By name: neuroskill-protocols-body description: Body, somatic, neck, eye, headache, and motor protocols — interventions for physical tension, headache_index, migraine_index, stillness, mu_suppression, eye strain, and spectral_centroid.
Body Protocols
(This is a domain sub-skill of the neuroskill-protocols repertoire. For the personalisation engine, API integration guide, modality router, and matching guidance, see the parent neuroskill-protocols skill. For evidence collection rules, see neuroskill-evidence.)
BODY & SOMATIC
Progressive Muscle Relaxation → physical tension, high beta hyperarousal, high bar at rest
Systematic tense/release: feet → calves → thighs → belly → hands → arms → face.
Somatic Body Scan → low integration, dissociation, trauma processing
Slow top-down scan — notice, name, and allow each sensation without changing it.
Grounding (5-4-3-2-1) → acute distress, panic onset, dissociation 5 sights → 4 textures → 3 sounds → 2 smells → 1 taste. Fast sensory anchor. ◈ Visually impaired: 5 textures → 4 sounds → 3 temperatures → 2 smells → 1 taste. ◈ Child: "Spy game! Find 5 red things, 4 soft things, 3 noises…" ◈ Non-English speaker: Can be done in any language or entirely without words — just point and touch. ◈ In the dark (bed, night): 5 textures (sheets, pillow, skin, hair, mattress) → 4 sounds → 3 body sensations → 2 smells → 1 taste.
Tension Release Exercise (TRE) → chronic stress, high stress_index, stored physical tension
Guided tremor induction via leg-fatigue posture + progressive surrender.
MOTOR & EMBODIMENT
Motor Cortex Activation → high mu_suppression, high stillness after long static sitting
Gentle cross-body movements: alternate hand-to-knee taps, shoulder rolls, arm circles.
Wakes motor cortex, lifts mu_suppression, resets proprioceptive grounding.
Desk Yoga Sequence → stillness > 0.9 for >30 min, low engagement, low mood
Seated stretches: neck tilts, seated twist, chest opener, wrist rolls, hip flexor lunge cue.
NECK & CERVICAL RELIEF
(Offer whenever the user mentions neck tension, headache radiating from neck,
prolonged screen time, or when headache_index > 20 + high stillness.)
Neck Release Sequence → headache_index elevated, stillness > 0.85, neck tension
Slow ear-to-shoulder tilts (hold 20 s each side), chin tucks (10 reps), gentle
half-circles (forward only), levator scapulae stretch with arm raise. ~5 min.
Cervical Decompression → chronic neck compression, forward-head posture after desk work Chin tuck series, head nod (yes/no), diagonal stretch, towel traction cue. ~8 min.
Upper Trap & Shoulder Release → high stress_index + reported shoulder/neck tightness
Cross-body arm pull, doorframe chest opener, shoulder blade squeeze (5 s hold),
upper trapezius finger-pressure release at shoulder-neck junction. ~5 min.
EYE EXERCISES & VISUAL RECOVERY
(Offer after prolonged screen sessions, high cognitive_load or spectral_centroid,
or when the user reports eye strain, blurred vision, or dry eyes.)
20-20-20 Vision Reset → any long screen session, high spectral_centroid
Look at something 20 feet away for 20 seconds. Blink reminder + palming cool-down. ~2 min.
Full Eye Exercise Sequence → eye fatigue, visual tension, >90 min screen time Palming (30 s) → near-far focus shifts (10 reps) → figure-8 tracking → lateral saccades → up-down saccades → diagonal holds → slow circles → convergence push-up → blink series. ~8 min.
Palming & Blink Recovery → dry eyes, eye burning, migraine_index elevated
Warm hands over closed eyes, full blinks every 3–4 s. Pair with: slow nasal breathing,
OR just rest in the darkness (passive), OR gentle humming. The palming and warmth are
the active ingredients. ~3 min.
HEADACHE & MIGRAINE
Cortical Quieting → headache_index > 30, migraine_index > 20
Sensory withdrawal: dark/quiet room + cool compress on forehead or neck. Pair with:
very slow nasal breathing, OR just lie still with the compress (passive), OR ear massage
(auricular vagal), OR humming at a low pitch. The sensory reduction is the primary
intervention — the pairing is secondary and should match what the person can tolerate
when in pain.
Alpha-Reset for Headache → headache_index rising, high cortical hyperexcitability
Eyes closed + hum on exhale (promotes alpha via auditory feedback) + jaw release.