What Is Functional Neurology?
Functional neurology, also known as chiropractic neurology, is a branch of alternative healthcare focused on optimizing and restoring nervous system function without pharmaceuticals or surgery. Practitioners, often chiropractors with specialized training, evaluate and treat neurological dysfunction by identifying subtle deficits in brain and nervous system activity and using non-invasive techniques to promote neuroplasticity - the brain's ability to reorganize and form new neural connections.
Key Aspects of Functional Neurology:
Neuroplasticity-Driven Therapy: Treatments are designed to stimulate the brain and nervous system to "rewire" itself. The idea is that targeted exercises and sensory inputs can improve or restore function in specific areas of the brain.
Comprehensive Assessment: Functional neurologists assess a patient’s reflexes, eye movements, coordination, and sensory responses to pinpoint specific areas of neurological dysfunction that may not appear on traditional imaging or standard neurological exams.
Personalized Treatment Plans: Treatments are tailored to each individual, often combining exercises, lifestyle modifications, sensory stimulation, dietary adjustments, and hands-on techniques to address specific neurological deficits.
Conditions Treated: Functional neurology is often used to address conditions like concussions, migraines, vertigo, balance disorders, neurodegenerative diseases (like Parkinson’s), ADHD, Autism, and other cognitive or emotional issues. It can also support individuals recovering from strokes or traumatic brain injuries and so much more.
Non-Invasive Techniques: Treatments might include vestibular exercises, eye movement training, light or sound therapy, vagus nerve stimulation, photobiomodulation, and neurofeedback, among others, to stimulate targeted brain areas and promote improved functionality.
Functional neurology emphasizes a holistic view, aiming to understand how various systems in the body affect neurological health and addressing the root causes of dysfunction rather than just managing symptoms.
