Learn – Brain Overload
Brain overload
We all have a lot going on in our life – and it is frustrating when we sustain an injury on top of all of that
Our brains are incredible things taking in information from all areas internal and external constantly. Our brain can get over-loaded with negative information from the body. Its only way of letting you know that it can’t cope is by telling you to stop, so that you change what you are doing. This message from the brain to the body is usually in the form of symptoms. These signs are not weaknesses – they are the body’s way of communicating that it needs space, calm, and care.
Symptoms can include:
- Pain, numbness, tingling, aching
- Restricted movement (stiffness)
- Muscle tension
- Headaches
- A cold or flu, feeling run-down
- Sleeping issues
- Heavy feeling in the chest, anxiety
- Shallow breathing patterns
- Digestive problems
- Etc…
Your body will tell you in its own way –
When the body or brain has taken on too much, it will send signals to slow down. Often that message arrives as a symptom: pain, stiffness, fatigue, or something that stops you from doing what you love. These signals are your body’s way of asking for change.
Different types of load can influence how much the body can handle:
Musculoskeletal load
The way you move, sit, or train adds up over time. Reducing physical strain through better posture, movement technique, and mobility can make daily life far more manageable.
Workload
Deadlines and demands can be harder to control, and during busy periods the body often pays the price.
Sleep
Rest is essential for recovery. While sometimes disrupted by things outside of your control (like a newborn or noisy roadworks), it still plays a major role in how well your body copes.
Rest and recovery
True downtime helps the nervous system reset. Whether that’s an afternoon off or small moments of stillness, rest matters.
Nutrition
The body performs best when fuelled well, but there will always be times when meals are out of your hands, such as long flights or dinners out.
Emotional load
Stress, worry, and strong emotions all affect the body. With the right strategies and support, this load can become more manageable.
General health load
The immune system, hormones, and underlying conditions also influence how your body feels day to day. When these systems are under pressure, symptoms can appear even without an obvious injury.
Finding calm when it all feels too much
Each Barefoot treatment plan is designed to help the body and nervous system find balance again. For those experiencing brain or body overload, this might mean releasing physical tension, retraining movement patterns and introducing strategies that support calm and focus.
Let's look at an example —
A client who is a Barrister had a deadline coming up in 3 months where a lot of work needed to be completed by the end date. There were loads that she could manage and others she couldn’t.
Managing musculoskeletal load
Looking at her workstation set up. The client arranged for a new chair that was more supportive and helped her maintain a better posture. She also took regular breaks from sitting at the computer. Booking ahead for regular tune ups with us for Physiotherapy. Injury Prevention. Planned for regular walks with her dog.
Managing work load
There was little that the client could do about the work load.
Managing sleep
The client maintained a somewhat forced regular sleep pattern through the 3 month period. This meant going to bed at a similar time every night (within 1/2hr) and waking up at a similar time each day.
Managing down time
The client found that for her, walking the dog regularly was a good way to clear her head whilst looking after her musculoskeletal system at the same time.
Managing nutrition
This client decided she would avoid alcohol for the 3 month period. She also decided to eat healthy every meal.
Managing emotional load
The client stayed focused on self assessment through the entire period. If she felt the work load start to feel like stress, she would breathe deeply, settle her thoughts, and continue.
Managing general health
This was already fine and stayed fine.
With all this planning of how to reduce load on her body and brain, the client made it through the busy work period without disruption or exhaustion and was able to continue on with her work at a normal pace after this, symptom-free. Looking after all the aspect in her life in a good way, reduced any negative messages being sent to the brain. Therefore, the brain had no reason to tell her that there was a problem!
Example B —
Everyone will approach their situation differently, and there are many options for all of us. In another scenario, someone may have needed to do this. Example B:
Managing musculoskeletal load
Client B may have needed to spend time stretching or using a tennis ball/foam roller to massage themselves for 15 mins everyday.
Or to go to Yoga x1-2/week
Managing work load
Client B may have discussed the work stress and developed a plan of how to prioritize the work tasks that were due with their colleagues/Boss.
Or, Client B may have arrived at work 1hr earlier each day of that busy work period to achieve more of the workload instead of leaving 1 hour later, therefore feeling like there was still enough down time at the end of the day
Managing sleep
Client B may have a new born baby and is unable to change this
Managing down time
Client B may like to go to the movies, spend time listening to music or enjoy catching up with friends as their down time. But again, this may be limited by the new born.
Managing nutrition
Client B may be gluten free and needed some help with options for good food intake. They could get assistance from a Nutritionist/Dietician, Naturopath or GP
Managing emotional load
Client B may have needed more support than what their colleagues and Boss had given them and applied for a Psychology referral through work.
Client B may have not been stressed from the workload, but more due to the emotional rollercoaster of having a new born. This client may have attended the meditation or Yin classes at yoga to help deal with this.
At Barefoot Physiotherapy, we can help you manage Musculoskeletal reasons for why your brain is being overloaded. We do this by assessing for warning signs in the body. Warning signs include:
- Nerve irritability
- Muscle spasm/tightness
- Joint hypomobility (stiffness) or hypermobility (excess movement)
- Muscle weakness
- Postural Accumulative Strain
- Tendon, ligament, cartilage or boney damage
- Your thoughts towards your body – negative thoughts, fear of movement, worry, concern
To solve the underlying cause of a condition in your body, we need to do a very thorough musculoskeletal assessment from head to toe. After this thorough assessment, we can work out whether we are the person to help you, or whether the cause may be of a non-musculoskeletal nature, and seeing a different therapist or doctor may help you more. We can typically work this out in 1-3 sessions.
Truly holistic care
Each Barefoot treatment plan starts by understanding all of these layers of load. By calming the nervous system, improving movement, and building strategies that fit real life, care becomes more than just pain relief. It’s about helping your body handle what life throws at it and move with ease again.
An assessment doesn’t have to wait until symptoms appear. A preventative check can identify early signs of strain or imbalance before they become an issue. It’s a proactive way to support long-term health and keep your body moving freely. For anyone wanting to live their Barefoot lifestyle for longer, this is a powerful first step.
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Find calm, clarity, and confidence in your body again with Barefoot Physiotherapy.
Each session is designed to help the nervous system settle, restore movement, and support lasting change.
Call 1300 842 850 to chat with the team about booking options, or make an appointment online today.
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Discover how calm and clarity can return to both body and mind. Each Barefoot session focuses on restoring balance in the nervous system, improving movement, and creating strategies that keep the body feeling supported long-term.
The goal is lasting ease – not just relief. Barefoot Physiotherapy provides considered, evidence-based care designed to help people move freely and feel at home in their body again.