over again, increasing intensity when possible, the brain rewires itself to be able to handle more and more activity. For example, specific strength training exercises isolate muscles and train them to take on the burden of less functioning muscle groups (useful for neck, spine, and back injuries).
Knowing the true power of the brain in healing adverse physical conditions gives us the ability to participate in another crucial practice associated with successful physical therapy: having faith in one’s ability to recover.
Core 3 Physical Therapy is the go-to resource in Pennsylvania for physical therapy services and expertise. Our staff is trained in a wide range of practices, from women’s health and wellness to recovery from serious neurological disorders. We are a walk-in practice – no referral is required to access our services. To learn more about how our physical therapists change lives for the better, visit our website or set up an appointment today for yourself or a loved one. We’re excited to work with you towards healing your body and mind.
