7 Reasons Why Health Coaches Should Learn To Train the Brainstem

Have you ever wondered why some clients struggle with posture, coordination, or recovery, despite following a solid training program, no matter the education of the programer given?

The answer may lie in the brainstem—a vital yet often overlooked neurological powerhouse.

For health coaches, understanding and training the brainstem can unlock hard-to-come-by results for clients, improving performance, reducing pain, and enhancing overall health.

One such area is POSTURE.  The one area most health practitioners, trainers, and therapists struggle to make change.

Here are seven compelling reasons why the brainstem should be at the core of your coaching approach:

1. The Brainstem Regulates Movement and Coordination

The brainstem is the command center for motor control and coordination:

•  Flexion and Extension Balance: The midbrain facilitates flexion (e.g., bending movements), while the pons facilitates extension (e.g., upright posture). A well-functioning brainstem ensures smoother, more efficient movements.

•  Reflexive Control: From catching a ball to stabilizing during a lift, the brainstem’s role in reflexive actions is critical for sports and daily activities.

2. It Ensures Postural Stability

Posture is the foundation of all movement, and the brainstem reflexively controls it:

•  Muscle Tone Regulation: The PMRF (Ponto Medullary Reticular Formation) manages the balance between flexor and extensor muscles, keeping clients upright and aligned.

•  Injury Prevention: Proper postural tone reduces compensatory patterns that can lead to overuse injuries.

3. It Optimizes Neurological Inputs for Performance

Great performance starts with accurate sensory processing, a key function of the brainstem:

•  Sensory Integration: The brainstem processes signals from the eyes, ears, and body, ensuring balance, coordination, and spatial awareness.

•  Faster Reactions: The brainstem enhances reaction times by filtering sensory inputs, which is essential for athletes and high-intensity training.

4. It Regulates Stress and Recovery

The brainstem controls the autonomic nervous system, balancing stress and recovery:

•  Sympathetic Activation for Movement: During exercise, the brainstem increases heart rate, breathing, and blood flow to support performance.

•  Parasympathetic Recovery: After training, it helps shift the body into rest-and-recovery mode, promoting faster healing and reduced stress.

5. It Reduces Pain and Enhances Recovery

A properly functioning brainstem helps manage pain and supports recovery:

•  Pain Inhibition: The PMRF inhibits nociceptive signals, preventing chronic pain from limiting performance.

•  Injury Avoidance: Balanced motor patterns and autonomic regulation reduce the likelihood of overtraining and acute injuries.

6. It Improves Breathing and Energy Efficiency

Breathing is fundamental to every form of exercise, and the brainstem ensures it happens efficiently:

•  Respiratory Regulation: The pons and medulla control the rhythm and depth of breathing, optimizing oxygen delivery.

•  Energy Management: By ensuring steady oxygen and glucose flow, the brainstem helps sustain energy during both endurance and strength activities.

7. It Enhances Mental Focus and Stress Resilience

The brainstem's influence on the nervous system also impacts cognitive performance:

•  Focus in Training: It ensures optimal sensory processing, keeping clients present and engaged in their workouts.

•  Stress Resilience: A healthy brainstem supports a balanced stress response, preventing burnout and fostering motivation.

Why This Matters for Health Coaches

Training the brainstem isn’t just about adding a new technique—it’s about addressing the root of performance, pain, and recovery issues.

By incorporating brainstem-targeted exercises such as cranial nerve drills, breathing techniques, and sensory training, you can offer a unique and transformative approach to client care.

Ready to Learn How? Our mentorship program equips health coaches with the tools and knowledge to train the brainstem effectively.

Learn how to:

• Assess, Reassess, and address neurological imbalances.

• Enhance posture, movement, and recovery through brain-first training.

• Deliver results that set you apart as a health professional.

Take the Next Step The brainstem is the key to unlocking your clients’ full potential. Join our mentorship program today and become the health coach who transforms lives through innovative, brain-first training.