cle, a twisted ankle or other injury. Micro-trauma is even
more common; it’s the accumulation of minor physical
stress in a muscle or joint, often unnoticed while it’s hap-
pening, eventually causing a more obvious muscle prob-
lem. Too much sitting, repetitive motion and walking in
poor-fitting shoes are common examples of micro-trauma
that can ultimately cause muscle problems. Local muscle
injuries can result in anything from minor annoying achi-
ness to serious or chronic debilitating condition.- Brain injurycan occur at any age, even before birth.
Trauma, reduced oxygen or nutrient supply, and infec-
tions can easily cause brain damage resulting in poor
muscle function. A stroke is a common form of brain
injury; others include cerebral palsy, Down syndrome
and Parkinson’s disease. Some brain injuries produce
only relatively minor physical problems, such as being
uncoordinated or “clumsy.” - An incomplete spinal cord injuryis often due to physical
trauma such as from a serious head or back injury, but a
tumor or infection can also be a cause. A spinal cord
injury can adversely affect nerves that go to muscles
reducing their function. Like a brain injury, spinal cord
injuries can cause a wide range of problems, from rela-
tively minor physical ones, to very serious disabilities.
Not long ago, it was assumed that once injured, the brain and
spinal cord could not recover. As a result, many of these muscle prob-
lems were not successfully treated. But over the last 30 years we’ve
learned that the brain and body, at any age, has an incredible ability
to repair itself, even in cases of severe damage. The goal of manual
biofeedback is to help the brain and body recover from injury.
Manual biofeedback can help promote and restore muscle bal-
ance, and in doing so help improve overall physical movement.
Increased movement is a powerful therapy in itself as I previously
discussed in relation to the aerobic muscle fibers. Improved move-
ment not only helps locomotion, posture, independence and other
280 • IN FITNESS AND IN HEALTH