In the last few years there has been alot of research and interest in the brain and it’s effects on the body.

Many people have heard of the book “The Brain That Changed Itself” where the plasticity of the brain is discussed at length.

In the world of Physiotherapy there has been a lot of research looking at the relationship between pain, movement and the brain. Just as lack of use of a wasting limb results in wasting of the surrounding muscles, the lack of usage is reflected in the brain with less neurons in the given area. This has implications for returning an injured area to full function post pain and injury. The benefits of touching and looking at the injured area and visualising normal painfree movement of the area all assists full recovery. This should be combined with specific exercises for the muscles that have been affected by the pain or injury. Pain and injury often results in muscle weakness in the local area and beyond. To compensate for that weakness other muscle often tighten or become overactive.

Our physiotherapists are highly skilled at assisting with specific brain and muscle retraining post pain and injury to help you return to full function as soon as possible.

Published in “The Village Observer” August 2011, written by Burns Bay Physiotherapy.