Skip to main content

Virtual Body in the management of ongoing/persistent pain otherwise known as Graded Motor Imagery GMI

If you have developed an aversion to certain everyday activities due to ongoing pain e.g. bending down, picking up a child, walking or sitting for long periods it is most likely due to the fact that the brain has retained the information previously experienced in the acute phase of the injury and remembers these activities as being “dangerous” and remains in a hyper protective state. The brain then sends the same protective messages to prevent you from engaging in the said tasks. This leads to a cycle of fear and avoidance and reinforcing the “danger” message.

In recent years elite athletes have been using their imagination to improve their performance without actually physically engaging in the said activity. This is based on the knowledge of neuroscience and has had great success.

There is some evidence to show that the brain’s activation is greater when visualising yourself performing a movement than if you are actually performing. (Graded Motor Imagery G. Lorimer Moseley; David S.Butler; Timoth B.Beames Ch3 pg 71)

In the same way you can enhance performance of a skill using visualisation , the brain can learn to be less over protective and enable engagement in those everyday activities that we want and need to perform.

Graded Motor Imagery is an evidence based, graded brain training programme which accesses the Virtual body in the brain.

How it works: The Sensory motor cortex in our brain, has virtual map of your body and there are hundreds & thousands of brain cells/neurones that represent every part of your body (see image below)

NB: Neurones are replaced every 3-4 days throughout the life span and so there is always room for the brain to learn new tricks!!!

Using visualisation to see your self performing a certain movement pain free/symptom free then stimulates the neurones on that part of the virtual map to be activated and retain the more positive experience. This is retraining the brain to complete the action safely and is replacing the old map with a new one. Over time this will translate into actual performance and engagement in the chosen activity.

Of course this doesn’t happen overnight!! It requires practice, commitment and above all patience. For an easy to watch and understand video go to this website: Graded Motor Imagery

Labels:

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Why Sensory Assessment Matters for Neurodivergence

People with Autism, ADHD, or a sensory processing disorder experience the world differently. Many have unique sensory needs, such as sensitivity to noise or touch, while others may seek intense stimulation to regulate their emotions. Understanding these differences is key to creating strategies that support comfort and participation in everyday life. Understanding Sensory Profiles Lifeworks Occupational Therapy provides sensory assessments, helping people understand how they experience the world and how best to meet their needs. Sensory differences may involve hypersensitivity (over-responsiveness) or hyposensitivity (under-responsiveness) to stimuli like light, sound, smell, taste, touch, movement, and body awareness. For example, someone may find bright lights overwhelming or seek spinning to feel balanced, while others may not register pain or crave deep pressure. Sensory processing differences impact daily activities, including sleep, eating, personal space, and social interactions...
Post a Comment
Read more

Unraveling the Complexities of Functional Neurological Disorder: Insights from a Masterclass

Functional Neurological Disorder (FND) is a challenging condition that has gained increased attention in recent years, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic. On March 23, 2024, I had the privilege of attending a masterclass titled “Working with Functional Neurological Disorder: Current Diagnostic and Treatment Approaches,” presented by Dr. Vance Locke, a clinical psychologist from the University of Western Australia, and Mr. Rowan Pearce, a senior physiotherapist and head of the Complex Care Clinic at Western Kids Health. The seminar, organized by the Australian Association for Cognitive and Behaviour Therapy, shed light on the latest developments in diagnosing and treating FND, providing valuable insights for practitioners working with individuals affected by this condition. The Growing Importance of FND: Dr. Locke and Mr. Pearce began by discussing the increasing prevalence of FND, which has become more apparent during the COVID-19 pandemic. They highlighted potential links betwe...
Post a Comment
Read more

What is Scrambler Therapy?

Scrambler Therapy, also called ‘Calmare’ (Italian for “to soothe or ease”) is a drug-free and non-invasive treatment for nerve and cancer-related pain. Scrambler Therapy is a form of ‘neuromodulation’ . Neuromodulation is a long word, but it is easier to understand when we break it down: neuro relates to ‘nerves or the nervous system’ and modulation relates to ‘changing’ . Therefore, neuromodulation simply means “changing the way the nerves or nervous system behave”. How does Scrambler Therapy change the way the nerves behave? Scrambler Therapy changes the danger message sent by the nerves to the brain, which then results in the sensation of pain. Scrambler Therapy sends a message of “no danger” along the nerves to the brain, which results in a reduced or eradicated sensation of pain. The brain is responsible for deciding how to interpret different sensory messages from the body. The brain often interprets the sensory messages resulting from an injury (for example a papercut) as painf...
Post a Comment
Read more