When looking at typical pictures of the brain from the front or from above they are always presented as being very symmetrical. It’s enough to make us think that the functioning of the brain is also symmetrical. However, that is not the case. Though there are certain functions that are similarly handled by both sides, such as, hearing and vision, the right and left sides of the brain are not necessarily fixed evenly in their neural tasks. For example, in hearing and in seeing we tend to have a dominant side as we do when it comes to right-handedness or left-handedness. It is not unusual for one eye to see better than the other or for one ear to hear better than the other.
It is not just handedness that can influence asymmetry in brain function but also the experiences of living that have influenced neural functioning left and right, such as with the effects of physical or emotional trauma. Trauma is rarely, if ever, symmetrical. Conditions such as damage to brain and organ tissues or dissociation due to traumatic relationships may compromise the brain’s ability to function.
It is well known that the hemispheres of the brain do not have completely identical functioning. The left brain, for example, contains the centers that are more involved with language learning, understanding and verbalizing while the right brain more relates to balance and proprioception. The left brain is the verbal communicator while the right brain is the nonverbal communicator. Difficulties with the right brain may involve problems understanding emotions and feeling creative while difficulties with the left brain may show up as problems understanding language and expressing oneself. Assets of the right brain may show up as being able to see the big picture of the world whereas assets with the left brain show up as being able to discern more of the detailed view.
Porges states in his text: “The polyvaval theory predicts that once the cortical regulation of the brainstem structures involved in the social engagement are activated, social behavior and communication will spontaneously occur as the natural emergent properties of the biological system. This intervention ‘stimulates’ and ‘exercises’ the neural pathways involved in listening and simultaneously stimulates the function of other aspects of the social engagement system.” (p.18)
Melillo tells us that when the right and left sides of the brain do not mature at the same rate electrical impulses between the two side gets out of balance and don’t communicate with each other and results in functional disconnection (p.8). He says that in order for the brain to be normal the right and left hemispheres must work in harmony and lists that one of the pillars of his brain balancing program is sensorimotor exercises and integration.
The Tuning Board is a tool that stimulates the brainstem through movement allowing the brainstem the opportunity to practice sensorimotor stimulation and integration at the micro and larger levels. Using the Tuning Board we will witness the expressions that emerge from this process and identify those related to left brain, right brain and their integrative functions.
