Your Internal GPS – the Relationship Between Functional Neurology and Movement

By Varya Kapran

Guest Writer for Wake Up World

Today I am going to provide you with the basis for a practical understanding of the relationship between functional neurology and movement. In other words: how your brain gathers information, and how that affects movement, physical performance, weight loss, and pain-management.

Your Internal GPS

Let’s imagine you’re on a road trip. You’re excited – you’ve got plenty of beef jerky, coconut water, and your vibrams are packed. You enter your destination in your GPS, and off you go.

Having used a GPS before, you know a few things right off the bat:

(1) the GPS uses information from several satellites to guide you and create a virtual map, and

(2) it is wrong sometimes/often, and this really sucks, especially when you end up in a field instead of your hotel.

In this analogy:

– the GPS computer is your brain (in particular your cerebellum which is responsible for integrating information)

– the three satellites that gather information are the visual (eyes), vestibular (inner ear) and proprioceptive systems (the sum of your joint/muscle/other receptors)

– the map you see on the screen is the virtual map of you and your environment that your brain creates from the integration of available sensory information, past experience, and other factors

– the commands voiced in a lovely Australian accent are the motor commands that your brain sends to create movement with your body.

So let’s say that you’re driving, and the information from the satellites is accurate, the GPS computer is working fine, then the map is accurate, and the commands instruct you to turn in the right places. You’re enjoying your trip, you’re not tense, you’re driving confidently, and you arrive safely. This is the case if the whole system is functioning optimally – you have full range of motion, no injury or pain, your balance is good, your posture is tall, you are confident in your movements.

But what if one of the following issues occurs?

1. one or more of the satellites are not sending sufficient information
2. one or more of the satellites are sending incorrect information
3. the GPS is having a computer glitch and is not integrating the information from the satellites properly
4. the commands and map are inaccurate as a result of any one or combo of the above issues

How do you think you would drive in that case? Most likely, you would drive more slowly, be more cautious, maybe even tense your face and hunch a little as you desperately look for the right turn, and as a result of all these factors, you would unfortunately have a much higher risk of getting into an accident.

Now… Let’s translate those symptoms to the body.

If your information/integration/map is inaccurate, your brain, whose main priority is always your survival, will take steps to protect you from injury (or worse) by being more cautious. This manifests itself in decreased range of motion, a more rounded posture and widened stance that brings you closer to the ground (to decrease risk of falling), muscular tension, inefficient breathing (all of these are symptoms of stress), and even pain (due to map inaccuracy).

Does any of that sound familiar?

GPS Malfunctions = Sensory Mismatch = Startle

CONTINUE READING

Previous articles by Varya:

• The Cycle of Change
• Your Body is Not a Tool
• I Am. You Are. Perfectly Imperfect.
• (re)Discover Your Inner Sexy!
• Loving Your Skin – 10 Essential Natural Topical Treatments
• Healing From Loss
• Home-Made Salted Caramel Recipe (+ Chocolate Option!)
• It’s Time To Come Home
• Is Your Diet Healthy for You? A Guide to Optimal Health
• 15-Minute Flourless Double-Chocolate Cookies Recipe (YUMMM!)
• Manifest[-ing] Love

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