A groundbreaking discovery in the field of neuroscience has the potential to revolutionize the way somatic practitioners and clinicians understand the mind-body connection. The somato-cognitive action network (SCAN) provides new insights into how the brain coordinates movement, emotions, and physiological responses.

In this post, we'll explore how SCAN connects with emotions and physiological responses, the homunculus, how and why the SCAN is different than the homunculus, and potential implications for somatics professionals, especially in movement and emotional regulation, as well as sexual health.

Understanding the SCAN and Its Connection to
Our Emotions and Physiological Responses

What is the SCAN?

The SCAN is a recently discovered brain network that plays a key role in integrating body control, action planning, and higher-level executive control related to movement coordination. It is functionally connected to brain regions involved in free will, movement intentions, and processing somatosensory, pain, and visceral signals. It was identified using fMRI technology, which is relevant, because prior to this ‘lens’, scientists hadn’t looked at how our motor control areas actually function. I know. I was a bit surprised as well. Think of it.. fMRI has been around since 1990. It took 30+ years? But I digress….

The Role of SCAN in Coordinating Movement and Emotions

The SCAN plays a crucial role in the coordination and execution of movement by integrating various cognitive, emotional, and physiological processes. Its involvement in movement and coordination goes beyond the control of isolated body parts and delves into the complex interactions of whole-body actions, making it an essential aspect of motor control.

Goal-directed actions:

The SCAN is responsible for integrating goal-oriented behavior and action planning. This means that it helps coordinate the sequence of movements required to achieve a specific purpose, such as reaching for an object, balancing the body, or smoothly transitioning between different postures.

Postural adjustments and anticipatory responses:

The SCAN allows for pre-action anticipatory postural changes, which are essential for maintaining balance and preventing injury during movement. It helps the body adjust its posture, breathing, and cardiovascular responses in anticipation of an action, enabling smooth and efficient movement execution.

Interconnectedness with other brain networks:

The SCAN's functional connections with other brain networks, such as the sensorimotor (having to do with our senses and our movement), cognitive (having to do with how our mind operates), and emotional systems, contribute to the complex coordination of movements. These connections allow for the integration of sensory feedback, emotional states, and cognitive processes, ensuring that movements are not only precise but also adaptive to the individual's internal and external environment. I’m waiting for someone to invoke the vagus nerve :-)

Multisensory integration:

The SCAN's involvement in processing somatosensory, pain, and visceral signals allows for the integration of various sensory inputs during movement. This multisensory integration helps to fine-tune motor control, enabling individuals to adjust their movements based on the feedback they receive from their body and their environment. I’m curious if/how this might impact understanding synesthesia?

Allostasis and Physiological Integration

Allostasis is the dynamic process by which the body adapts to maintain stability and balance in response to changing internal and external conditions. The SCAN provides a substrate for this integration, enabling pre-action anticipatory postural, breathing, cardiovascular, and arousal changes, such as shoulder tension, increased heart rate, or "butterflies in the stomach." By coordinating these physiological responses, the SCAN helps individuals achieve their goals through movement while avoiding injury and maintaining physiological balance. This discovery provides a measurable distinction between anticipation and action as they relate to stress. I’m blown away! Just - WOW.

The Homunculus and the SCAN: Comparing and Contrasting

The Classical Homunculus Model

The homunculus is a concept in neuroscience that represents a map of the human body within the brain, specifically within the primary motor cortex (which controls movement) and the primary somatosensory cortex (which processes touch and other sensory input). This map helps us understand how different parts of the body are connected to and represented in the brain.

The classical homunculus model, introduced by neurosurgeon Wilder Penfield in the 1930s and 1940s, showed an orderly and continuous arrangement of body parts along the cortex.

In the classical homunculus model, body parts are organized along the cortex in an orderly, continuous fashion. The size of each body part in the homunculus corresponds to the amount of cortical area dedicated to it, reflecting the density of neural connections and the degree of motor control or sensory perception associated with that body part. For example, the hands, face, and tongue have larger representations in the homunculus due to their greater sensitivity and finer motor control

How SCAN Differs from the Homunculus

The difference between the classical understanding and the new findings on SCAN lies in the recognition of an integrative system within the primary motor cortex. This system not only controls specific body parts but also plans and coordinates whole-body actions by integrating cognitive and physiological processes. The presence of inter-effector regions in the primary motor cortex, which work in tandem with effector-specific regions, enables SCAN to regulate whole-body, integrated motion alongside the control of isolated body parts. This new understanding of SCAN's role in coordinating movements provides a more detailed and comprehensive picture of how our brains control movement and coordinate actions.

