Human beings cannot consciously move any muscles. So, then the question we need to ask is: What can we do - to move speech muscles during a stutter block?

Human beings cannot consciously move any muscles. So, then the question we need to ask is: What can we do - to move speech muscles during a stutter block? We tend to believe that we can consciously move our muscles, like finger muscles when grabbing a pen. **Is this truly so?** If you say, that you CAN move your finger muscles consciously. Then ask yourself: **What exactly are you moving in your fingers?** Do you intentionally contract each individual muscle fiber - in your fingers, or is it actually the components like actin, myosin, and calcium ions that drive this action? Are you deliberately transmitting electrical signals to these muscle fibers? Take a look at the 17 steps that unfold when we humans move our (speech) muscles. ​ >**1. Decision-making and Intent Formation:** The process begins with a conscious decision or intent to initiate a voluntary muscle movement, whether it's for general body movement or speech production. > >**2. Higher Brain Area Activation:** The intent is processed in higher brain areas, such as the prefrontal cortex and supplementary motor area, for both general movements and speech-specific actions. > >**3. Broca's Area Activation (Speech-Specific):** For speech production, Broca's area in the left hemisphere is involved in generating motor programs for speech sound sequences. > >**4. Wernicke's Area Involvement (Speech-Specific):** Wernicke's area aids in selecting appropriate words and constructing grammatically correct sentences for speech. > >**5. Arcuate Fasciculus Communication (Speech-Specific):** The arcuate fasciculus facilitates communication between Broca's and Wernicke's areas for integrated language planning and comprehension during speech. > >**6. Motor Cortex Activation:** Both for general movement and speech, the intent is transmitted to the motor cortex, responsible for generating voluntary muscle movements. > >**7. Primary Motor Cortex Activation (Speech-Specific):** Specific regions within the primary motor cortex correspond to the fine motor control required for articulating speech sounds. > >**8. Motor Neuron Activation:** Motor neurons are activated in response to the signals from the motor cortex, transmitting signals from the brain to the target muscles or speech-related muscles. > >**9. Signal Transmission:** Action potentials travel down motor neurons' axons, transmitting electrical signals toward the muscles involved in either general movement or speech production. > >**10. Neuromuscular Junction Activation:** At the neuromuscular junction, for general movement or speech-related muscles, action potentials trigger the release of neurotransmitters, initiating muscle fiber stimulation. > >**11. Speech-Specific Processes:** In speech production, additional processes come into play: > >Phonological processing helps select appropriate speech sounds and arrange them. > >Emotional and expressive control modulate speech output. > >Mirror neurons aid in imitation and learning of speech patterns. > >**12. Muscle Fiber Stimulation:** Released neurotransmitters bind to muscle fiber receptors, causing depolarization and initiating muscle contraction. > >**13. Calcium Release:** The action potential triggers the release of calcium ions, which initiate the molecular events leading to cross-bridge formation. > >**14. Cross-Bridge Formation:** Actin and myosin interactions lead to the formation of cross-bridges, allowing the muscle fiber to contract. > >**15. Speech-Specific Control:** For speech, the brain controls precise muscle movements to produce specific speech sounds, involving: > >Cerebellar coordination and refinement. > >Basal ganglia's role in selection and initiation. > >Auditory feedback monitoring for real-time adjustments. > >**16. Energy Supply:** ATP is hydrolyzed to provide energy for muscle contraction or speech-related muscle movements. > >**17. Muscle Contraction or Speech Production:** Coordinated muscle contractions lead to the desired body movement or the production of speech sounds. ​ We are often fully zoomed in on step #17, trying to consciously move the muscles for speech during a speech block. Yet, it's impossible for any human to move muscles in this manner. Consequently, we find ourselves stuck in a block by following an incorrect step from the list above. Here's a final question for all who come across this. **Which action from this list can we consciously carry out to help with speech movements when we're stuck in a block?** (an action we didn't take while being stuck)