Neuroplasticity and Repetitive Use

I’m intrigued by the science of neuroplasticity. Recent research has shown, however, that when it comes to repetitive use, neuroplasticity is both the cause and the cure. New findings have been summarized in Pathology and Intervention in Musculoskeletal Rehabilitation, 2nd Edition. The following information comes from the chapter Repetitive Stress Pathology: Soft Tissue by Nancy N. Byl, Mary F. Barbe, and Jane Fedorzyck.

Neuroplasticity just means that neurons are adaptive. A neuron is an electrically charged cell that acts as a communicator between cells. They can change, recruit other neurons, make new ones or alter synaptic connections (a junction box between two cells). They do this through repetition. When you do something over and over again, it excites the neurons and starts a kind intelligent mutation. It can happen at any place where there are nerves, not just the brain. When it happens in the spinal chord the change affects the entire central nervous system. This can work both for and against us.

These amazing cells also have the ability to regulate their own excitability through something called homeostatic plasticity. There is an optimal range of excitability for this neural net to work, too much or too little and the whole body can get thrown off. They can also be tricked into adapting in ways that actually harm the body. Enter repetitive use.

When you do something harmful, like texting with your thumbs, over and over again, it excites the neurons to launch their amazing adaptation system. If you text too much, those neurons lose their regulatory abilities, become over excited, and a whole series of neurochemical cascades begin.  There's an increase in hormones and enzymes, and receptor cells, the ISP of the body, increase.  A hyperexcitable neuron is born, causing abnormal sensations. This is one of the mechanisms involved in chronic pain, where the patient feels more pain than the amount of damage to the tissue involved warrants. You can also lose sensation as the synapses go haywire.

New research shows this neuroplasticity may at the heart of the motor changes found in repetitive use, particularly focal dystonia. The good news is this incredible adaptive mechanism is also what's being used to combat the problem. I myself have undergone neuroplasticity treatments, though I did not understand it as such at the time. I knew it as movement retraining: Feldenkreis, yoga and the Taubman method based on pianist Dorothy Taubman. It's a bit weird, scrambles your brain for a while, but is otherwise painless. And very effective. I credit it largely, in fact to the recovery of functionality I’ve been able to achieve.

There are a handful of practitioners around the world who have achieved a great deal of success working with musicians in this way. They include Greg Dempster, Joaquin Farias, Joseph Quoidbach, David Leisner and Jamie Andreas.

@JillGambaro is the author of The Truth About Carpal Tunnel Syndrome . She has lived with multiple repetitive strain injuries known as a “double crush” for over 15 years. A former board member of the Los Angeles Repetitive Strain Injury Support Group and the Cumulative Trauma Disorders Resource Network, Jill advocates for prevention, patient engagement and healthy playing for musicians through her Blog, Facebook and Twitter @IckyFingersMovi. Look for her upcoming documentary Icky Fingers.