The "Integrate-Isolate" Model: A New Perspective on Motor Control

The new model proposes that there are two intertwined systems within the primary motor cortex: one for controlling specific body parts, and another for planning and coordinating whole-body actions. This dual system allows for greater integration of movement, emotions, and physiological responses.

As one of the researchers describes this finding in a recent Scientific American article, “Instead of a continuous head-to-toe representation of body movements in a single homunculus, our findings show this neural representation of the body is sliced into three sections, one for the feet, another for the hands and a third for the mouth. … All three turn out to be interconnected, and we found that they are responsible for a range of tasks, including planning, regulating internal organs and even becoming active when someone is just thinking about a making some movement—in essence, forming a link between mind and body.”

Potential Practical Applications for SCAN in Somatic and Embodiment Practices

I have some thoughts on how this new discovery is relevant for those of us in the somatic space - especially those who work with trauma. I’m sharing below, with the full knowing that the SCAN is new, and all of this is potential benefit, which will be affirmed or not as scientists continue to investigate this area of the brain.

Sound Healing and Vibrations

The SCAN's role in coordinating movement and emotions may have implications for sound healing and vibrations. By incorporating sound healing practices into their work, somatic practitioners and yogis can potentially influence the SCAN and promote greater integration of movement, emotions, and physiological responses. I’ve observed integration in my work with neurodivergent individuals and folks resolving trauma. I’m curious how SCAN is involved in this process - if at all.

Yin Yoga

Yin yoga, with its focus on deep, slow stretches and mindful relaxation, may also be an ideal practice for engaging the SCAN. By encouraging clients to explore the connections between their movements, emotions, and physiological responses, somatic practitioners and yogis can help clients achieve greater balance, integration, and overall well-being.Deepening Mind-Body Connection

Emotional Regulation through Movement

SCAN's involvement in processing pain, somatosensory, and visceral signals suggests that it plays a role in emotional regulation. Practitioners can explore movement-based therapies that focus on engaging the SCAN to help clients process and regulate their emotions. This could involve incorporating specific movement patterns or sequences that stimulate the SCAN and support emotional processing, ultimately promoting emotional well-being.

Pain Management and Reduction

The connection between SCAN and pain processing offers opportunities for somatic and embodiment practitioners to develop new approaches to pain management and reduction. By understanding how SCAN influences pain perception and processing, practitioners can create targeted interventions that address the underlying neurological mechanisms, potentially leading to more effective pain relief strategies.

Performance in Sports and Athletics

Athletes and sports enthusiasts can benefit from the insights gained about SCAN's role in coordinating whole-body movements and integrating cognitive and physiological processes. Coaches and trainers can develop targeted training programs that focus on activating and engaging SCAN to optimize performance, improve motor control, and promote efficient movement patterns. The anticipation aspect of the findings indicate to me biological evidence for visualization.

Supporting Recovery from Injuries and Disabilities

An understanding of SCAN's function in movement coordination and integration could be invaluable for rehabilitation professionals working with clients recovering from injuries or dealing with movement disabilities. By targeting SCAN in therapy sessions, practitioners can create customized rehabilitation plans that help clients regain movement control, coordination, and overall functional ability. I’m remembering my experience with Functional Neurological Disorder, and how important it was to ‘ignore’ the signals and retrain my brain. This discovery has me deeply curious.

Developing New Somatic and Embodiment Techniques

The discovery of SCAN provides an opportunity for somatic and embodiment practitioners to develop new techniques and practices based on the latest neurological understanding of movement coordination and integration. By incorporating the insights gained about SCAN's role in coordinating whole-body movements and higher-level executive control, practitioners can create innovative methods that promote well-being, emotional regulation, and overall mind-body health.

Tailoring mindfulness practices for motor control and coordination

With the knowledge of SCAN's role in the integration of cognitive and physiological processes, somatic practitioners can develop mindfulness techniques that specifically target motor control and coordination. These practices can help individuals become more aware of their body's movements and develop a greater sense of control over their actions. By incorporating tailored mindfulness practices into their sessions, somatic practitioners can help clients improve their overall motor skills and body awareness.

SCAN and Sexual Health

The SCAN's involvement in the integration of body control, action planning, and higher-level executive control related to movement coordination may have implications for sexual health as well. By understanding how the SCAN functions in coordinating movements and emotions, somatic practitioners and yogis can potentially develop more effective approaches to address sexual health concerns and promote overall well-being. I’m considering these ideas as relevant to practitioners and subject matter nerds.

Enhanced body awareness and intimacy

Developing a deeper understanding of the SCAN and its role in integrating cognitive and physiological processes could help individuals enhance their body awareness, leading to a greater sense of intimacy and connection with themselves and their partners. Somatic and embodiment practices that focus on building this awareness can foster a more mindful approach to sexual experiences, allowing individuals to better tune into their own bodily sensations and the sensations of their partners.

