Strength Training for Pain Relief (1 Key Brain-Based Approach!)

Do you have clients with a preponderance of pain or injury issues on one side of their body? If so, the brainstem and its pain inhibition and muscle tone pathways may be a great neural target for training.

In this week’s video, we review programming strategies for addressing one of the most common neurological imbalances you’ll see as a brain-based practitioner. When your unilateral pain clients come in for their next session, have them give this 70/30 split a try!


Video Highlights:
-- A quick neurology primer on the pathways for voluntary movement
-- Clues for knowing if a client is a good candidate for extended unilateral training
-- Programming ideas for clients who are concerned with becoming asymmetric

[loriwilliamson]

You are a God-send for me and my issues! Thank you for sharing your knowledge.

[ZHealthPerformance]

While this is a bit of a strange concept if you are new to brain-based training, it's one of the most useful and important ideas for using strength training to deal with single-sided pain. Enjoy!

[stephenhumphries]

Very interesting talk I have an injury on my right side i.e. my leg I will try this for 6 weeks perhaps squats with a kettlebell and resistance bands, much appreciated

[jnit]

Very similar to Total Motion Release. It's about moving the side that feels good in order to "fix" the other side that is in pain or limited motion.

[MS-bsdd]

Interesting. Day 1 training 70/30 my right side, what I thought was my stronger side so I used to do less reps there and more on my weaker left side that holds the pain. But I have to say it’s an odd feeling, more balanced and also -like where are all the punishing reps to the left side? Lol. I like adding in the ‘brain’ training. My brain feels ‘relieved’ oddly enough. Thank you. Will do for six weeks.

[thaihoamai]

Thank you for this. As always, tremendously helpful. 🙏

[georgepnf]

Hi Eric! Great info! Can these rules be applied on stroke patients?? For example left ischemic stroke affects right voluntary side.

Thank you

[alcze]

Arent you creating a furthet imbalance in the body schema of the injured side? Logic would be to train the injured side more to improve the body map of that side which is already lacking. Thoughts?