urbanwalker72 said:Well, you aren't likely heading to prison because such gentle therapy couldn't possibly damage anyone's health. As for the feedback, I already told you: being satisfied is nice, but it isn't proof.
I handle the first part on a daily basis without issue, which can be partially seen in the studies on my website. However, achieving full splits requires much more time, and crucially, it depends on whether the clients actually want and desire it—though it also relies heavily on the condition of the joints following prolonged periods of the aforementioned issues, since not everything can be returned to its previous state.
That is precisely what I was arguing. It takes time, provided it even works at all. If the CNS were truly so plastic that it could be permanently altered overnight, they would be hitting full splits after the very first session.
In fact, is it true that most people are capable of a full split while unconscious?
If this is merely a matter of manipulating the CNS, why does it require so much time, whereas correcting postural issues takes so little? Isn't that effectively the same thing—teaching a new movement pattern to the CNS?
Plasticity applies over the long term, whereas hard-wired patterns govern the short term. The longer a pattern is established, the harder it becomes to change.
You correct something in five days or five repetitions; that’s why I asked about the difference between learning proper posture five times versus attempting a full split five times. A plastic CNS handles both.
For the sake of this argument, let’s just assume that is how it works. Everything originates in the brain, within the CNS. However, if we follow that logic, if someone can manage to pull into a split while unconscious, they should theoretically be able to do the same while awake, given how easily you claim to manipulate the CNS.
What we actually observe in practice is that subconscious processes governed by the autonomic nervous system cannot be altered quickly or through sheer willpower, much like how one cannot simply command their heart rate, the contraction of smooth muscles, or glandular functions to change on a whim.
This principle extends to the range of motion and overall posture as well. It isn't impossible to change these things, but it is incredibly difficult. That is precisely why it is called the autonomic nervous system; it isn't called the remote-control nervous system.
Of course it’s going to take time—it always does.
So you set this deadline yourself—what exactly am I supposed to do with that? You want me to try and fix postural issues with physical therapy in just one month and then compare the results? (Scientifically speaking, obviously.) You’ve already got the photos and the dates; I don't need anything else from you. Honestly, if someone actually wanted to learn how to do full splits in a single month—especially after spending years dealing with all those nagging postural issues caused by a sedentary office lifestyle and developing a personality that just accepts living that way—well, trying to teach them that would be unethical. It wouldn't serve anyone. Once a person finally corrects their postural issues in a month, they actually need some time to integrate those changes into their daily life. They need to sit less, move more, and realize that moving is actually a pleasure now rather than a chore. Maybe then, they'll develop the desire to work toward full splits—and sure, they can learn to do that too, of course, but certainly not overnight.
Think about it this way—if you look at any kid from birth up to age five, they absorb more about how to move than during any other five-year window of their entire lives. But here’s the kicker: they do all that without ever touching a weight, forcing themselves through grueling sessions, dealing with pain, or obsessing over stretching. It’s all just gentle, easy, fluid motion. Why can't we get back to that? What's up? ...which means you can really see how intense it all is—and honestly, you shouldn't go around underestimating it, either.
So, let me wrap this all up—basically, here’s the gist of it...
Fixing your posture? Honestly, that doesn't take much time at all—just a bit of focus. But if you’re talking about actually absorbing those new movements and making them stick? That’s a different story entirely. Automating those patterns while maintaining conscious control over the automation... well, that takes some real time. And frankly, it's the only way to make sure you don't just slide right back into your old, bad habits.
It’s kind of like dealing with an alcoholic—it isn't just about that moment they decide to quit drinking. That's only half the battle. The much harder part—the part that takes way longer and is significantly more grueling—is actually removing all those triggers and hazards that might lead them right back to the bottle in the first place. It’s about clearing the path, isn't it?