Next Level Neuro
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Case Study: Threat Before Dysfunction
“But we weren’t even working on my shoulder.”
That’s a phrase I’ve heard more times than I can count. A client walks in with shoulder pain or stiffness, we never touch their shoulder — and somehow, it feels better. Stronger. Freer.
It’s not a miracle.
It’s neuroscience.
And it’s time more therapists and coaches understood why.
And it’s a story the rehab world isn’t telling often enough.
Because for many clients, athletes, and high-performers, the problem isn’t where the pain lives.
The real problem is how the brain is mapping threat, even in areas that seem structurally sound.
And until you change the input that the brain is listening to, you’ll keep chasing symptoms that won’t stick.
The Linear Myth: Treat Where It Hurts
Most traditional training, rehab, and movement systems are built on a local-fix model.
We’re taught to:
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Find the “tight” or painful area
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Mobilize it, stretch it, strengthen it
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Cue better movement patterns around it
And honestly, sometimes that works.
If a joint is stiff because of underuse or a muscle is tight from overuse, local tissue work can help. Strength training often restores function. Mobility work can relieve discomfort. Manual therapy can move the needle.
But for many clients, especially those with chronic tightness, recurrent injury, or movement avoidance that doesn’t match their physical ability, the linear model breaks down.
You stretch the shoulder, but it tightens back up.
You strengthen the core, but their back still flares under load.
You improve ankle dorsiflexion, but their squat still collapses.
These are the clients who leave sessions wondering:
“Why can I deadlift 300 pounds, but I can’t lift my arm overhead without pain?”
The answer lies in a different system entirely.
Because the issue often isn’t in the joint.
It’s in the brain’s interpretation of safety in that area.
And that interpretation is shaped by a hundred variables, most of which have nothing to do with the muscle itself.
The brain doesn’t care how strong your rotator cuff is if it doesn’t feel safe when your head turns left.
It doesn’t trust your hamstring if your visual system can’t anchor during a single-leg hinge.
It doesn’t greenlight shoulder flexion if the foot on the opposite side isn’t providing clear proprioceptive input.
Pain. Tightness. Range restriction. Shaky movement.
These aren’t signs of weakness or bad form.
They’re signs of protective outputs — the nervous system’s way of saying:
“That’s too risky. Let’s shut it down.”
So what do you do when tissue work doesn’t hold, strength doesn’t translate, and mobility drills don’t stick?
You stop treating the output.
And start listening to the input.
Threat vs. Dysfunction: A Brain-First Reframe
Let’s pause here.
Because this is where everything starts to shift, not just in how we treat movement, but in how we understand it.
Pain.
Tightness.
Limited range.
Compensation patterns that show up like clockwork under load.
We’ve been taught to see these things as dysfunctions, as if the body is broken, flawed, or lagging where it “should” be.
But what if that entire lens is wrong?
What if your client’s “tight hamstrings” aren’t tight at all… but protective?
What if their shoulder impingement is the nervous system pumping the brakes, not because the joint is bad, but because the brain doesn’t feel safe letting that joint go there?
These aren’t malfunctions.
They are protective outputs, intelligent, strategic, often subconscious responses from a brain doing exactly what it’s designed to do:
Protect the organism at all costs.
So when it senses instability, unpredictability, poor sensory input, or past trauma?
It doesn’t wait for permission.
It limits movement.
It recruits extra tone.
It tightens tissues.
It reroutes movement patterns.
It even sends pain signals, not because something is damaged, but because something is mismapped or misread.
“This movement, in this context, is not safe. I’m going to shut it down.”
That’s the real conversation happening under the surface of every tight shoulder and stubborn back.
And no amount of aggressive stretching, foam rolling, needling, or cuing can override that decision, not if the underlying threat hasn’t been resolved.
You can cue the perfect mechanics.
You can scrape, stretch, or press into that tissue until it’s blue.
You can regress and progress your programming all day long.
