What is brain elastoplasticity? The Japan Society for Brain Elastoplasticity

When the human brain acquires new abilities, or when the damaged brain recovers, the brain changes structurally and functionally by strengthening and rewiring neural circuits.

This phenomenon of positive changes in the brain is called neuroplasticity or brain plasticity. This is exerted throughout life, and is extremely active, especially during the period called the sensitive period of 0 to 9 years old.

The term neuroplasticity may be unfamiliar to the general public, but it is one of the dynamisms hidden in our brains, and there are valuable cases that demonstrate its existence. That is the slide below (used in our general lecture).

The reason why we attach great importance to tactile stimuli such as touch care and touching is that we have the basic idea of brain-skin correlation (close relationship between brain and skin) symbolized by the above slide. The true effect hidden in hugs and soft massages (strong stimuli are NG) is exactly in the brain-skin correlation.

Neuroplasticity is being studied on a global scale, and the famous book "How the brain brings healing (Kinokuniya Bookstore)A number of examples are told in. It has been reported that a number of intractable diseases, from chronic pain and Parkinson's disease to visual impairment to multiple sclerosis, show dramatic recovery through the development of neuroplasticity.

The author, Norman Doidge, explains the mechanism leading to this recovery."Sedation of the noise-filled brain" "Training the brain"It is explained by the concept. More specifically, it is a four-step treatment step shown below.

❶ Nerve stimulation ❷ Nerve adjustment ❸ Nerve relaxation ❹ Nerve differentiation and learning

We believe that ❶ is for entrainment, ❷❸ is for relieving brain fatigue (brain overwork), and ❹ is for developing neuroplasticity.

Entrainment
A phenomenon in which the brain is drawn into a rhythmic stimulus input and resonates. For example, Parkinsonian gait can be dramatically improved by the sound of the metronome, and the same rhythm sound can save energy in various exercises (→ NHK Gatten). In addition, the touch care and touching techniques in BReIN recommended by the Society emphasize vibration containing 1 / f fluctuation components, and include the Entrainment effect. Of course, the oxytocin effect is also included.

The "→" is the same as the "→" in theClinical Effects of Entrainment: Viewing NHK Video Materials" (1) - (2) Total 46 min."

The origin of the word plasticity is in the ancient Greek word plastikos (which can be molded). Based on this, the term plastic, which stands for "synthetic resin that can be molded by heat or pressure," was born, and in material mechanics,The "property that remains deformed and does not return to its original state" is called plasticity... ..

On the other hand, when pressure is applied to an object in the same mechanics, "The "returning property of deformation" is called elasticity... The difference between elasticity and plasticity is as shown in the figure below. Elasticity means resilience, and plasticity means changing force.

One of the seismic control techniques in Japanese architectural engineeringElastoplastic damperwhich combines both elastic and plastic properties.

As Norman Doidge's four-step model of treatment shows, healing the brain is essential as a preparatory step for developing neuroplasticity. When the brain is exhausted, the development of neuroplasticity, that is, the update of neural circuits, does not work.

Therefore, when describing an approach that acts on the brain, the more accurate expression is "heal the tired brain and then promote the rewiring of neural circuits." However, the concept of plasticity does not imply a therapeutic effect on brain fatigue (brain overload).

in shortThe term neuroplasticity does not imply "the process of healing the brain."..

The process of healing the brain (eliminating brain fatigue) means, so to speak, restoration to the original state, and can be expressed in terms of restoration, that is, elasticity.

If,It is better to use the word "elastoplasticity" instead of "plasticity" to describe it all in one word....

However, as a global trend, especially in Western medical papers, plasticity or malleability is used as the phenomenon that changes the brain positively.

 The concept of elasto-plasticity is the most recognized term in the world of seismic control technology, of which Japan is proud to be an earthquake powerhouse, but it may not be as well known overseas. We hope to show the world that inducing brain elasticity can improve various mental and physical ailments.

..In psychology, the power to crawl up from adversity is called resilience. Resilience is not only the strength of appearance, but also the ability to overcome it flexibly. The concept of brain elasto-plasticity includes both "psychological resilience" and "structural resilience".

Our "brain elasto-plasticity" means improving the overall health of the mind, body, and life, or happiness, by increasing the resilience of the brain.

Follow me!

Medical consultation (for those who want to improve their health literacy)

We will answer your questions about health issues, treatment of diseases, etc.

Please contact us by phone or online (ZOOM) (this is a paid service).

Example: "I am having problems with CRPS (RSD) treatment. What should I do?"
  I would like to know more about mind-body integration therapy."