Plasticity: The Brain and Body

Neural plasticity is a term you can search and most of what you will find discusses the ability for the brain to adapt to an input. We have all experienced this whether we know it or not. Every time you attempt to learn something new, you encounter unforeseen circumstances, or you attempt to solve a new problem, your brain is adapting. This has been dubbed plasticity, and although the brain is the most obvious structure to demonstrate this, the body displays plasticity as well.

Let’s use Stretch Armstrong as a case study. For those that are not familiar, he is an elastic children’s toy that can stretch beyond belief. Stretch is made from elastic materials that allow him to change his shape quite readily. Once you are done stretching him, he returns to his original shape and size. This will sound a bit nuts, but the truth is our bodies do the same thing, only to a more subtle degree. All of our tissues do this to some extent, all of them. Whether we are talking brains, bones, muscles, or any other tissues. They all possess this characteristic.

We get in to trouble when we lose this ability. This is what happens to our elders during the aging process. The elasticity of tissues begins to decrease and things like bones become stiff and brittle. Tendons lose their spring and walking becomes more effortful. Brains have a tougher time distilling new information or recalling older information. Plasticity makes us efficient and promotes our ability to adapt to a constantly changing environment.

In my work as a physical therapist, I spend a great deal of time with my patients reconstituting the plastic capabilities of their body. Once tissues regain their ability to alter their shape, store energy and effortlessly apply it to a desired situation, pain tends to diminish. Creating motion and participating in the activities we love is then restored.

Austin Ulrich, Physical Therapist