Adam Wolf: Neurological Changes vs. Structural Changes – Hardware or Software

When we touch people, we’re affecting structure. But more times than not, gains in mobility come from neurological changes. Adam Wolf gives a hands-on example to take the focus from hardware to software.

Who has a tight hamstring in here? Will you come on up here?

I’m going to have you lay on the ground, head up there, facing me. Just lay on your back.

I’m going to assess his hamstring length. Just relax. The first barrier is right about there. I could take him farther, but he tends to cringe as I do that.

Let’s see which one is tighter – stay relaxed. I’m going to say that his right leg is a little tighter than his left. A little bit. Do you agree? 

“Yes.”

With his right, his first barrier is right there and he cringes if I take it any farther. I’m just going to long-axis distract. I’m just pulling his leg out a little bit.

And now, keeping that long-axis distraction, I’m going to take him through. 

What did we just add? About 25 degrees or so?

Did I change his structure? Or did I change his connection with his nervous system?

Hardware or software? 

This is software. I didn’t change his structure at all. All I did was distract out to be able to get more motion. 

Inevitably, when we touch people, we’re affecting structure. But more times than not, when I’m able to make changes, I’m not affecting their structure, I’m affecting their software, not their hardware.

That’s a great example. 

This is an excerpt from Adam’s live lecture Improving Fascial Highway Systems –
a hands-on exploration of the interconnectedness of the body:
a framework where bones move, joints feel or perceive motion and myofascia reacts to control the movement,
all while being governed by the nervous system.

Much to be learned from a great teacher.