Our nervous system serves as our operating system, shaping our behaviors, perceptions, and experiences of pain and pleasure. Every sensation and action we’ve ever experienced can be traced back to our brain activity and nervous system function. The firing pathways within our nervous system dictate our past and future selves, as all human change is rooted in our nervous system.
While various healing modalities like cognitive behavioral therapy, mindset coaching, EMDR, and somatic healing impact our nervous system, understanding how they affect it is crucial for determining if the changes they induce are truly beneficial. By becoming experts of our own nervous systems, we gain insight into which practices will work best for us, guiding us towards positive changes in our lives.
Neuro-Somatic Intelligence encompasses the ability to comprehend how our nervous system processes inputs and generates outputs, and how it continually adapts in response to stimuli. With this intelligence, we can identify how different inputs influence our nervous system and enact changes to promote positive adaptations in both our nervous system and our lives.
From a Neuro-Somatic perspective, the nervous system functions in three primary ways: receiving inputs, interpreting them, and generating outputs. Inputs are gathered from various sensory sources such as sight, hearing, balance (exteroception), body mapping (proprioception), and internal sensations (interoception). These inputs provide information about our external environment and internal state, allowing our brain to construct a coherent understanding of ourselves and the world.
Once the brain receives these inputs, it interprets them and makes decisions about how to respond. Outputs, which encompass behaviors, sensations, and emotions, are then generated based on this interpretation. Outputs can range from pain and pleasure to vocalizing thoughts and feelings.
Neuro-Somatic Intelligence focuses on optimizing inputs to ensure the nervous system receives clear and accurate information. Additionally, it addresses how the brain processes and interprets this information. Rather than solely focusing on changing outputs (e.g., reducing pain or altering behaviors), Neuro-Somatic Intelligence emphasizes modifying inputs and the brain’s interpretation of them to drive desired outputs more effectively.
At its core, the brain’s primary concern is safety. It constantly evaluates incoming sensory information to determine whether the environment is perceived as safe or unsafe. This evaluation influences the type of output experienced. When the brain perceives safety, it enables higher order thinking and performance outputs. Conversely, if the brain perceives a threat, it triggers protective responses such as pain, anxiety, fatigue, or the activation of the fight-flight-freeze-fawn responses (trauma responses).
Outputs fall along a spectrum, with protective responses occurring when the brain perceives danger (pain, migraines, fatigue, etc.) and performance outputs manifesting in safe environments. Protective responses aim to reduce stress and promote survival, whereas performance outputs indicate a sense of safety and facilitate engagement with the world. By understanding and optimizing these processes, individuals can promote well-being and resilience in their nervous system and overall life experience.
Change at the level of the nervous system are instantaneous. Just as we engage in daily hygiene routines to care for our physical health, engaging in daily nervous system hygiene practices is essential for promoting resilience and well-being. By consistently practicing techniques that support nervous system health, individuals can effectively re-pattern neural pathways and sustain positive changes over time. This highlights the importance of incorporating nervous system work into daily routines to foster lasting transformation and overall wellness.
Working with a Certified Neuro-Somatic practitioner is crucial for overall nervous system health, ensuring safety and well-being in the body. Together, we address your primary concerns and performance goals across various aspects of life, work, and personal well-being. We pinpoint the underlying causes of specific issues such as pain, anxiety, insomnia, migraines, inflammation, or excessive eating or alcohol intake, while tracking your progress towards achieving your goals.
Drawing on my trauma-informed background, we also conduct a developmental trauma assessment to gain deeper insight into how past events may be influencing your current challenges.
From there, we create a plan to safely guide you through a progression toward a regular nervous system practice, encouraging lifestyle, performance, and health changes.
For more information please reach out.
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