This review is a critical assessment of recent advances in the utilization of mechanical stimuli towards exploiting nervous tissue growth and formation. The authors discuss current in vitro systems designed to restate the mechanical environment of developing neural tissues, and the advancements made in integrating these systems into the clinical setting.

Pfister, Bryan J., Jonathan M. Grasman, and Joseph R. Loverde. "Exploiting biomechanics to direct the formation of nervous tissue." Current Opinion in Biomedical Engineering 14 (2020), 59-66. doi:10.1016/j.cobme.2020.05.009.

KEY POINTS: BIOMECHANICS & THE FORMATION OF NERVOUS TISSUE

• Mechanics can be used to guide and accelerate neuronal expansion.
• The central nervous system plays a key role in initiating the autonomic functions and coordinated actions of every being.
• The peripheral nervous system coordinates signal transmission between the central nervous systems...

Integrating neural mobility exercises into functional movements and clinical Pilates practice can have multiple benefits, regardless of whether a client is displaying neural mechanosensitivity: all tissues in the body need to move!

Key Points: Neurodynamics

• Mechanical and physiological events within the nervous system are dynamically interdependent.
• Neurodynamics (ND) is the term used to describe the integration of the morphology,
  biomechanics, and physiology of the nervous system." ¹⁰
  
• In neurodynamics, posture and multi-joint movements are combined to apply force to a nerve.
• Mobilisation triggers a range of responses in nervous tissues, including tension and pressure changes, and positive impacts on nervous impulses, axonal transport, viscoelasticity, microcirculation, and abnormal impulse-generating sites.
• Theoretically, neural mobilisation restores homeostasis in and around the nerve, dispersing intraneural oedema in the nerve root and axon, thereby decreasing...

Integrating neural mobility exercises into functional movements and clinical Pilates practice can have multiple benefits, regardless of whether a client is displaying neural mechanosensitivity: all tissues in the body need to move!

NEURODYNAMICS

• Mechanical and physiological events within the nervous system are dynamically interdependent. Functionally, that means that nerves have to be able to move in order to work optimally.
• Neurodynamics is essentially the dynamic movement of the peripheral nerves of the body, although clinically and in rehab, the term neurodynamics pertains to nervous system mobilization for neuropathic pain.
• In practice, when performing neurodynamic exercises, posture and multi-joint movements are combined to apply force to a nerve.

Mobilisation triggers a range of responses in nervous tissues, including tension and pressure changes, and positive impacts on nervous impulses, axonal transport, viscoelasticity, microcirculation, and abnormal...