Do you know what happens to the brain when you feel pain? In an effort to feel less pain the brain signals the body to stop moving the painful part/s. People respond by applying liniment, heat, ice or seeking professional therapy such as Registered Massage Therapy. While rehabilitating from the pain the individual will adapt by functioning differently in order to perform daily activities. We call this “compensating” by moving other parts and not including or reducing the movement of the painful part. When the person begins to be pain free again and rehabilitation has taken some time the brains image of itself will maintain the adapted pattern of functional movement without returning to the original more functional way. This neuroplasticity (ability to change) of the brain will require some specialized therapy to re-habit back to the more functional way of moving. A Feldenkrais Practitioner can help this process.

Roxanne Derkson RMT GCFP, VIVI Therapy
www.vivitherapy.com