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. To learn more information about this treatment approach, check out this recent review of functional neurology. To see this care in action, you can watch this short video from ABC News Nightline where it was featured.

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