Functional Neurology
At SWBPC, we utilize Functional Neurology to evaluate the compromised areas of a patient’s nervous system. Research has proven that regeneration of damaged areas of the nervous system is possible. This is incredibly valuable for patients who have sustained injuries such as strokes, concussions, and mild traumatic brain injuries. Functional Neurology is most effective for individuals who have been treated by traditional care but have not achieved clinical improvements.
The doctors at SWBPC utilize cognitive and physical activities, a host of diagnostic testing procedures, and a myriad of other therapies to create individualized treatment plans to create a positive change in the lives of our patients.
Conditions We Treat
Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI)
A Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) can be the result of a violent blow or jolt to the head or body. Over half of all reported TBIs are the result of an auto accident, as trauma to the brain can occur when your head hits the steering wheel, headrest or windshield. A TBI may also occur during a “whiplash” event or even a percussive explosion, such as occurs in combat. If not properly diagnosed or treated, a Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) may cause long term changes in many areas of your body and lifestyle.
TBI EVENTS WE SEE
A stroke occurs when the flow of oxygen-rich blood is restricted to the brain. Starved of oxygen, brain cells will start to die within a few minutes. Damage may also occur if sudden bleeding occurs in the brain. When brain cells die or become damaged, symptoms will start to present in the parts of the body that these brain cells controlled. Examples of stroke symptoms include trouble speaking, paralysis or numbness in face, arms, or legs, and sudden weakness.
Auto accidents account for more than half of all reported TBI. This trauma can occur when an individual strikes their head against the steering wheel or windshield. However, it can also occur when the individual does not strike anything. A TBI is the result of a moving head coming to a quick stop but the brain continues to move and strikes the inside of the skull. This can happen when the seatbelt quickly restrains a passenger. It is also important to note that an open wound is not necessary for a TBI to occur.
Unfortunately, repeated TBIs are common among victims of domestic violence. Individuals who have experienced this trauma are often at a higher risk of developing Post-Concussion Syndrome. A TBI can also occur from domestic assault by a stranger.
CONCUSSION/POST-CONCUSSION SYNDROME (PCS)
A concussion is a mild Traumatic Brain Injury (mTBI) that occurs after a blow to the head. Post-Concussion Syndrome (PCS) is a complex condition in which various symptoms last for several weeks to even months after the injury that caused the initial concussion. PCS is more common that people realize, and many individuals have been dealing with PCS unknowingly.
Symptoms of a concussion typically present within the first seven to 10 days after an individual hits their head, and can resolve within three months. However, if left untreated, they can persist for a year or more. Symptom of a concussion can include:
Cognitive
Brain fog, poor concentration, difficulty focusing, memory issues, and impaired judgement.
Physical
Light sensitivity, noise sensitivity and headaches.
Emotional
Depression, anxiety, irrational or impulsive behavior, and loss of motivation.
Sleep
Sleepiness, excessive lethargy and insomnia.
To learn more about our Functional Neurology Treatment, click below.
DYSAUTONOMIA
Dysautonomia is a general term used to describe a variety of conditions related to dysfunction of the autonomic nervous system (ANS). As the result of injury, the sympathetic (fight or flight) or parasympathetic (rest and digest) system can either be overly active or under active. The ANS is involved in the automatic control of essential functions such as heart rate, blood pressure, respiration rate, temperature, sweating and other functions that do not require our conscious control.
CONDITIONS WE SEE
Postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome (POTS) is a condition that affects circulation and is a form of orthostatic intolerance whose symptoms manifest when an individual stands up from a reclining position. While the cause of POTS is poorly understood, individuals typically begin to experience episodes after pregnancy, brain trauma, major surgery, or a viral illness.
Individuals who suffer from chronic migraines often suffer from Dysautonomia. A migraine headache typically recurs in an individual and causes moderate to severe pain. Usually beginning on one side of the head, the pain is often described as throbbing or pulsing. This pain typically lasts for several hours up to several days, and can be worsened by physical activity, light or sound.
VESTIBULAR DISORDERS
The vestibular system includes the parts of the inner ear and brain that process the sensory information involved with controlling eye movement and balance. These types of disorders are the result of disease or injuries which have damaged these processing areas and can be worsened by environmental or genetic conditions. However, they can occur for unknown reasons.
