Did you know that pain is usually not an indicator–it's a side effect.

Are traditional healthcare professionals missing a crucial aspect of physical health by concentrating only on muscles, tendons, joints, ligaments, and bones?

As our insights into the human body evolve, the significance of the nervous system in physical health becomes undeniable. The brain's protective strategies, in particular, are emerging as vital components in addressing pain and injuries.

The conventional patho-anatomical model dominates traditional healthcare approaches, which focus primarily on the physical structure of the affected area. For instance, if you're experiencing knee pain, the knee becomes the centre of attention. There are some occasions where the pathology is most important.

However, this model has its drawbacks. Notably, it overlooks the nervous system's protective role in the majority of cases involving pain, aches, stiffness, and weakness.

Enter neuroscience – our ally in uncovering how the nervous system safeguards our bodies. By learning to diminish this protective mode, we experience not only immediate relief from pain but also lasting improvements.

Pain, as it turns out, is mainly a reaction to protection.

One common protective measure is excessive muscle activity, known as muscle guarding.  It's the nervous system that stimulates the muscles to guard.  By alleviating this over-activity, we can simultaneously reduce pain, aches, and stiffness while boosting strength.

Explore typical outcomes of this neuroscience-informed approach here: https://www.youngify.com.au/results-after-treatment

What's groundbreaking about this neuroscience perspective is recognizing the body’s interconnectedness. A neck issue, for instance, could trigger knee pain due to the nervous system's intricate pathways. This insight underscores the necessity for unique personalized treatment since each body reacts differently, even to identical issues.

For practitioners, embracing this understanding is indispensable for providing the most comprehensive care.

In summary, it is important to recognise the influential role that the brain and nervous system have on physical health. Through an understanding of and response to the brain's protective strategies, we can realize more rapid and lasting solutions for pain and injuries.

By Michael Ridgway

Principal | Youngify–Where Neuroscience Bridges the Gap with Physiotherapy