1. < Neuropathy

Neuropathy and Brain Neuroplasticity

Posted by Barry Sheales @user_che214927, Feb 15, 2020

I have been diagnosed as having Peripheral-neuropathy. I am aged 89 and extremely fit. Iam on nil medication for any reason, and am not in pain.. I have studied the new science of Neuroplasticity, and have started following the practices I need to adopt and actuall regrow my neurons to a full recovery. Are there any brain exercises out there that I can review?

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Neuropathy Support Group.

Moderator
Lisa Lucier, Moderator | @lisalucier | Feb 20, 2020

I believe this is the study you are referencing, @helenfrances, from which various papers have been published https://ssnd.org/ministries/nun_study/

REPLY
Barry Sheales | @user_che214927 | Feb 20, 2020
In reply to @johnbishop "Hi Barry @user_che214927, That is such a great topic! I had once started reading a book..." + (show)
@johnbishop

Hi Barry @user_che214927, That is such a great topic! I had once started reading a book "The Brain's Way of Healing" by Norman Doidge -- http://www.normandoidge.com/ and found it very interesting. To be honest I got about half way through the book and gave it to a friend. From what I read it makes a ton of sense but I was in the wrong frame of mind to give it a try. It kind of reminds me of a saying that's been around a long time - "The Power of Positive Thinking". I actually think there is diet craze going on now that is using the technique.

What brain exercises have you found that worked for you?

Here is a Livestrong.com article that may give you some ideas. Brain Plasticity Exercises -- https://www.livestrong.com/article/216213-brain-plasticity-exercises/

I also found an interesting TED Talk on YouTube - You can grow new brain cells. Here's how | Sandrine Thuret

Jump to this post

Hi John! I suggest you recover the book yòu loaned out, or buy a new copy , and and study very carefully.It is not a book to read, buft tò study and act upon.

REPLY
1 reply
Jane | @darlingtondoll | Feb 21, 2020
In reply to @johnbishop "Hi Barry @user_che214927, That is such a great topic! I had once started reading a book..." + (show)
@johnbishop

Hi Barry @user_che214927, That is such a great topic! I had once started reading a book "The Brain's Way of Healing" by Norman Doidge -- http://www.normandoidge.com/ and found it very interesting. To be honest I got about half way through the book and gave it to a friend. From what I read it makes a ton of sense but I was in the wrong frame of mind to give it a try. It kind of reminds me of a saying that's been around a long time - "The Power of Positive Thinking". I actually think there is diet craze going on now that is using the technique.

What brain exercises have you found that worked for you?

Here is a Livestrong.com article that may give you some ideas. Brain Plasticity Exercises -- https://www.livestrong.com/article/216213-brain-plasticity-exercises/

I also found an interesting TED Talk on YouTube - You can grow new brain cells. Here's how | Sandrine Thuret

Jump to this post

Hi John. Thank you for this post. I’m going to study more about neurogenesis. I read science journals every week and I have a particular interest in the study of particle physics. It taxes my brain and makes me think about something that I cannot see but can understand. I’m going to try to use my left hand more often and eat more food that I can chew.🌮🥯

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1 reply
Mentor
John, Volunteer Mentor | @johnbishop | Feb 21, 2020
In reply to @user_che214927 "Hi John! I suggest you recover the book yòu loaned out, or buy a new copy..." + (show)
@user_che214927

Hi John! I suggest you recover the book yòu loaned out, or buy a new copy , and and study very carefully.It is not a book to read, buft tò study and act upon.

Jump to this post

Good point!