Supporting emotional regulation during sexual experiences

Emotional regulation is a critical aspect of sexual health and well-being. As the SCAN is involved in the processing of emotions and physiological responses, incorporating practices that target the SCAN's functions could potentially help individuals better navigate the emotional landscape of their sexual experiences. By recognizing and addressing emotional states in real-time, individuals can create a more fulfilling and emotionally balanced sexual experience for themselves and their partners.

Addressing sexual pain and discomfort through mind-body integration

Sexual pain and discomfort can have a significant impact on an individual's sexual health and overall well-being. As the SCAN is involved in the processing of pain signals and the integration of body control and movement, somatic and embodiment practices that target this network may help address and alleviate sexual pain. By fostering a greater connection between the mind and body, individuals may be able to identify the sources of their discomfort and develop strategies to address and mitigate these issues, ultimately enhancing their sexual experiences.

Cultivating self-compassion and acceptance in sexual experiences

Understanding the role of the SCAN in integrating cognitive and physiological processes can help individuals develop self-compassion and acceptance in their sexual experiences. Somatic and embodiment practices that promote mindfulness and self-awareness can empower individuals to recognize and embrace their unique sexual needs and desires, fostering a more positive and accepting relationship with their sexuality. By cultivating self-compassion, individuals can overcome feelings of shame or guilt and create more authentic and satisfying sexual connections with themselves and their partners.

Enhancing communication and attunement in sexual relationships

The SCAN's involvement in the integration of cognitive and physiological processes provides a foundation for understanding how communication and attunement in sexual relationships can be improved. Somatic and embodiment practices can help individuals become more aware of their own body signals and emotions, allowing them to better communicate their needs and desires to their partners. This heightened awareness can also foster greater attunement to the emotional and physiological states of their partners, leading to a more empathetic and connected sexual experience for both parties. By cultivating these skills, individuals can strengthen the emotional bond in their relationships and enhance their overall sexual health and well-being.

Addressing Trauma from the Bottom-Up

The SCAN's involvement in integrating cognitive, emotional, and physiological processes offers a unique opportunity for somatic and embodiment practitioners to address trauma from a bottom-up perspective. By focusing on the body's sensations, movements, and physiological responses, practitioners can help clients process and release stored traumatic memories and emotions. Here are some practical applications for addressing trauma using the knowledge of SCAN, as we continue to learn about this area of the brain.

Somatic Experiencing and Trauma Release

Somatic experiencing is a body-oriented approach to healing trauma that focuses on releasing stored stress and tension in the body. By understanding the role of SCAN in coordinating and integrating cognitive and physiological processes, practitioners can develop targeted somatic experiencing techniques that engage the SCAN to facilitate trauma release and emotional regulation.

Resourcing through Body Awareness

Developing body awareness through practices that engage the SCAN can help clients build a sense of safety and resilience in their bodies. By teaching clients to tune into their body's signals, practitioners can support them in developing a deeper sense of connection to their physical and emotional selves, ultimately fostering a greater capacity for self-regulation and healing.

Nervous System Regulation through Breathwork and Movement

Since SCAN is involved in coordinating various physiological processes, including breathing and cardiovascular responses, practitioners can use breathwork and movement techniques to regulate the nervous system and promote a sense of calm and relaxation. By activating SCAN and facilitating the integration of cognitive and physiological processes, clients can develop more effective strategies for self-regulation in the face of stress and trauma.

Fostering resilience and stress management through SCAN-focused practices

Understanding the SCAN's involvement in physiological allostasis and emotional regulation allows somatic practitioners to create practices that build resilience and enhance stress management. By focusing on the integration of cognitive and physiological processes, these practices can help clients develop a better understanding of their stress responses and learn to adapt more effectively to life's challenges. By nurturing resilience and stress management skills, clients can improve their overall emotional well-being and navigate life's challenges with greater ease.

By incorporating the understanding of SCAN in these trauma-focused applications, somatic and embodiment practitioners can develop more effective bottom-up approaches to help clients heal from traumatic experiences and build resilience.

Conclusion

The discovery of the somato-cognitive action network (SCAN) has the potential to revolutionize the way somatic practitioners and yogis approach their work. By deepening our understanding of the complex interplay between movement, emotions, and physiological responses, professionals can develop more effective and holistic approaches to support clients in achieving greater balance, integration, and overall well-being. It’s gaveoing to take time before we in the embodiment/wellness space have access to and insight that we can directly apply in our work, and as I’ve shown above - this discovery, I believe, is going to change everything.

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In Service,

Katie