The brain and nervous system are constantly changing, and they adapt to the use and volume of nerve traffic they’re required to send or compute. The more information sent along a nerve channel, the more it will adapt and lay down new pathways to help transmit this information. As a result, it’s impossible that we only use 10%.
When Injury Creates Extraordinary Abilities
Recently, a student reported she had developed a condition known as “acquired savant syndrome” following a heavy fall on the ski slopes during a family holiday.
An individual with savant syndrome will display “remarkable and sometimes spectacular talents,” according to Jonathan Hiles, Principal Lecturer of Health and Life Sciences at De Montfort University.
Superior memory is a common feature of the syndrome, and there are reportedly cases of savants who have memorised population statistics, telephone books, bus schedules, and, in one case, the nine-volume edition of Grove’s Dictionary of Music and Musicians.
In this case, the neurological damage is thought to have opened new passages in the student’s brain, which led to the new aptitude for spatial memory. She can now draw diagrams of thousands of places, with rooms and doorways in the smallest detail.
In the weeks following the accident, she reported that “things got weird.”
Eventually, she was hit by a complex migraine, which brought her back to the hospital and made her the most interesting person the hospital’s neurology department had seen in quite some time.
The Flip Side: When Your Nervous System Struggles
In some ways, this type of phenomenon is what chiropractors see in reverse.
Accidents and other factors, such as stress or dietary changes, create confusion in the nervous system so that things work less well. This is the precursor to “my back just went.”
The nervous system is designed to be adaptable and interactive. It’s essential that it’s kept in good working order with as little interference as possible. The nervous system should be highly adaptable, allowing us to interact with our environment and change our body functions to meet the changing demands of the environment around us.
Prevention: The Key to Long-Term Neurological Health
Injury all too often stops the body from working well, but pain is present only in a small number of cases. The body most commonly loses its ability to be highly adaptable, and this is usually without pain at first. These injuries can be carried for many years, only showing themselves as degeneration, stiffness, and pain in later life.
Taking Care of Your Nervous System
Your nervous system is perhaps your most valuable asset – it controls everything from your movements to your memories, your emotions to your immune responses. Regular check-ups, proper nutrition, adequate sleep, and stress management are all vital components in maintaining neurological health. Don’t wait until pain appears to take action.
If you’d like to learn more about optimising your nervous system’s performance or have concerns about your neurological health, contact Inspired Chiropractic to schedule a consultation.
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