Did you know that June is Brain Awareness month? Neither did we! However, we feel this topic is too important to skip over (better late than never, right?). This month we will be sharing ways to help you take care of one of your most important organs: YOUR BRAIN.
Did you know that:
- Your brain has over 100 billion neurons.
- Your brain weighs around 3 pounds (regardless if you went to Clemson or USC).
- 75% of your brain is water.
The list of amazing facts about your brain is endless, but why is it so valuable?
Your brain is one of the most amazing, vital, vibrant, and active organs in your body. Your brain is constantly receiving input signals from your nervous system. It then takes that information, processes it, and sends output signals to the rest of your body. It does this 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Several regions of the brain work together to make decisions and perform functions. For example: think of your grandma. You might be able to picture her in your mind (visual). You might be able to smell her (olfactory). You might be sad or happy (emotional). You might hear her talking to you (auditory). All these functions of your brain are working together to create the memory of your grandma.
What does this have to do with physical therapy? The brain deals with pain in a similar way.
If you stub your toe, the brain receives the input from your body, has a meeting to go over the information given, and then gives the appropriate output. This process of the brain using a network of neurons to have a meeting and process the data is called the Neuromatrix theory of pain. The painful input is interpreted by the brain based on subjective experiences, perceptions, and beliefs.
As an example, let’s say today is your birthday. So far today, you had the morning off, slept in, ate your favorite breakfast and later tonight there is a party in your honor. Overall, it’s been a pretty good day leaving you in a great mood. While walking into your favorite coffee shop, you stub your toe on the door. Your brain will process all the information of the stubbed toe based on your subjective experience of the circumstances (good day/mood) and say no big deal.
However, if it was raining, you’re running late because you didn’t sleep well, and work or family life is stressful, and THEN you stub your toe; well your brain is going to interpret that input differently. You’re probably going to yell OUCH and maybe say a few choice words.
Same input but the brain perceived it differently.
That is 2 instances of how amazing your brain is and how changeable it can be. Also known as the neuroplasticity of your brain. Over the next few weeks, we will be sharing ways you can help change your brain for the better and be the best it can be.
