Neuroprocessing: Phrase-based challenges to self-limiting beliefs and nervous system patterns
Have you ever caught yourself in a situation where you just can’t say something…. like “I hope the Denver Broncos win the Super Bowl”. (If you live here in Kansas City - NEVER!) Your tongue won’t even attempt to utter such nonsense! It just gets stuck in your throat and the pit of your stomach tightens and your whole body refuses to participate because it isn’t a personal truth to you. And you probably never want it to be a truth, either!
What about when you try to look at yourself in the mirror and say something positive, like “I love my body”. Or “I am so proud of my choices". Have you ever struggled to say one of those to yourself and believe it in your soul?
Let’s take it a step further and consider an important part of health that many people struggle with, like quality sleep. Can you honestly say to yourself, “It is easy to wake up at 6:30 am” or “It is safe to sleep through the night” or “I quickly fall back to sleep after waking to use the bathroom”.
If your body and mind don’t embrace these phrases, you might be facing challenges that affect your overall well-being—like sleep issues, emotional intimacy, and even chronic health problems.
At a cellular level, our nervous systems can develop patterns that reinforce self-limiting beliefs, blocking us from achieving optimal health.
A Childhood Memory
When I was around three years old and couldn’t even peek over the top of the dinner table, my family was having a gathering at my grandparent’s house. Like most little kids, I liked dessert, so I was hunting around for a tasty after-dinner treat while the adults were cleaning up. I thought I saw a viable option on the countertop, so I asked my aunt if she would get me a small bowl of what I perceived to be “ice cream”. She looked at the bowl of cottage cheese on the counter, assumed I knew what I was talking about, and proceeded to grant my request. The shock of the unexpected flavor made me spit it out immediately! My aunt blinked in surprise, and apologized that she didn’t realize I didn’t know it was cottage cheese. To this day, just the thought of lifting a spoonful of cottage cheese to my lips makes my whole body tense. That early experience created a neurological pattern to protect me from the unpleasant surprise of “not ice cream.” (my pattern is called “zipped lips” and “utter disgust”).
Our nervous systems react to perceived threats in both our internal and external environments, especially if we’ve developed pathways that trigger “survival mode.” Symptoms of this mode can include:
Anxiety and Depression
Difficulty sleeping
Digestive issues
Infertility
Increased heart rate
Chronic headaches
Chronic disease
And more…
Why does this happen?
Often, the origins of these responses are clear, like being bitten by a dog as a child. It would make sense to get nervous any time a dog barks. Trauma responses are often stored in our bodies and may be triggered by similar events throughout life if they are not fully processed and released. This may also help explain why our bodies exhibit a stress response at times that may seem inappropriate
What about when you logically know you are safe, but your body doesn’t act accordingly? Then what do you do? How do you detect the origin of the trigger?
Enter Neuroprocessing.
Using the Koren Specific Technique (KST), an assessment method that uses a binary system to check for priorities for healthier adaptation in the nervous system, Dr. Kevin Ross has created a process to detect resistance in the nervous system to certain phrases. This resistance can reveal patterns that inhibit your ability to express health and wellness. These patterns may stem from early life experiences or even inherited beliefs. Sometimes, they aren’t tied to conscious memories but operate at a cellular level.
How does Neuroprocessing work?
Neuroprocessing uses the patient’s own voice to make statements to challenge if the phrase is a truth to the body. The provider then interprets cues from the body to determine if there is an old nervous system pattern associated with that statement that needs to be addressed. If a pattern presents to be worked on, the provider will use his or her skill set to help process the old pattern and “update the system” to the present moment. (That’s right - living in the past doesn’t typically help us to be the best version of ourselves!)
Neuroprocessing
“Often, the patient will not even be able to say the phrase if it isn’t registering as a truth to the body.”
Often, the patient will not even be able to say the phrase if it isn’t registering as a truth to the body. Think back to my example about looking at yourself in the mirror and saying “I love you”. Or shouting “GO BRONCOS!”. You may be able to feel that tightness in your throat just thinking about it…
A Simple Example
A patient traveled to Japan for two weeks. When she returned, her body clock was all out of whack. Sleep was rough, energy was low, and let’s just say she wasn’t the most patient version of herself. To check and see if there was a pattern to work on, I had her say these phrases:
“There are 24 hours in a day.” Her body’s cues indicated, “Yes,” and agreed there were 24 hours in a day. Good, she still believed she was on planet Earth.
“It is 9:36am in Kansas City.” Her body’s cues indicated, “No,” and seemed to believe otherwise. BINGO! Her nervous system hadn’t updated to Central Time in the United States.
After some targeted adjustments, we revisited the phrase, and her body accepted it. The result? She felt more energized and vibrant, and her posture even improved!
The Path to Transformation
The possibilities with Neuroprocessing are endless, spanning various aspects of life—anxiety, performance, money, and even trauma. Here are a few phrases to consider:
Anxiety: “I easily recognize my anxiety.”
Anger: “I acknowledge that anger is unmet expectations.”
Performance: “It is safe to try new things.”
PTSD: “I allow the past to live in the past.”
Any area where you feel stuck can be explored through this transformative method. I find it to be incredibly powerful, especially when combined with Chiropractic Adjustments, Cranial Work, and Soft Tissue therapies.
The Next Step
If you’re curious about how Neuroprocessing can help you break free from limiting beliefs and enhance your well-being, I invite you to reach out. Whether at Mind and Body Family Wellness or through a KST provider near you, this innovative work is designed to empower you on your journey to better health.
Here’s to unlocking your potential!
Warmly yours,
Dr. Jessica Tallman
Chiropractor, Founder
Mind and Body Family Wellness