You may have heard the universal saying, “Ignorance is bliss.” You may have also heard the saying, “Knowledge is power” (Francis Bacon).
We believe this is a great start to further explaining Applied Functional Science® (AFS), or better yet, the study and application of movement based on the convergence of Physical, Biological, and Behavioral Principles.
Merging quotes and science together, we would like to present the following by Paul Davies:
“Is there anything science should not try to explain? Science is knowledge and knowledge is power – power to do good or evil. Sometimes ignorance is bliss.”
As Movement Scientists (or Applied Functional Scientists), we have the power to change lives, to enhance lives. The catch, though, is that all of this must be viewed by one key context – the individual. Each one of us is different. The more we know and study what is true (scientific principles), the more we are able to leverage those truths strategically into an infinite number of techniques. The question surfaces, though, what is the best one for a particular person for a specific result?
AFS would build upon the initial quotes in this blog to say the following:
“Ignorance is bliss;
Knowledge is power;
Wisdom is application;
Discernment is responsibility.”
Take low back pain for example. Tradition would say to treat the low back. AFS would ask, “What is causing the low back pain?” To ignore the rest of the body is not bliss for the low back because the low back is where the symptom is, and likely not the cause. This knowledge is power. Wisdom is to apply movements that not only help the low back, but also decipher what is causing the low back pain. Therefore, discernment to use the best movements to attack the cause and not facilitate pain is the responsibility.
In fact, pain is a gift. It tells us that something if off, something is wrong. In turn, we as Applied Functional Scientists can provide a gift to the person in pain – getting rid of it, as well as getting rid of the cause.
When one hears the word “pain” (or reads about it), Free Nerve Endings may come to mind.
Free Nerve Endings are found in almost every tissue in the human body and are presumably the most common type of afferent receptor. Traditionally, these sensory organs were classified as being either noxious (nociceptive) or non-noxious. Histological studies differentiate these two types based on their response to specific staining techniques. The nociceptive Free Nerve Endings are responsible for our sensation of pain. Trauma, edema, and the cellular byproducts of injury all were known to stimulate these nerve endings. Irritation of these noxious receptors, by mechanical, chemical, and electrical methods, has been shown to increase the density of receptors in the tissue as well as activity in the dorsal horn of the spinal cord. A review article by Wilke et al discusses these factors in relation to the lumbodorsal fascia as the possible source of idiopathic back pain.
Much less appreciated is the role of Free Nerve Endings not associated with the sensation of pain. Recent studies indicate that these receptors contribute to the ability to recognize the position of the bone segments relative to each other, as well as the position of the body parts in three-dimensional space. Proske proposes a dual model where these “internal” and “external” perceptions of position get important contributions from the Free Nerve Endings. An article by Inui et al demonstrated that the initial posture of the hand will influence the perception of that posture as sensation is reduced. The perception changed as information from the afferent receptors was gradually reduced. This finding suggests that the Free Nerve Endings contribute to a baseline representation produced by tension in some tissues and relaxation in others. When this baseline tension changes, the alteration in discharge from the non-noxious Free Nerve Endings provides specific information about the nature of that movement.
If we consider the information above to be true, then many questions surface. Questions such as:
- What are the implications for movement specialists?
- Does the baseline representation of position inside the body (and relative to the environment) alter movements superimposed on the beginning position?
- Does the beginning position become an essential variable (one of ten Observational Essentials in Certification in Applied Functional Science®) to be altered/tweaked in order to create movement success? (Learn more at https://grayinstitute.com/courses/cafs-certification-in-applied-functional-science.)
- Does altering the beginning position during training create a more robust movement system able to handle unexpected challenges from the environment?
- Do these strategies create information from the Free Nerve Endings that can be used to improve coordination?
So what, who cares, why is this information so important? Gray Institute® has coined many phrases, including the following statement: “Movement turns on proprioceptors, proprioceptors turn on muscles, and muscles control the movement.” The proper (functional) movement is key, which is why 3DMAPS® (3D Movement Analysis & Performance System) is so vital to any assessment and any progression/program.
One of the simple, yet potentially powerful, movement progressions in the Performance System of 3DMAPS® is “Fixed Trunk.” (Learn more at https://grayinstitute.com/courses/3dmapsthree-dimensional-movement-analysis-and-performance-system.) The trunk is pre-positioned in the direction of one of the six Analysis Movements – flexed, extended, laterally flexed right, laterally flexed left, rotated right, or rotated left. This creates an asymmetry of tension in the legs, trunk, and arms. This asymmetry is represented by a different discharge of the Free Nerve Endings and creates a neuro-perceptual baseline comprised of the input from all the proprioceptors.
When the Chain Reaction® Movements start from these “fixed” positions, the drivers of the lunging leg and the swinging arms provide additional proprioceptive information about the movements from the Free Nerve Endings. A successful muscle synergy must be created from the “new perceptual guidance.” It has been suggested that the information from the moving body segments is combined with a “map” of body segments created from the beginning position. Whenever a movement can be completed successfully – built upon a tweaked foundation – then the human movement system becomes more robust. Safety and success are more likely when unexpected conditions arise during functional activities.
“Ignorance is bliss” … “Knowledge is power” … “Wisdom is application” … “Discernment is responsibility” … AFS empowers the practitioner and ultimately empowers the patient/client/individual. When we ask what is best for the individual when it comes to movement, AFS would answer the question with a question: “What do the proprioceptors say?”
¹Wilke J, Schleip R, Klinger W, Stecco C. The lumbodorsal fascia as a potential source of low back pain: A narrative review. BioMed Res. Int. 2017 Article ID 5349620 https://doi.org/10.1155/2017/5349620
²Proske U. The role of muscle proprioceptors in human limb position sense: a hypothesis. J.Anat. 2015, 227:178-183
³Inui N, Walsh LD, Gandevia SC. Dynamic changes in the perceived posture of the hand during ischemic anaesthesia of the arm. J. Physiol. 2011, 589:5775-5784