When we move we like to think that we just think about moving and it happens.
Like when we want to reach out and grab that mug of coffee, our bodies just do it because we think it.
Now it kind of works like that but, theres a hell of a lot going on under the surface.
Why is that important I hear you cry.
Well, if any of the systems that relate to the task aren't functioning correctly or the sensory input isn't good quality, then that is going to hamper your brains ability to instruct the body to carry out the task.
It doesn't matter if it's grabbing a coffee or a 360 dunk.
Theres so much going on that I could write a book about it (we are). But for now and the case of keeping it digestible, I want to talk about the big three.
Your'e a GPS and its satellites.
Imagine you are a GPS. In order to work a GPS needs satellites sending it information and working with and off each other to pin point where it is.
Now you are just the same.
Your brain needs information about where it is in space from its three main sensory systems to figure out where you are in the environment and if you are safe.
These systems are in order of importance:
Your visual system (eyes)
Your vestibular system (balance)
Your proprioceptive system (body)
Your eyes are more important to how you move than anything else. its our main sensory system. Try walking across town with your eyes shut and see how your movement changes!
Now let's look at each of these.
VISION
Vision is your brain's most important system, just think how much moving in everyday life relies on your ability to see.
We think of 20/20 as “perfect vision.”
But vision can be improved just like any other skill.
Your eyes have muscles controlling their ability to move and just like any other muscle, they can be trained.
If you can see well the quality of information your brain can process increases. This then increases the ability you will have to move well.
The better your eyes work the safer you brain feels so it'll allow you to move better.
In real life, unlike the opticians, things move and we need the ability to see and track them clearly in order for the brain to feel safe enough to allow us to move.
In our membership programs, we train your eye’s ability to see clearly and move well, which has an instant effect on most members.
VESTIBULAR
Where am I going and which way is up?
Our vestibular system (in our inner ear) is a vitally important system to the brain and movement.
Without it we wouldn't be able to move as we wouldn't have much of an idea where we were moving to!
This system is automatic and we hardly even notice it but if theres a mis-match between the vestibular system and the other sensory systems it can have huge effects on our ability to move well.
Just think travel sickness!!!
This can cause muscles to and posture to change and lead to long term pain and movement problems.
As part of our membership, all of our course help retrain the vestibular system to function well.
PROPRIOCEPTIVE
Our movement map!
If you can't sense a limb, you won't be able to move it. And if you could, you wouldn't know where you had moved it to!
Being able to sense your joints and muscles is called proprioception.
The brain adapts to what it does everyday, and if you have mis-matched maps it won't feel safe allowing you to move.
Much like a GPS. all of your neural maps must match to build a clear picture of the world around you and how you are moving through it.
It these maps aren't working well together your ability to move will be hampered.
In our membership we train the proprioceptive system to move with control through the full range of motion.
These three systems make up the main bulk of systems and information you use to find your way in the world. If these systems all match up and send the same info then brilliant!
But if not, then your nervous system isn't going to feel that confident moving.
So it won't let you.
Usually it will give you restricted movement pain or anxiety.
Ever notice old injuries pop up at particularly stressful times in life? Funny that...
You brain can only deal with so much threat (life stress, job stress, money stress, injury, training etc...) before it can't compensate anymore.
When your threat bucket starts getting full up the nervous system starts shutting down your ability to move. Because it's feeling threatened.
Once that threat bucket overflows, you can't compensate for it any longer and something goes ping!
To counter that you need to work on getting good inputs into that brain. That means you gotta work those eyes, that inner ear and that body, especially if you are in pain currently or have movement problems.
Thats why our membership is different to anything else people try.
People usually come to us as a last chance saloon, having tried everything else.
Once we finally tackle the root of the problem, the nervous system, they can't believe it.
Remember. everything you have ever thought or done has come from the brain and nervous system first, and chronic pain is a symptom that shows up in the body but the cause is a sick nervous system.
Look after it.