In order to help the brain re-pattern with more effective movement patterns, certain conditions need to be present in order to facilitate this process.

One of the conditions, and it’s a big one, is “Movement with Attention”.  Most experts agree that movement (often referred to as “exercise”) is central to our health and well being.  It is important to note that movement alone, done repetitiously, without attention, does not provide the brain with any new information.  In fact, movement done in this way will only help to groove already existing brain patterns more deeply.  Research shows that as soon as we bring attention to our movements, the brain resumes growing new connections and creating new neural pathways.  This in turn helps us create new possibilities for ourselves.

A second key condition is “Reducing the Effort”.  We can only do fast what we already know.  In order to begin creating new movement patterns, we need to be able to feel what it is that we are doing.  In order to do that, we need to move slowly.

Here we discuss the importance of the Weber-Fechner Law, and how it can be applied to refining human functioning.  By reducing our efforts, kinesthetic-sensory acuity is improved and it becomes possible for a person to make fine distinctions about what they are doing and to become aware of unconscious or unknown aspects of their physical organization, movement, and action.

Through this practical application of the Weber-Fechner Law to functional movement, we have the means for optimizing learning, improvement and rehabilitation.

Chronic pain is often caused by dysfunctional movement patterns. Our brains have the ability to learn how to move better, fixing this patterns and moving pain free. Chronic pain relief expert Chad Estes explains why this is and how breaking these habits bring relief.

Dysfunctional motor patterns in the brain can be fixed – if you want to think of it that way. However, if you look at it as something that needs to be “fixed”, you are assuming that that something is broken.  I prefer to look at it from a learning perspective.

We all have the ability to LEARN to do better – in everything that we do.

In terms of movement, there are two ways in the brain can quickly be re-patterned with more effective movement patterns.  I can work with a person one-on-one – this is called “Functional Integration” or “Functional Synthesis”.  The second method, which works wonderfully in larger groups, works through participation in various verbally directed movement lessons.

We don’t tell people that there is a “right’ or “wrong” way to accomplish something.  We simply provide movement experiences for the nervous system in order to give it more complete information so that better choices can be made when organizing action/ movement.

When more effective solutions are available, better choices are made when organizing movement.  When that happens, the effects of dysfunctional movement, such as chronic pain in your back and or neck, simply begin to fade away.

Learn more in this brief video below from Chad’s talk to the American Society for Pain Management Nursing…

How is movement generated?  Are we hard wired in at birth with all of the movement patterns that we’ll need in order to effectively navigate our world?  The answer is a resounding “NO”.

The brain is the CEO of all that we do.  It is the great organizer of all movement.  And we go through a very long apprenticeship process in order to learn how to do everything it is that we do.

Unfortunately, even development of our neuromuscular systems and the way we move is rarely the case – we learn just well enough to accomplish something.  The residual effects of poorly organized movement are almost non-perceptible to the normal person until enough cumulative trauma develops, which, in turn, begins to be recognized as chronic pain.

The good news is that the motor maps in our brain can be reorganized, and more effective, functional movement patterns can be developed.  When more effective, functional movement patterns are developed, and we begin to move away from dysfunctional motor patterns, chronic pain often times seems to disappear.