Applied Neurology for Pain Relief
Applied neurology helps your brain recalibrate its perception of pain. That’s not to say your pain is “just in your head”—far from it. But the signals your brain receives from your eyes, joints, nerves, and balance system can amplify or dial down how much pain you feel.
The foundation of this work is understanding that your brain is always trying to protect you. If it's getting unclear or “threatening” input from your sensory systems, it may respond by creating pain, tension, or limiting movement as a protective measure.
By using targeted drills that stimulate your vision, balance, touch, smell, or even taste, we give your brain better input. As a result, it starts to feel safer—and when the brain feels safe, it reduces those protective outputs like pain or tightness.
Interestingly, many of my clients—especially those dealing with trauma, ADHD, or stress—report feeling calmer and more focused almost immediately. One of my clients, a psychotherapist, even described it as feeling like their whole system could finally relax. That’s because these drills help shift you from a fight-or-flight (sympathetic) state into a rest-and-digest (parasympathetic) state.
Think of it like updating your brain’s software: better input creates better output. Along with reducing pain, these drills also improve coordination and movement quality.
They might look simple, but they can make a big difference in how you move, focus, and feel.
How I Integrate Applied Neuro in My Practice
Applied Neurology can be its own session. During your first session we'd do an assessment, practice drills like the ones in the videos above and then re-assess. Depending on results we'd choose which drills are beneficial for you to do on a daily basis until your next session. In- person sessions would be in my office in Austin (Westlake). Virtual sessions available on zoom. ​
...As a Massage Enhancement
One of my favorite ways to integrate Applied Neuro into my practice is to do some drills at the beginning of a massage appointment. Depending on the areas of concern, we would do a set of drills that could take as little as 10 minutes up to the first 45 minutes of your 90 minute or 2 hr massage. If you are an Austin, Texas local and would like try this combination, please book a massage and add in your appointment notes that you are interested in Applied Neuro.