The term “brain map” is something we toss around regularly in LYT. It’s one of the key principles behind how the LYT Method is so successful at helping people to move and feel better each and every day. It’s based on the principle of neuroplasticity, which is the brain’s ability to reorganize and form new neural connections in response to experience and learning. However, unless you’re a physical therapist, it’s not a term one hears in many other instances in life, so perhaps not everyone quite understands what we mean by it. Simply stated, a brain map is a route taken from the brain to the muscles of the body which allow it to move, so “brain mapping” is creating new and better routes.
Think of it this way…imagine driving to work every day and there are two routes you can take. Both routes will get you to your destination, but one route is a paved road and the other route is gravel. The gravel road may be more direct and even take a little less time, but the demand on the body of the car and the gas tank is greater in comparison to taking the paved road. So you start setting your alarm a little later because you know you can take the shorter route and it becomes your new normal. Another instance might be if your normal route to work is closed due to construction, so you take a detour over and over to get there and suddenly this new route becomes your new normal. In terms of brain mapping, these less optimal routes would be considered compensatory movement strategies.
Over the course of one’s life, people often develop compensatory movement strategies, whether due to an injury (road closed due to construction) or prolonged work or athletic demands (gravel road), which may not be the best route available to the body. These movement compensations can lead to a functional decline over time and be related to poor functional capacity in the future. Brain mapping, also known as movement repatterning, is aimed at facilitating the brain’s rewiring process (improving the route), allowing it to adapt and relearn proper movement strategies. Specifically, it involves improving communication between the nervous system and muscles, enhancing motor control, and functional movement repatterning.
Communication between the nervous system and muscles begins with proprioception retraining. Proprioception is the body’s awareness of where it is in space, so activities including balance and stability (found in every LYT class) are integral in brain mapping. Motor control is the ability to initiate, coordinate and control movements. Brain mapping for motor control involves retraining the brain to activate specific muscles in the correct sequence and with the appropriate timing. This includes both isolated muscle activation (think of our Reset) and functional movement patterns (our moves in the Sequences and Stream). Finally, functional movement repatterning involves correcting faulty movement patterns and reestablishing proper biomechanics (think of how we hinge at the hips instead of folding forward at the spine). These targeted activities and exercises promote optimal movement patterns and discourage compensatory strategies.
So every time we get on our LYT mat to practice, we are brain mapping. By progressively challenging our abilities, we can regain confidence in our bodies to move and heal and improve our overall function. Sure sounds like a win-win situation to me! Until then, I’ll see you on the mat!
Xoxo,
Kristin