But if the brain is still operating under a perception of unsafety, if one of its core sensory systems is misfiring, underfed, or conflicting with the others?
It will fight you.
Relapse.
Stiffen up.
And block the very change you’re working so hard to create.
This is the turning point.
Once you understand that threat, not dysfunction, drives most of what we see in the clinic or on the gym floor, you stop blaming your clients for “not getting it” and start asking a better question:
“What’s making the brain feel unsafe and how can I change that?”
That’s where transformation begins.
Not just in movement, but in trust, confidence, and lasting change.
Enter the Indirect Reset
Here’s where things start to feel counterintuitive and, honestly, a little strange at first.
But once you experience it (or watch your clients transform in seconds), you can’t unsee it.
An indirect reset is any intervention that improves function or reduces threat in one part of the body…by working on an entirely different system.
It’s not about fixing the joint.
It’s not about drilling the painful movement pattern over and over until the body submits.
It’s about changing the quality of input the brain receives, especially from the systems it values most: vision, vestibular (inner ear), and proprioception (body awareness).
You don’t touch the pain site.
You don’t jam into the restricted range.
You don’t overcue or overcorrect.
You intervene upstream — in the sensory systems and global maps the brain is using to evaluate safety.
You might:
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Mobilize the opposite foot
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Stimulate the vagus nerve through breath or jaw work
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Use eye movement drills to recalibrate visual tracking
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Adjust tongue posture to enhance brainstem integration
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Stimulate a cranial nerve to reduce systemic tone
It sounds unrelated, even absurd.
But the body doesn’t move in isolated parts.
It moves and protects itself as an integrated network of systems.
And the brain rules the show.
Think of the nervous system like a surveillance system in a smart building.
If one of the cameras (say, in the basement) is flickering or glitching, the whole system might go into lockdown, even if there’s nothing visibly wrong in the lobby.
You could kick open the lobby doors, force them open with tools, or blame the hinges.
But until you reset the system at the source, the glitching camera, the lockdown will persist.
The same goes for movement.
You can push through the restriction.
You can roll it, stretch it, scrape it, and brace it.
But if the brain is flagging a hidden threat from another input system, the restriction will always return.
So instead, we take a different route.
We reset the input systems — the hidden “cameras” — that influence the brain’s global perception of threat.
And when the threat drops?
The nervous system lets go.
Mobility returns.
Stiffness dissolves.
Control comes back online.
It’s not passive release. It’s active permission.
The brain says:
“Okay, I’m safe here. You can move now.”
That’s the power of the indirect reset: subtle, surprising, and often the missing piece in your most frustrating client cases.
Case Study #1: The College Baseball Player Who Couldn’t Hit a Single Ball
“You don’t fix a brain by forcing the body. You ask the body what the brain is afraid of—and then you listen.”
That quote could’ve saved this baseball player a year of frustration—and saved a performance coach weeks of wasted mobility work. This isn't just about drills or diagnostics. It's about asking better questions, looking beyond the symptom, and understanding what the brain is actually saying.
The Background
He was a 20-year-old Division I athlete.
A second baseman. Hitting over .340.
And then? Two head collisions within three weeks.
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First, he collided with a right fielder and broke his nose.
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Two weeks later—cleared by medical—he slid into second base and took a knee to the helmet.
No loss of consciousness. But plenty of loss of performance.
By the time I saw him, his batting average had plummeted to .150. He’d lost his starting position. His scouts had stopped calling. His dad, a former MLB scout himself, brought him in saying, “This might be his last shot.”
That’s a heavy context. One that tells you: this isn’t just about eye convergence or tight hamstrings.
It’s about a brain that’s trying to keep him safe by doing its job—shutting down what feels threatening.
The Problem Behind the Problem
His main complaint?
“I see two baseballs when I step up to the plate.”
When we tested him, every visual and vestibular drill (Brock string, VOR, near-far, pencil pushups) was normal when standing upright in neutral. He crushed it.
