Functional neurology

Functional neurology is a treatment approach for various neurological disorders. In general, they treat brain injury patients, degenerative disorders (such as dementia), movement disorders, vestibular challenges (i.e. balance and dizziness issues), or any other neurological disease or disorder of unknown origin (typically something that traditional doctors have not been able to diagnose and treat successfully). However, each clinician may have their own subspecialties. Functional neurology may use some combination of brain-based rehabilitative exercises, chiropractic manipulation, other rehabilitative modalities (electrical stimulation, soft tissue mobilization, etc) and recommended lifestyle changes (diet, supplementation, exercise, etc.).

Traditional medical neurology treats neurological disease or pathology with the use of drugs and surgery. While this may work for some patients, others feel that it doesn’t fully address the root cause. Functional neurology looks at the dysfunction in the nervous system, even before this is a medical diagnosis, and aims to treat a broader array of brain dysfunction through receptor or brain-based rehabilitative therapy.

Functional Neurology works on the approach of NEUROPLASTICITY, which is the ability for the brain and nervous system to change in response to physical, emotional, and environmental stimuli. Our doctors then combine this with their extensive knowledge of the nervous system to activate pathways to the brain and create long-term positive changes and reduce symptoms.

Functional neurology could be used to treat a variety of conditions, including:

Migraine
Childhood developmental disorders (ADHD, ADD, autism spectrum)
Brain injury (post-concussive, TBI, post-stroke)
Balance disorders
Movement disorders
Autoimmunity
Fatigue
Vertigo
Chronic Pain
Memory Loss
Dystonia
Tremors

Functional neurology could be used to treat a variety of conditions, including:

Migraine
Childhood developmental disorders (ADHD, ADD, autism spectrum)
Brain injury (post-concussive, TBI, post-stroke)
Balance disorders
Movement disorders
Autoimmunity
Fatigue
Vertigo
Chronic Pain
Memory Loss
Dystonia
Tremors

meet our functional neurology team

DC., DACNB, FACMUAP

Rachel A. Sullivant

Chiropractic School: Life Chiropractic College West
Undergraduate: University of Michigan-Ann Arbor
Expertise: Chiropractic, Functional Neurology

Dr. Rachel Sullivant began her journey in the healthcare field in high school. Her first job was as an assistant in a Flint chiropractic practice where she developed a passion for people and helping her community. She attended the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor, where she worked on a longitudinal health study at Michigan’s School of Public Health. She also spent two years working with the SWAN Study (Study of Women Across the Nation), which provides research and data on aging in women and the health implications they may face.

After graduating from Michigan with a Bachelor of Science in Neuroscience, she began her post-graduate studies in the Doctor of Chiropractic program at Life Chiropractic College West in the Bay Area of California. She graduated Summa Cum Laude in 2016 and passed her diplomate exam through the American Chiropractic Neurology Board in 2018 after completing 300 hours of post-doctoral studies through the Carrick Institute in Clinical Neurology.

Since graduating, Dr. Sullivant has worked to grow the chiropractic department at Insight Institute of Neurosurgery & Neuroscience. She specializes in motor vehicle accidents, post-surgical patients, and migraines. Her office recently partnered with the Flint Firebirds, a professional hockey team in the Ontario Hockey League, providing spinal care and post-concussive therapy to the players and coaches.

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