CONDITIONS WE SEE
Dizziness can originate from several sources. It may stem from the peripheral vestibular system (the inner ear and the pathways connecting it to the brainstem), or the central vestibular system (the brainstem and brain). While most individuals will experience dizziness symptoms that are clearly identified as originated in either peripheral or central vestibular systems, there are people who have a full mix of the two groups.
Cervicogenic dizziness, or cervical vertigo, can occur as the result of neck disorders or trauma to the cervical spine, or poor neck posture. Symptoms include dizziness or a sensation of spinning that is related to turning of the head, ear pain, neck pain, nausea and vomiting. This condition will usually respond positively to chiropractic adjustments, but more severe cases may require vestibular rehabilitation.
Benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV) is a common disorder stemming from the inner ear and is the most common cause of vertigo. Symptoms consist of brief symptoms of dizziness and spinning that changes with the position of your head or body. Symptoms can also include; nausea, light-headedness and loss of balance. BPPV is usually initiated by changes in the position of the head such as tipping the head up or down too quickly. Even sudden movements of the head from side to side (rolling over in bed) can cause symptoms. BPPV arises when the motion sensing, calcium-based crystals in our inner ear break down and displace from the inner ear otoliths into the semicircular canals. While BPPV is not life-threatening, it can be life-changing to some patients as the symptoms can be life-altering and range from minor to severe.
Mal de Debarquement Syndrome (MdDS) is a movement disorder that typically arises after a cruise or air travel, or can occur spontaneously. Symptoms include a continuous rocking/rolling sensation or swaying, nausea, sensitivity to light or sound, and vision issues. It is believed that MdDS originates in the vestibular system and is a relatively unfamiliar condition to most physicians. Fortunately, the doctors at SWBPC are familiar with MdDS and have treated numerous patients with this condition.
A vestibular migraine can often cause repeated dizziness or vertigo in people who have suffered from migraines before. However, unlike the traditional migraine, an individual may not always have a headache. Symptoms include dizziness from looking at moving objects, feeling imbalanced, lightheadedness, nausea and vomiting.
To learn more about our Functional Neurology Treatment, click below.
PRIMITIVE REFLEX REMEDIATION
Primitive reflexes are automatic, involuntary movements necessary to a baby's survival in the first few weeks of life. These reflexes are quickly inhibited as higher centers of the brain develop and voluntary responses dominate. Primitive reflexes persisting beyond six to 12 months of life are considered abnormal. Children sometimes have a number of persistent primitive reflexes present with neuro-developmental disorders.
PRIMITIVE REFLEX REMEDIATIONS WE SEE
The Moro Reflex is the earliest form of "fight or flight" (reaction to stress) that is fully present at birth and is usually inhibited between two to four months. When it persists, children may be over reactive, hypersensitive, stimulus bound, and have difficulty with ball games.
The Spinal Galant is actively present at birth and inhibited by three to nine months. If fully retained or only retained on one side, it may affect posture, gait and other forms of locomotion and is responsible for bedwetting, fidgeting, poor concentration and short-term memory, and hip rotation to one side when walking.
Asymmetrical Tonic Neck Reflex (ATNR) is fully present at birth and develops eye-hand coordination, trains one side of the body at a time, and extends ability to focus from 17 cm to arm’s length. It is inhibited at about six months of life so that focus on distant objects can develop. If it persists, it can affect handwriting, eye tracking, cause difficulty crossing the midline, and ambilaterality or cross-laterality.
The Tonic Labyrinthine Reflex (TLR) is fully present at birth, is inhibited by four months, and is closely linked to the Moro Reflex as both are vestibular in origin and activated by movement of the head. When retained, it can lead to spatial problems, poor posture and muscle tone, motion sickness, visual perceptual difficulties, poor sequencing skills and a poor sense of time.
The Tonic Labyrinthine Reflex (TLR) Backwards emerges at birth, is inhibited gradually from six weeks to three years, and is involved in the simultaneous development of postural reflexes, symmetrical tonic neck reflex and the Landau reflex. If retained, it can result in poor balance and coordination, organizational skills and stiff jerky movements.
The Symmetrical Tonic Neck Reflex (Flexion & Extension) emerges at about six to nine months, and is inhibited about nine to 11 months. If retained, it affects posture, hand-eye coordination and swimming skills. Also, it results in the tendency to slump when sitting at a desk, an ape-like walk, difficulties with binocular vision, "clumsy child" syndrome, slowness at copying tasks and messy eating habits.
