Neuroplasticity

 It seems totally obvious that whilst we accept that the brain controls the functions of the body through the complex nerves that connect the brain to the bodies extremities, equally the brain receives information about the bodies condition from and within those self same nerve paths. The information received by the brain through these pathways has an effect on the brain as it obtains the sense of health, or otherwise from different parts of the body. If one were to stimulate a part of the body that was not functioning properly that act of stimulation would send a message to the brain and effect a response from the brain that was supportive.
Acupuncture must work in this way. The needles stimulate a sensation which is received by the brain and the brain responds by providing that specific part of the body with what ever the body needs to become once again a healthy participant in the holistic view of a healthy body.
Neuroplasticity. The Brains ability to reorganise itself though changes in neural pathways due to environment or behaviour, allow some compensation for injury and disease. In these cases the mind is being asked to influence the brain to raise, in the dormant areas of the brain the opportunity to take over the job of the damaged part of the brain.
The old expression "mind over matter" comes to 'mind' since the person who has experienced damage to some part of their cognitive process or the functioning of certain parts of the body through the brains functioning such as in a stroke. That part of the brain which has been damaged, those functions which the body needs to receive the appropriate signals, the brain can be encouraged to use another part which has not been damaged to take over the function.
The stimulation seems to require a tremendous amount of discipline and repetitive nudging by the patient through exercise but the possibility of encouraging a new part of the brain, by the mind to accept a new role is monumental in its potential.
Many of our deep seated illnesses are seated in the brain and now we begin to see the brain not as a fixture but as an agricultural project which, fields laying fallow, can be brought into production by the correct application of fertiliser.
Neuroplasticity of course asks the question. If the brain is open to being moulded and changed by intensive interaction from the mind, why do we not pursue this form of reasoning when we teach children, particularly children with learning and emotional problems.
It also has an Orwellian content in that outside influence is seen as the final arbiter and with the right social tools the brain can be manipulated, plasticised into any shape and form desirable.