The Brain’s Way of Healing audiobook cover - Stories of Remarkable Recoveries and Discoveries

The Brain’s Way of Healing

Stories of Remarkable Recoveries and Discoveries

Norman Doidge

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The Brain’s Way of Healing
Core Philosophy+
Chronic Pain+
Parkinson’s Disease+
Stroke Recovery+
Vision Loss+
Brain Injury & Paralysis+
Multiple Sclerosis (MS)+
Dyslexia & Autism+

Quiz — Test Your Understanding

Question 1 of 8
How did Dr. Michael Moskowitz successfully treat his 13-year bout of chronic pain?
  • A. By visualizing a map of his brain and imagining the pain-processing neurons transforming back into regular neurons.
  • B. By engaging in intensive physical therapy and deep tissue massage to repair damaged nerve cells.
  • C. By using a low-frequency laser device on his neck to manually block pain signals.
  • D. By taking experimental neuro-suppressant medications that numbed his central nervous system.
Question 2 of 8
How does conscious movement and moderate walking help Parkinson’s patients like John Pepper?
  • A. It physically repairs the damaged neurons located within the basal ganglia.
  • B. It shifts movement control from the malfunctioning basal ganglia to the prefrontal cortex.
  • C. It stimulates the production of dopamine in the brain stem to replace what was lost.
  • D. It uses high-intensity cardiovascular exercise to shock the nervous system into resetting.
Question 3 of 8
What is the core principle of the Feldenkrais technique used to help stroke victims recover their abilities?
  • A. High-intensity strength training to rapidly rebuild lost muscle memory.
  • B. Using external electrical stimulation to force involuntary muscle contractions.
  • C. Slow, conscious micro-movements that stimulate connections between the brain and nerves.
  • D. Complete sensory deprivation to allow the brain to rest and reset completely.
Question 4 of 8
According to the text, what is a crucial first step before a patient with severe vision issues can begin eye-strengthening exercises?
  • A. Undergoing a minor surgical procedure to clear cataracts or scar tissue.
  • B. Relaxing the eyes and letting go of tension, often through gentle head and eye movements.
  • C. Exposing the eyes to targeted low-impact laser therapy to stimulate the optic nerve.
  • D. Wearing specialized corrective lenses for several months to adjust focal length.
Question 5 of 8
What condition must be met for laser acupuncture to effectively help patients recover from stroke paralysis, according to Dr. Margaret Naser's research?
  • A. The patient must be treated within 24 hours of the initial stroke.
  • B. At least 50 percent of the neurons in the patient's brain must be working correctly.
  • C. The patient must simultaneously practice the Feldenkrais technique during laser application.
  • D. The laser must be applied directly to the damaged hemisphere of the brain, not the body.
Question 6 of 8
Why is the tongue an effective area for electrical stimulation to treat widespread neurological damage like Multiple Sclerosis?
  • A. It is the only muscle in the body that remains completely unaffected by central nervous system disorders.
  • B. It operates on a separate neural network that bypasses the spinal cord entirely.
  • C. It has the highest concentration of sensory receptors that connect directly to various parts of the entire brain.
  • D. It produces saliva, which naturally conducts electrical impulses more efficiently than dry skin.
Question 7 of 8
How does Dr. Alfred Tomatis' 'Electronic Ear' device help treat conditions like dyslexia and autism?
  • A. It plays soothing, continuous low-frequency tones that put the brain into a highly receptive sleep state.
  • B. It translates written words into auditory signals to help the brain associate text with sound.
  • C. It jumps unpredictably between high and low frequencies to stimulate the brain's communication centers.
  • D. It amplifies the patient's own voice to build confidence in verbal communication and social interaction.
Question 8 of 8
What is the overarching message of 'The Brain’s Way of Healing' regarding neurological disorders?
  • A. Modern medicine and invasive surgery are the only reliable ways to cure serious neurological diseases.
  • B. The brain is hardwired from birth, but patients can learn psychological coping mechanisms for their limitations.
  • C. Neurological diseases are strictly irreversible, but their physical symptoms can be managed with the right medication.
  • D. The brain is organic and changeable, meaning many 'incurable' disorders can be reversed with proper neural stimulation.

The Brain’s Way of Healing — Full Chapter Overview

The Brain’s Way of Healing Summary & Overview

The Brain’s Way of Healing (2015) highlights the human brain’s amazing ability to change its structure and develop new ways of coping with disorders. The brain, whether by being “rewired” to process information in new ways or by being “trained” through repetitive exercises, can overcome debilitating diseases and heal itself.

Who Should Listen to The Brain’s Way of Healing?

  • People suffering from a neurological disorder such as Parkinson’s or multiple sclerosis
  • Physicians and therapists who work with people trying to recover from brain damage
  • Students of neurology looking for new ways to cure old problems

About the Author: Norman Doidge

Norman Doidge is a psychiatrist specializing in neuroscience and the use of alternative methods for stimulating the brain. He is a graduate of the University of Toronto, a former resident of Columbia University’s Department of Psychiatry and author of the New York Times best-selling book The Brain That Changes Itself.

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