PEMF for Neuroplasticity - and actualizing the power of belief!

Neuroplasticity is our brain's ability to change, reorganize and rewire itself over the course of our lifetime – not just in childhood. Instead of being fixed (as was once believed) our brains are constantly changing.

This makes Neuroplasticity among the greatest gifts nature has given us! But there’s also a potential downside because far too few people know what Neuroplasticity is let alone how to use the gift to their own full advantage. Worse (still) in the absence of this realization and knowledge of the inherent power of Neuroplasticity, many people inadvertently harm and disadvantage themselves without even knowing they are doing it!

Simple analogy

My favorite way to think of Neuroplasticity is roads in a city – a mixture of thoroughfares for speed and high volume, smaller side streets for safety in pedestrian and school zones, and a process for phasing out/closing unused streets.

While cities have planners, engineers and other experts designing and building roads, typical brain pathways are designed by a child totally unaware he/she is literally creating the roadmap of their lives, with no knowledge of how to do so in the best way for their own well-being – and sadly (sometimes) negatively affected by the adults who most influence them and whom they most depend on.

Wish I’d known then what I know now!

Without sharing detail (or speculating on the line between nature and nurture) my nervous system was on bust from infancy bringing with it anxiety, heightened sensitivity and panic attacks.

With hindsight I easily draw a direct line between this start to life and teenage alcoholism at 16, unexplained (by western medicine thinking) Guillain Barre Syndrome and paralysis at 40, and a constant 300-ball of sadness, fear and shame on my heart until I was 56.

To this day (approaching 70) I often wake up like there’s a sabre-toothed tiger chasing me - but now know how to quieten it.

Where supposed to be

It is said: if you want to make God laugh – tell HIM your plans!

Through faith, I embrace the belief I am where I am supposed to be now. Through an appreciation of Neuroplasticity, I marvel at my brain’s innate efforts to help me survive some tough years:

• the third-party self-talk messages that assured (toddler through 60- year-old) Jim – name I went by until that age, it was going to be ok.
• the removal of an alcohol dependency neural pathway that moved faster than the Autobahn and had no offramp 40+ years ago (never to be driven again),
• running a marathon 9 months after GBS put me in a wheelchair - because an experienced runner helped me create a new neural pathway by telling me that anyone who runs 50 miles per week can run a marathon (believing him over my lifelong self doubt message - that I could never run a marathon - even before/without the illness).

While that’s all nice ...

But it is not lost on me that a different start to life would have taken me down different lifepaths because of the completely different neural pathways my brain would have created. These positively based neural pathways may have brought joy and confidence (instead of fear and dread) to pursuing my dream of being an NHL goalie (from the time I was about 4).

I expect the number of people who unknowingly sabotage themselves or those whom they love is staggering – and a major contributor to the mental health crises plaguing modern society. I wonder how adults (especially seniors like me) think the ship sailed on their lives, when they still have the capability to plot a different course.

For this reason, I have a personal/corporate mission to make Neuroplasticity a conversation at family dinner tables, part of school curriculums and a recognized component of primary and public care systems. The cost of doing so is pennies on the dollar compared to traditional mental health methods.

Neuroplasticity 101

To reiterate, Neuroplasticity is our brain's ability to change, reorganize and rewire itself over the course of our lifetime not just in childhood; instead of being fixed our brains are constantly changing – in response to what we teach it!

This means we must all (at least) be conscious of our own Neuroplasticity as well as our children’s, and (ideally) help shape where it takes us and them.

Here are critical brain traits and behaviors to keep in mind:

• Our brains will become what we teach it to be through our thoughts, feelings and actions.
• Because our brains strive to be efficient the things we think, feel and do most often will become what our brains do most efficiently. (My Autobahn alcohol pathway that I never thought I could exit).
• Our brains have no opinion and do not differentiate between what is good or bad for us – it simply adapts to learn/perform new skills, meet new people, experience new things (while again seeking to become efficient at what is sees, hears, feels and does repeatedly).
• Our brain is super powerful and can/will (physically) reorganize its structure, functions, and connections in response to experience, learning, or injury.
• What is most exciting is that we have the power to direct our brain’s growth and development so that it re-structures itself to align with our goals and wellbeing. A good example of applying Neuroplasticity is intentionally choosing new tasks, new experiences, and (if/as needed) new ways of thinking about ourselves, our capabilities and who we actually are - that alert and stimulate our brain that something different is unfolding.
• Of course, the other side of this equation is that because the brain does not distinguish between good or bad habits, negative thoughts, chronic stress, and unhealthy, repetitive behaviors can also be hardwired into the brain.
• In short, we can limit our brains and ourselves through (an estimated) 1000 self-talk messages we each day. Specifically, if we tell ourselves repeatedly that (for example) we are no good, nothing ever works out for us, or our dream is impossible (et cetera) - then our brain will not only believe these things but will create actual neural pathways to become efficient in bringing these thoughts and messages to reality. This is the blueprint for many people going through life never really being or (perhaps) even knowing who they are.

