In my experience, I have found that my recovery process has been a holistic process. What I mean by holistic is that I have needed to engage both my mind, soul, body and spirit in the my ability to heal and recover. During the past 33 or so articles here on Create a Spark of Hope I have shared and spoken to what has helped me to heal and recover in my mind, soul and spirit. In the next several articles I would like to share and speak to what has helped me to heal and recover in my body as I have found that my recovery process has involved each of these areas.
Unbeknownst to me for the past 17, going on 18 years; I had been participating in a process that has been serving to heal my body. The process has not only been serving to heal my body, but has been creating new neural pathways in my brain. The creation of these new neural pathways has given me the ability to accomplish things that I never dreamed possible. My ability to accomplish these things developed over a period of time through ongoing and endless repetitions. Several years ago, I discovered that I had been using a recently coined principle.
Neuroplasticity, also known as brain plasticity, is an umbrella term that encompasses both synaptic plasticity and non-synaptic plasticity—it refers to changes in neural pathways and synapses due to changes in behavior, environment, neural processes, thinking, and emotions – as well as to changes resulting from bodily injury.[1] The concept of neuroplasticity has replaced the formerly held position that the brain is a physiologically static organ, and explores how – and in which ways – the brain changes in the course of a lifetime. Wikipedia
In my experience, I have used different martial arts and boxing disciplines to train my brain to be able to execute skills on both sides of my body. In my experience, training in these different systems and disciplines has helped me to develop and mirror similar skills in both my dominant and non-dominant sides of my body. I am not advocating martial arts as a way to develop and mirror similar skills on both sides of your body, but I would encourage you to begin a program in which you begin to develop and mirror similar skills on your dominant and non-dominant sides.
I have written an article that you may find to be helpful in learning to develop similar skills on both sides of your body. By developing these skills you will enhance your recover process and accomplish things that you never dreamed possible. The information that I share in this article that you can read by clicking on this link: Neuroplasticity, Small Successes and Learning / Relearning Skill Sets can help you to begin this process. And as has been in my experience, this is a process, so give yourself time to develop new skills. And be encouraged my friend. By staying committed to the process before long we will be able to look back and see how far we have come, because we did not give up. In the process, we will create hope in our lives.
As you read my articles and questions come to mind, please send those questions to me. All questions are good questions. You have my permission to share the articles that I write and publish on Create a Spark of Hope. My only request is to attribute me as being the author and provide a link back to Create a Spark of Hope. Thank you. Copyright, 2015
Jim Stenhouse says
Very impressive
Thanks for taking the time to put your thoughts into words and share them so generously.
Jim Stenhouse
Craig J. Phillips MRC, BA says
Hi Jim,
You are welcome Sir. Thank you for leaving a comment. I am honored by your time and kindness Jim.
Have a great day my friend.
Craig