But the moment he got into a batting stance?
Everything failed.
Double vision.
Disorientation.
Motor hesitation.
That’s not an eye problem. That’s a position-dependent neurological failure—a mismatch between what his vestibular and visual systems were telling him when under sport-specific load.
So we broke it down.
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In neutral stance → vestibular system aligned → horizontal is horizontal.
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In batting stance (hinged, rotated head, offset weight) → visual horizontal no longer matches environmental horizontal.
That shift changes how the brain interprets up/down, left/right, and the whole convergence pattern.
His extraocular muscles weren’t firing efficiently. His vestibular system couldn’t reorient to this new “normal.” His brain saw threat.
So it shut down vision to protect him.
Our Solution: Train The Brain, Not Just the Body
Here’s what we did:
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Sphenoid Mobilization in Position
We mobilized the sphenoid (key to cranial nerve function) in his batting stance.Not neutral.
Why? Because you don’t live or perform in neutral. He needed vision in his performance posture.
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Sensory Warm-Ups
We prepped his head and neck, jaw glides, and vestibular resets so the input was cleaner going in. -
Static Visual Training (Low Threat)
We downgraded from dynamic drills to gaze stabilization and Brock string—basic, low-movement, low-threat inputs in his batting stance. -
Layered Complexity Gradually
Once his system tolerated Brock string and pencil pushups without threat, we progressed to near-far, saccades, VOR, and finally, tracking an actual ball.
But Here’s the Twist: It Wasn’t Just His Vision
He also complained of tightness down his right side, and limited shoulder abduction (as in: barely 90°). His trainers had been stretching that shoulder 45 minutes a day for months.
Sound familiar?
So we tested foot mobility.
A few quick toe pulls and dorsal foot mobilizations—and suddenly his shoulder opened up.
He looked at me and said (direct quote):
“You’ve gotta be kidding me?"
That’s when we knew: toe pulls became his threat reset drill—a neurological safety blanket that downregulated his system between high-demand vision drills.
We cycled between visual work and proprioceptive resets, building skill without overloading the brain’s capacity for change.
By the end of the session?
He could do Brock string and pencil pushups in batting stance with clear single vision.
Follow-Up
Three months later, we got a call from his dad.
He was back in the lineup.
Back to hitting.
And back to getting noticed.
That’s the power of applied neurology; when you meet the athlete where their brain is, not just where their symptoms are.
Why Global Systems Modulate Local Output
Let’s start with a simple truth from neuroscience:
The body does not function in isolated segments —
It operates as a system of systems, each one influencing the others in real time.
And yet, most training and rehab models treat the body like a stack of independent parts — as if your shoulder is just a “shoulder,” and your ankle is just an “ankle.”
But your brain doesn’t see it that way.
It doesn’t recognize joints and muscles in isolation.
It reads patterns.
It interprets context.
And most importantly, it decides what movement is allowed based on input from multiple systems working together.
The “Big Three” Sensory Gatekeepers
The three primary sensory systems that govern movement and performance are:
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Visual system: Your eyes don’t just help you see — they help your brain orient your body in space, calibrate balance, and predict motion.
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Vestibular system: Located in the inner ear, this system controls equilibrium, head position, spatial orientation, and postural tone.
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Proprioceptive system: Your body’s map of itself — delivered through sensory receptors in joints, muscles, and skin — letting the brain know where you are and what you’re doing.
These systems are in constant cross-talk.
If one is off? The others must compensate.
If two are off? The body defaults to bracing, stiffness, or shutting down non-essential movement — all in the name of safety.
The Hidden Sensory Superhubs
Some parts of the body have an outsized influence on how the brain perceives threat and movement readiness.
Let’s name a few:
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The Feet: High-density sensory zones that tell the brain if you’re stable or at risk of falling. They shape gait, posture, and even core activation.
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The Jaw: Rich in cranial nerve input and connected to the limbic system (emotional regulation). It can affect posture, tone, and even anxiety.