The power of belief in Neuroplasticity

Simply defined, a belief is acceptance that a statement is true, or something exists. The role of belief Neuroplasticity is invaluable as follows:

• A core principle of neuroplasticity is that neurons that frequently communicate strengthen their connection, making the behavior, thought, or emotion more automatic (often expressed as What Fires Together, Wires Together: Our beliefs act as a guide for what to strengthen, reinforcing patterns through repeated thought.
• Psychological Studies Research by Stanford University suggest:
  • that believing your abilities and intelligence can be developed (a growth mindset) triggers the brain to form new neural pathways, particularly when facing challenges.
  • Conversely, a fixed mindset (I can't change) can create a self-fulfilling prophecy of limitation.
• This growth mindset is concept refers to the capacity to intentionally direct the brain's restructuring (Self-Directed Neuroplasticity) by choosing to focus on positive thoughts, gratitude, or learning new skills, one can literally rewire our brain to move away from old, negative, or addictive habits.
• Deeply held beliefs, especially when combined with emotional investment, accelerate the rewiring process. Mental rehearsal or visualization of a desired outcome (e.g., imagining performing a task perfectly) can trigger the same neural pathways as the actual physical action, strengthening them for real-world performance.
• Neuroplasticity has great application to healing and adaptation allowing our brain to recover from injuries like strokes or brain damage by training healthy areas to take over functions previously managed by damaged cells.

• Conversely belief can also impact the dark side of Neuroplasticity because the brain does not distinguish between good or bad negative beliefs can help hardwire unwanted thoughts, feelings and behaviours.
• Among the recognized methods to keep belief on the good side include:
  • Mindfulness: using regular meditation to increase gray matter density in regions associated with learning, memory, and emotional regulation.
  • Affirmations: the repletion of specific, positive, and realistic statements (e.g. I can learn this!) help overwrite negative self-talk by creating new, reinforcing neural pathways.
  • Embracing yet: simply changing the phrase: I can't do this to I can't do this yet - fosters a growth-oriented and more resilient brain.
  • Sustained effort and repetition: Neuroplasticity is not a quick fix and requires consistent practice, attention, and time to build lasting changes.

STACKING the power of Neuroplasticity, Belief and PEMF

A High-Powered Pulsed Electromagnetic Field Therapy device works like a battery charger for cells.

As simple as that analogy sounds, the importance can scarcely be overstated: the human body consists of as estimated 37.2 trillion cells each of which requires a designated charge to do what we need them to do at the level we need them to do it at (and repair). Loss of this innate electrical charge is the beginning of diminished performance, fatigue, and aging; reduced cellular electrical charge also makes us more susceptible to injury and illness.

High-Powered PEMF therapy delivers a powerful, gentle and safe into the body that gives cells back the power needed to perform, heal and repair at their best possible level. For a more in-depth explanation please click here for PEMF works at the cellular level.

The power of Belief!

Among the many reasons I feel so strongly about the value of PEMF to Neuroplasticity lies in the power of Belief.

High Powered PEMF works instantly and consistently to stimulate muscles, connective tissues, intestines, tendons and cartilage, the brain and peripheral nerve sites. In doing so, PEMF promotes healing and a return to higher activity levels. Functions that were lost begin to recover.

PEMF instantaneously establishes credibility/belief with the Recipient.

• PEMF energy is drawn to cells that are under-charged while fully charged cells allow the energy to pass by. As under-charged cells interact with PEMF energy they constrict, force toxins out, and draw the energy in to the cell.
• Thus “muscle-twitching” is a common response to PEMF as the under-charged cells regain the power they need to both function and repair). I will never forget my first PEMF experience 9 years after Guillain Barre – watching/rejoicing as my legs twitched like a fish on dry land as the energy charged the cells, tissues, muscles, ligaments and bones. It was the first in 9 years of specialist visits and various testing that anything or anybody GOT what I had been trying to explain was happening/needed in my body.
• This means the energy is drawn on a priority basis to those cells most in need (for example a current injury) or where there is cellular memory of a need (like a previous surgery site).
• So, PEMF energy goes to the very spot the user feels pain, has injury, notices weakness – or even had shoulder surgery 10 years ago. This is not because the machine is smart – but rather because cells are smart, the body is smart, the nervous system is smart – and naturally send the energy where it is most needed.
• When this happens, most people smile with intrigue or widely like I did (when as mentioned above after 9 years of residual issues post-GBS and no answers from multiple medical specialists) and even being told: be happy we thought you’d be in a wheelchair) watching the cells in my legs rejoice.
• Here is a wonderful example of a client’s belief experience: Surgical Oncologist: you don’t even need to come back!

Adding to the credibility/belief:

• 95% of people report less pain, better range of motion, more energy and a greater sense of well-being after using PEMF the first time; there is often an ability to do things they could not do before the treatment
• benefits last 4 hours to 4 days as the healing begins and repeat PEMF use extends the period of benefits meaning the more you use PEMF Therapy (properly) – the more PEMF helps – and the more the belief is reinforced.

Please click on this link for research and scientific studies related to the applications and benefits of High Powered PEMF

Clinical or Professional Use

This link describes why increasing numbers of Professional Practitioners are using High Powered PEMF in their clinics.

Patient or Home Use

This link describes why increasing numbers of people are using High Powered PEMF in their clinics.