For a long time, scientists thought that if you damaged brain cells when you were an adult, you probably wouldn’t be able to recover. They didn’t think the brain could change once you were past childhood.
Today, we know that isn’t true. The brain has an ability called neuroplasticity. That means it can change, adapt and form new connections, even after it’s been damaged because of injury or illness. Neuroplasticity plays an important role in the brain’s recovery and rehabilitation.
What is neuroplasticity?
“Neuroplasticity is the brain's ability to reorganize itself,” said Andrew Ho, DO, a neurologist with Banner Sun Health Research Institute. The brain can change the way it’s structured and how it functions. It can strengthen existing connections and form new ones and these changes can affect how those circuits function all together.
“This process continues throughout your life and it is fundamental to learning, memory, recovery from neurological injury and adapting to changing demands,” Dr. Ho said.
Neuroplasticity isn't just about recovery and rehab. “Learning a new skill, like playing an instrument, can physically reshape brain regions. Also, the brain remains plastic throughout life. It’s more pronounced in youth but even older adults can form new connections,” Dr. Ho said.
What neuroplasticity isn’t
Neuroplasticity doesn’t mean the brain heals instantly or without effort. Recovery usually requires:
- Time
- Practice
- Professional guidance
It also doesn’t guarantee that you will be able to return to the activities you could do in the past. But improvement is usually possible, even when progress feels slow.
How the brain changes after injury or illness
When part of the brain is injured, like after a stroke, concussion or neurological illness, some connections may be lost or weakened.
“Brain injury or illness damages brain cells, which are called neurons. This damage may harm the way neurons function and, in some cases, lead to neuron death. When neurons die, they do not regenerate in the way we think other parts of the body do. Instead, the brain relies mostly on neuroplasticity to reorganize the remaining networks,” Dr. Ho said.
Through neuroplasticity:
- Healthy areas of the brain can take on more important roles
- New pathways can develop with practice and repetition
- Skills that were affected may improve over time
Some recovery happens naturally, especially early on. But guided therapy helps the brain relearn skills more effectively.
What neuroplasticity can help improve
Neuroplasticity supports recovery in many areas, including:
- Motor skills like movement, balance and coordination
- Speech and language
- Memory, attention and problem-solving
- Emotional control and stress response
Progress often happens gradually, with effort. Small gains can add up over time.
What supports healthy neuroplasticity
Certain therapies can help your brain adapt better:
- Repetition: Practicing a skill over and over to strengthen new brain pathways
- Task-specific practice: Training the exact skill you want to improve
- Learning new things: Challenging the brain with new activities to help with overall neuroplasticity
These habits can also support your brain:
- Physical activity: Movement increases blood flow and supports brain health.
- Sleep and nutrition: The brain needs rest and fuel to rewire.
- Social engagement: Connecting with others boosts neuroplasticity.
- Stress management: High-stress situations can use neuroplasticity in a negative way, which may reinforce pathways you don’t want to strengthen, like addiction.
The role of rehabilitation and therapy
Rehabilitation plays a major role in guiding neuroplasticity. “Rehabilitation and therapy use repetition to strengthen and rewire neural circuits. By practicing tasks, the brain reinforces pathways so it can recover function or skill,” Dr. Ho said.
Common therapies include:
- Physical therapy to rebuild your strength and movement
- Occupational therapy, so you’re more able to complete daily activities
- Speech therapy for communication and swallowing
Therapists design exercises that challenge the brain in specific ways so it can adapt and recover. They also create intentional, structured interventions that reinforce positive patterns, not negative ones.
What can limit neuroplasticity
Some factors can slow or interfere with brain recovery:
- Long periods of inactivity
- Ongoing stress
- Untreated anxiety or depression
- Poor sleep
- Unmanaged medical conditions
- Alcohol use
- Aging
You can change most of these factors, which can help create a better environment for your brain to heal.
When to talk to a provider
Care that starts early and continues over time can make a big difference in your recovery. Consider speaking with a provider if you:
- Have had a stroke, brain injury or neurological condition
- Feel your recovery has plateaued
- Want to explore rehabilitation options
The bottom line
Neuroplasticity shows us that the brain is more resilient than we used to believe. With the right support, practice and care, the brain can adapt and regain function after injury or illness.
If you or a loved one is recovering from an injury or illness that affected the brain, a Banner Health provider can help create a customized rehab plan focused on healing and long-term brain health. Schedule an appointment today.
