- Anatomy of The Spine
- Back Pain in Children
- Caring for your Spine
- Emerging Spinecare Trends
- Evaluation of Spinal Disorders
- Exercise and The Spine
- Intervention - Spinal Disorders
- Intervertebral Disc
- Non Surgical Options
- Nutrition and Spinecare
- Options for Spine Treatments
- Pregnancy and Back Pain
- Prevalence of Spine Disorders
- Sleep and the Spine
- Spinecare Introduction
- Spinehealth and Disease
- Surgical Interventions
- Treatment with Medications
- Understanding Back Pain
Spinecare Topics
Exercise and The Spine
Training Neurological Efficiency
Training Neurological Efficiency
Training Neurological Efficiency
Nervous System
There is increasing evidence to support the theory that physical stress and the pattern and intensity of physical activity produces structural and biochemical changes in the peripheral and central nervous systems. The nervous system is dynamically changing and always responds and adapts to the stimuli and demands of life.
The central nervous system adapts to the demands placed on it. One of the ways that neurons adapt is thorough structural and functional changes, a process referred to as plasticity. Neural plasticity is a fundamental lifelong process that allows the brain and spinal cord to receive information and form appropriate adaptive responses to the same or similar stimuli. This is accomplished through the establishment of new and more efficient connections (synapses) between nerve cells and a change in the internal structure of neurons. This is a daily process that takes place between the nearly one trillion neurons in the brain. This dynamic process is driven and influenced by genetic factors, environmental stimuli and by the actions of the person.
The term synapse refers to the connection between nerves. The strengthening of some synapses and atrophy or loss of others is a process called pruning. Experience and repetition determines which nerve connections will be strengthened and which will be lost. Without adequate stimuli, nerve cells can die or whither. Cells that reach the end of their lifespan die via a process called apoptosis. Ineffective or weak nerve connections are essentially "pruned" in much the same way a gardener would remove a branch to give a plant the desired shape. This process allows for more efficient control and function of the body including muscle coordination and cognitive function. It has only been during the last two decades that an enormous body of research has emerged revealing that the brain never stops changing and adjusting. Short term memory including muscle memory also depends upon electrical and chemical events in the brain and spinal cord.
After brain injury plastic changes occur to help restore function. This is part of the healing process. This is felt to also occur within the spinal cord or the spinal nerves after injury. Chronic pain, poor posture, limited movement and muscle weakness can all contribute to the development of detrimental adaptation within the central nervous system. Sometimes adaptation can lead to detrimental changes, which may contribute to more chronic pain.
Nervous System
There is increasing evidence to support the theory that physical stress and the pattern and intensity of physical activity produces structural and biochemical changes in the peripheral and central nervous systems. The nervous system is dynamically changing and always responds and adapts to the stimuli and demands of life.
The central nervous system adapts to the demands placed on it. One of the ways that neurons adapt is thorough structural and functional changes, a process referred to as plasticity. Neural plasticity is a fundamental lifelong process that allows the brain and spinal cord to receive information and form appropriate adaptive responses to the same or similar stimuli. This is accomplished through the establishment of new and more efficient connections (synapses) between nerve cells and a change in the internal structure of neurons. This is a daily process that takes place between the nearly one trillion neurons in the brain. This dynamic process is driven and influenced by genetic factors, environmental stimuli and by the actions of the person.
The term synapse refers to the connection between nerves. The strengthening of some synapses and atrophy or loss of others is a process called pruning. Experience and repetition determines which nerve connections will be strengthened and which will be lost. Without adequate stimuli, nerve cells can die or whither. Cells that reach the end of their lifespan die via a process called apoptosis. Ineffective or weak nerve connections are essentially "pruned" in much the same way a gardener would remove a branch to give a plant the desired shape. This process allows for more efficient control and function of the body including muscle coordination and cognitive function. It has only been during the last two decades that an enormous body of research has emerged revealing that the brain never stops changing and adjusting. Short term memory including muscle memory also depends upon electrical and chemical events in the brain and spinal cord.
After brain injury plastic changes occur to help restore function. This is part of the healing process. This is felt to also occur within the spinal cord or the spinal nerves after injury. Chronic pain, poor posture, limited movement and muscle weakness can all contribute to the development of detrimental adaptation within the central nervous system. Sometimes adaptation can lead to detrimental changes, which may contribute to more chronic pain.
