Why Developing Body Consciousness Matters for People Battling Multiple Sclerosis
Multiple Sclerosis affects multiple areas of the body and people with MS gradually losing the coating called myelin on the neurons throughout their central nervous system (CNS). This affects the ability of nerves to send signals. My name is Lisa Colquitt and I have been living with MS for 37 years. The past 10 years the disease progressed interrupting the commands I send to my arms and legs. Over time this lack of lost communication resulting in severe spasticity and significant postural ramifications. I have spent the last 3 years dedicated to trying to rehabilitate my body through physical therapy and exercise. It was only recently that I was able to engage my brain, thanks to its neuro-plasticity, that I have began to see small but progressive improvements that continue to build upon each other. This renewed communication also allows for a better understanding of how my body moves, or doesn’t. This has been key to accepting my current situation and begin to work from there.
Body consciousness is the ability to be aware of your body and how it feels, moves, and interacts with the environment. It is a key component of your overall well-being, as it affects your physical, mental, and emotional health.
Body consciousness can help you:
– Improve your posture and alignment
– Prevent injuries and chronic pain
– Enhance your performance and efficiency in work, sports and daily activities
– Reduce stress and anxiety
– Increase your self-esteem and confidence
– Foster a more positive body image and relationship with yourself
However, many people lack body consciousness or have a distorted perception of their body due to various factors, such as trauma, stress, illness or injury. Fortunately, body consciousness is not a fixed trait that you are born with or without. It is a skill that you can develop and improve with practice and guidance.
One of the most effective ways to develop body consciousness is through physical therapy.
Physical therapists can help you develop body consciousness by:
– Assessing your posture, movement patterns, strength, flexibility, balance, coordination, and endurance
– Identifying any impairments, limitations, or dysfunctions that may affect your body awareness
– Providing individualized exercises and activities that target your specific needs and goals
– Teaching you how to perform movements correctly and safely
– Giving you feedback and cues to help you adjust and improve your body awareness
– Educating you on how to prevent or manage injuries and pain
– Empowering you to take charge of your own health and wellness
Another type of therapy that can help you develop body awareness is somatic therapy, the focus on the mind-body connection. Somatic therapy is a form of psychotherapy that uses physical approaches to therapy, such as relaxation, meditation, breathing exercises, massage, or movement. The goal is to help people overcome trauma and emotional problems by releasing tension and restoring balance to the body.
Somatic therapy is often integrated into your physical therapy routine to help you develop body awareness by:
– Helping you recognize and regulate your bodily sensations and emotions
– Creating a safe space for you to think and express yourself
– Facilitating healing of traumatic memories and experiences
– Promoting relaxation and well-being
Both physical therapy and somatic therapy are integral to developing body consciousness and can have profound benefits for your health and happiness.
Body consciousness is not a cure for MS, but it is a way of living with it more gracefully and peacefully. It helps me appreciate what my body can do, rather than what it can’t. It helps me celebrate every small victory, rather than dwell on every setback. It helps me enjoy every moment of life, rather than worry about the future.
If you have MS or any other chronic condition that affects your mobility or sensation, I encourage you to try body consciousness. It may not be easy at first, but it will get easier with practice. It is important to know that our body is a perfect machine designed to keep our body and brain working at the same time and that despite any damage, our brain does not lose the ability to learn something new if it receives the necessary stimuli to achieve it.
If you want to know more about Multiple Sclerosis. We recommend this links:
(1) The Role of Physical Therapy in Patients with Disorders of Consciousness. https://www.neuropt.org/docs/default-source/bi-sig/role_of_pt_in_doc.pdf?sfvrsn=1f704843_2 Accessed 4/5/2023.
(2) Is the body key to understanding consciousness?. https://www.theguardian.com/science/2022/oct/02/is-the-body-key-to-understanding-consciousness Accessed 4/5/2023.
