Holistic Brain Change Therapy
Reflecting on Brain Plasticity
… by Dieter Luske – N.D.-D.C.H.-D.M.H.-D.H
Brain Plasticity is a term used to explain the well-recognised capabilities of the brain to change (plasticity) in reaction to physical or mental stimuli.
Book Recommendation:
Brain Plasticity has become familiar in recent years due to the release of excellent scientific research. I recommend everyone interested in that topic to read it.
The Brain That Changes Itself – by Norman Doige, MD
My perspective on viewing and employing the concept of brain plasticity is influenced by a lifetime of study into holistic natural therapies, exploring all possible avenues of mind & body therapies. I urge all Holistic Practitioners to embrace the Brain Plasticity Concept within their specific holistic healing modality.
Without getting too scientific and without plagiarising above mentioned books, I will provide information to appreciate the scope of Brain Plasticity, its implication for therapeutic applications, and implementing Brain Plasticity Concepts into Holistic Natural Therapies.
Brain plasticity takes into account changes in neural pathways due to “Changes” produced by “Stimuli“, such as; accidents, strokes, diseases, environment, behaviour, attitudes, emotions, and stimuli from all of our senses.
Once those changes have occurred, brain plasticity provides the possibility to “re-change” or “re-educate” brain functions to repair or create new pathways for more optimal desired “brain-body functions”, instigated by “stimuli“; this time, focused on the positive type of stimuli.
Recent neuroscientific research indicates that any type of sensory stimuli can profoundly change the brain’s physical structure and functional organisational aspects.
In other words, the brain can, and does, change in response to hitherto unsuspected stimuli.
The role of brain-neuro plasticity is now widely recognised and accepted, and ongoing research to enhance the effectiveness and speed of treatment is pursued worldwide.
To summarise, the brain and its functions can be changed, and those changes can be activated and used for the treatment of learning difficulties, stroke rehabilitation, and chronic type pain such as; backache, nerve injury, and even irritable bowel pain.
Research and treatments have successfully treated phantom limb pain due to amputation and cancer-related pain.
The scope of treatment is inspiring and has only touched a fraction of its possibilities so far.
Name any disease or functional deficit, and you will find someone is researching causes and therapies for it already. New research and studies have brought hope to many sufferers, specifically for chronic problems where the medical system has failed to find solutions.
Brain Plasticity Therapy development is not exclusive to the medical research profession.
Holistic Complementary Therapy, which has used brain change techniques for hundreds of years, could be better equipped to work on functional non-invasive therapy within this new “Holistic Brain Change Therapy” treatment modality.
Meditation, visualisation, hypnosis and energy-based healing methods are perfect for brain change stimuli, and so are physical treatments like therapeutic massage, or the Feldenkreis technique, just to name two.
On the other hand, with their study of direct electric brain stimuli, or internal light laser therapy, the medical profession may be able to speed up brain change with dramatic results.
Regarding speed, non-invasive brain plasticity therapy is a slow but rewarding process.
Holistic Brain Change Therapy has a unique emphasis and role for the patient, “Active Involvement“.
Most patients within the medical system are used to being the “obedient passive patient”.
In Brain Plasticity, as in all Holistic Therapy modalities, the patient must become active and take responsibility for their health.
Holistic Therapies to influence brain plasticity are already well known. Affirmation, meditation, visualisation, art and sound stimuli therapies, remedial bodywork, acupuncture, emotional freedom therapy EFT, Feldenkrais, Yoga, Thai Chi, and even aroma therapy strongly influence our sense of smell as a brain stimulus.
The list of possibilities is nearly endless, and it will be essential to combine and stack up different therapy modalities to amplify and intensify a lasting healing effect.
(re-education of the brain for new pathways or connections takes up to 6 weeks)
Motivation, counselling or coaching are also necessary; NLP and Hypnosis have much to offer and can further enhance effectiveness.
Brain Plasticity may well be the therapy of the future, and yes, it can also be used for preventative purposes.
…. and may I add, the “Placebo Effect” has been proven to have brain-changing abilities …
Article by Dieter Luske – N.D.-D.C.H.-D.M.H.-D.H
Non-fiction writer – Memoirs – Holistic Lifestyle Philosophy
facebook.com/dieter.luske/
*Disclaimer: The information provided is intended for general/personal use only. It should NOt be understood as medical advice.