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The Diaphragm: More than just a breathing muscle — it’s a central hub for core stability, vagus nerve input, and stress modulation.
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The Eyes: Control 70%+ of sensory input. If visual input is misaligned or unclear, everything from balance to shoulder flexion can suffer.
Behind the Curtain: The Brain’s Command Centers
Let’s not forget the deeper structures behind all movement:
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The Brainstem: Responsible for primitive survival reflexes and autonomic control — often the first responder to threat.
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The Cerebellum: The movement “refiner” — constantly adjusting precision, balance, and coordination.
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The Prefrontal Cortex: The “decision-maker” that interprets input, evaluates context, and governs complex movement planning.
If the data these structures receive is incomplete, mismatched, or chaotic — the resulting output will be distorted, restricted, or outright inhibited.
The Implication? Local Pain ≠ Local Problem
So when someone has:
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Chronic hip tightness
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Shoulder impingement that doesn’t resolve
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Balance issues on one side
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A sudden loss of range with no tissue damage…
It might not be a local issue at all.
It could be:
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Visual-vestibular conflict
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A compromised foot map
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Threat signals from past injuries or concussions
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Jaw or tongue dysfunction creating global tension
That’s why indirect resets work.
They tap into the upstream systems your brain uses to gauge safety and coordination.
By improving clarity in these systems, you modulate the threat and unlock better movement without ever touching the pain site.
Now that you understand why the body doesn’t play by “parts rules,” let’s explore how to use this practically, with real case studies and protocols that deliver fast, results.
Indirect Resets: Recalibrate the Input
Indirect resets let you:
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Reduce background noise in the sensory systems
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Improve inter-system coordination (eyes, ears, feet, jaw, breath)
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Decrease threat levels that the brain may not consciously recognize
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Trigger global safety responses that allow for motor unlocking
Instead of chasing symptoms, you’re shifting how the brain experiences the body.
That’s the leverage.
That’s the unlock.
And often, it’s the difference between a stuck client and a breakthrough.
So, when do indirect resets matter most?
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When you’ve tried everything biomechanically, and it’s still not clicking
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When your client is “strong” but lacks access to it in complex patterns
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When traditional rehab works for a bit… then regresses
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When the athlete’s performance is inconsistent under pressure
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When pain is present, but screens don’t “fail”
Indirect resets are a precision tool.
Not a replacement for strength, exposure, or skill development.
But when used at the right time, they accelerate everything else.
As a therapist or coach, your job isn’t just to build muscles or cue reps.
It’s to create safety, clarity, and integration — so the brain says:
“I trust this pattern. Let’s move.”
Indirect resets help you earn that trust faster.
Not by forcing the body into position…
But by giving the nervous system new information to work with.
Because when the brain gets better inputs....
The output often takes care of itself.
Principle 1: The Brain Doesn’t Care About Parts..
....It Cares About Patterns
Your shoulder isn't a shoulder to the brain.
It’s a pattern of sensory inputs — a complex blend of joint position, load, tension, visual anchoring, breath control, inner ear input, and memory.
So when threat shows up, the nervous system rarely says:
“Isolate and release the subscapularis.”
It says:
“Limit elevation. Lock this down. Reassign the task.”
And that global decision can be influenced from anywhere, not just locally.
That’s Why Foot Drills Can Reset Shoulder Function
Here’s how that works:
- The foot is a high-density sensory zone.
Mobilizing it increases afferent input and improves proprioceptive clarity. - The shoulder and foot sit on opposite ends of a fascial and neural chain.
Movement at one can influence tone and output in the other, especially through spiral patterns. - By activating or mobilizing the opposite foot, we engage cross-body neurological pathways, like:
- Inter-hemispheric integration
- Contralateral cerebellar activation
- Reflexive inhibition of overactive muscle tone
When the foot tells the brain,
“Hey, I’m grounded and safe,”
The shoulder may finally get permission to move again.