REPLY
1 reply
Jane | @darlingtondoll | Feb 21, 2020
In reply to @darlingtondoll "Hi John. Thank you for this post. I’m going to study more about neurogenesis. I read..." + (show)
@darlingtondoll

Hi John. Thank you for this post. I’m going to study more about neurogenesis. I read science journals every week and I have a particular interest in the study of particle physics. It taxes my brain and makes me think about something that I cannot see but can understand. I’m going to try to use my left hand more often and eat more food that I can chew.🌮🥯

Jump to this post

I’m following Sandrine Thuret’s advice and had a grilled cheese sandwich for breakfast. I was aware that I had to chew each bite. I often have red wine with my meals, but not with breakfast.😉

REPLY
catro | @catro | Feb 22, 2020
In reply to @johnbishop "Hi Barry @user_che214927, That is such a great topic! I had once started reading a book..." + (show)
@johnbishop

Hi Barry @user_che214927, That is such a great topic! I had once started reading a book "The Brain's Way of Healing" by Norman Doidge -- http://www.normandoidge.com/ and found it very interesting. To be honest I got about half way through the book and gave it to a friend. From what I read it makes a ton of sense but I was in the wrong frame of mind to give it a try. It kind of reminds me of a saying that's been around a long time - "The Power of Positive Thinking". I actually think there is diet craze going on now that is using the technique.

What brain exercises have you found that worked for you?

Here is a Livestrong.com article that may give you some ideas. Brain Plasticity Exercises -- https://www.livestrong.com/article/216213-brain-plasticity-exercises/

I also found an interesting TED Talk on YouTube - You can grow new brain cells. Here's how | Sandrine Thuret

Jump to this post

Have you considered Tai Chi? “The Harvard Medical School Guide to Tai Chi” by Peter Wayne says at p 113 that “sensory alertness in the feet decreases by ... 75% by age 80. This sensory loss is associated with ... peripheral neuropathy due to diabetes.” And on p 118 it says “studies show that Tai Chi positively affects people who have PN and experience little sensation in their hands and feet ... [which] greatly affects balance.” It also says that a study at LSU showed that 24 weeks of Tai Chi classes by people with plantar PN due to diabetes “led to an increase in sensitivity of the soles of the feet, greater balance, and faster walking speed. Another ... trial reported that a 12 week Tai Chi program in diabetic patients with PN increased nerve conduction velocities.”

REPLY
1 reply
Barry Sheales | @user_che214927 | Feb 22, 2020
In reply to @catro "Have you considered Tai Chi? “The Harvard Medical School Guide to Tai Chi” by Peter Wayne..." + (show)
@catro

Have you considered Tai Chi? “The Harvard Medical School Guide to Tai Chi” by Peter Wayne says at p 113 that “sensory alertness in the feet decreases by ... 75% by age 80. This sensory loss is associated with ... peripheral neuropathy due to diabetes.” And on p 118 it says “studies show that Tai Chi positively affects people who have PN and experience little sensation in their hands and feet ... [which] greatly affects balance.” It also says that a study at LSU showed that 24 weeks of Tai Chi classes by people with plantar PN due to diabetes “led to an increase in sensitivity of the soles of the feet, greater balance, and faster walking speed. Another ... trial reported that a 12 week Tai Chi program in diabetic patients with PN increased nerve conduction velocities.”

Jump to this post

Currently my exercises and change of habits is producing a slight improvement in walkiñg añd balance. I never have haď any pain.I will consider your idea a bit further down the tŕack. Thank you!

REPLY
catro | @catro | Feb 23, 2020

My wife and I are going to our first Tai Chi class tomorrow. I will report later how it goes and if it helps. I have been walking on a device called a Sanddune Stepper that helps me with balance.

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1 reply
catro | @catro | Feb 28, 2020

I have been reading about hypnosis for control and relief from chronic pain. Has anyone tried hypnosis for painful PN and if so what was your result?

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1 reply
helennicola | @helennicola | Feb 28, 2020
In reply to @catro "I have been reading about hypnosis for control and relief from chronic pain. Has anyone tried..." + (show)
@catro

I have been reading about hypnosis for control and relief from chronic pain. Has anyone tried hypnosis for painful PN and if so what was your result?

Jump to this post

@catro, that is an interesting thought but I don’t know what the thought process would involve. I am reading the Norman Doidge book on neuroplasticity which tells of factual stories of people who have totally overcome chronic and debilitating pain; it somewhat relates to the “tapping” theory which is one way of diverting pain signals to the brain. All in all, a very interesting read worth investing in. Helen

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