We (ok, I) have been a bit slow on the uptake here, but Mindhacks posted a typically excellent piece lamenting the use of ‘neuroplasticity’. Vaughan, in typically excellent style, argues that, because the brain is always changing – we can’t do anything really without something changing – the term is meaningless. He goes so far to say that perhaps it should be banned. I agree that the term ‘neuroplasticity’ gives otherwise unremarkable (actually, I still find them all fairly remarkable) everyday brain processes some sort of legitimacy superpower status and that this can be a negative thing. However, I would offer the contrary perspective too – that very same legitimacy can be a crucial factor in some people feeling legitimate in their own experiences, experiences that are illegitimate if there is no solid, scientifically verified and to some extent understood, process by which the nervous system can underpin those experiences. So, I think, like all these things I guess, labelling it and using that label is of great benefit to some and a nuisance to others. What to do? Well, here is a vote – the question:
Should the term ‘neuroplasticity’ be banned? Let the people decide……
Click here to take the survey
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I think neuroplasticity is an commonly misperceived term, however it can create an informative visual representation to easily convey a complex meaning, especially for people who might view their brain as a solid organism and have never really considered how they are able to remember and learn things. It seems that the word “neuroplasticity” is often confused with “the ability to induce neuroplasticity”, rather than being explained and understood as a term that quite simply means that our brains are able to form new connections, whether this be overcoming a massive brain injury, or learning to tie our shoelaces, it’s all neuroplasticity in action. For me, personally, learning about and opening my mind to the idea of neuroplasticity has been incredibly enlightening and offered me new hope in overcoming my CRPS.
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Denis Dempsey Reply:
September 4th, 2010 at 2:11 pm
I agree as well the whole term should be replaced with the much simpler one that is simple but sometimes difficult thing to understand (for patients and therapist both) that being “self talking”. This is used throughout EP and is great for patients to understand.
Cheers, Denis
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We don’t ban any other garbage terms, why this one?
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I don’t think that it has to be banned I just think that some therapist feel they need to use this term in order to sell what they are doing. Here on the west coast (California) as in many parts of the world this term has gotten a bit trendy and thus a number of therapist feel that this is there new field. It is OK in some cases to use the term but we must always remind the patient that it is a term only and that if we take the time to Explain Pain (EP) and do it in the right way they do will understand that the brain is on all of the time and they can access it any time and it does not take some therapist saying they teach or council neuroplasticity for them to understand what it is and how they to can be doing it all of the time. This is one of the main tenants of EP that we have to instill in the patient they can do it they can access the brain anytime and tap into all of its glory and chemicals which are much more powerful then anything some physician can either inject or give you to ingest (but anyone reading this knows all of this anyway right???)
Let’s just hope that those therapist out there that use this term neuroplasticity explain to the patient that they are quite capable of self talking and accessing the brain anytime and to not put them off and make them feel this is something that takes heaps of school. If this is the case (making the patient feel they cannot do this) then they will loose many of those who have already been put off by so many medical terms that have done nothing but continue to up-regulate their problems. More than any of us have the capability to perceive with all of the changes in there brains. Time to go to bed.
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