Principle 2: Input Is More Powerful Than Output
In rehab and performance, most of us focus on output:
- Force production
- Range of motion
- Motor control
- Coordination
But output is only possible after the brain receives, filters, and interprets input.
If the input is:
- Noisy
- Mismatched
- Lacking clarity
- Or unfamiliar
The output will be restricted or distorted.
This is why sensory drills — eye movement, foot loading, tongue position, breath work — can change motor function downstream.
Common Indirect Resets (and What They Might Help)
|
Reset Type |
System Targeted |
Possible Influence On |
|
Toe Pulls |
Proprioception |
Shoulder ROM, pelvic rotation, balance |
|
Jaw Glide/Nod |
Cranial Nerves & Vagus |
Vision, neck tension, anxiety, breathing |
|
Tongue Position |
Brainstem, midline input |
Core control, speech, deep stability |
|
Visual Drills |
Frontal Lobe, Cerebellum |
Motor planning, balance, shoulder flexion |
|
Vestibular Tilts |
Brainstem, oculomotor |
Posture, scapular control, gait symmetry |
Want to improve ankle dorsiflexion? Try a tongue drill.
Want to calm down a flared rib cage? Try a sphenoid mobilization.
Want better glute activation? Try an eye circle.
It sounds absurd… until you see it work.
Why This Matters for Coaches and Therapists
Indirect resets aren’t a party trick.
They’re not a distraction or a gimmick.
They are a strategic clinical tool — rooted in neuroscience — that gives you a way to work with the brain, not just against its defenses.
Let’s be honest:
You’ve probably had those sessions where you’ve cued everything right…
The form looks good…
The client “gets it” conceptually…
And yet — the body still says no.
The range won’t come.
The pain lingers.
The pattern compensates.
The progress plateaus.
That’s not a coaching failure — it’s a neurological reality.
When your client’s nervous system doesn’t feel safe — no matter how technically correct the movement is — it won’t grant full access.
That’s why:
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You stretch a tight hamstring, and it snaps back in a day.
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You drill glute bridges, but the hip still dumps forward.
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You slow the tempo, regress the movement, and still they shift, guard, or shake.
You’re working on the output…
But the input hasn’t changed.
How to Use Indirect Resets in Practice
1. Assess Locally. Think Globally.
Start by understanding where the problem shows up, then look at what sensory systems might be failing in the background.
Shoulder pain during elevation?
Check foot loading, visual fixation, and vestibular alignment.
Hip instability during gait?
Explore jaw mobility, contralateral scapular rhythm, and tongue posture.
2. Use Positional Inputs
Remember: context matters.
A client might pass a test in standing but fail in a split stance, rotation, or during a dynamic task.
Train and reset the nervous system in the position that triggers the threat, not just in neutral.
3. Reassess Frequently
The nervous system changes fast, sometimes within seconds.
Run your drill.
Do the reset.
Reassess the function.
If it improves? You’ve found a leverage point.
If it worsens? Adjust the input, or go lower threat.
4. Track High-Payoff Drills
Every client will respond differently.
Some will instantly open up with tongue work.
Others need visual drills.
Some need sphenoid mobilization or foot inputs.
Keep a record of what resets create the biggest impact; these become their personal “neurological toolbox.”
When NOT to Use Indirect Resets
While a great tool, indirect resets aren’t magic bullets. Avoid relying on them:
- Without proper assessment
- In acute trauma without clearance
- Without understanding their neuroanatomical implications
- As a substitute for long-term training, exposure, or skill acquisition
They are a tool.
Not a cure-all.
Change the Input, Change the Output
You don’t always need to grind into the joint.
You don’t always need to force mobility.
Sometimes, the fastest route to change is a detour.
Because the body doesn’t just move.
It responds.
And when you shift the brain’s perception of safety,
What was once locked down can suddenly feel free.
So the next time your client says,
“But we weren’t even working on that…”
Smile.
That’s the brain doing its job — just with better information.
