At Northoak Chiropractic, we use an integrative approach to treat concussions, which combines standard chiropractic care, nutritional and metabolic tools, testing procedures, and functional neurology.
Functional neurology can be an important tool for addressing neurological problems, including concussions and traumatic brain injuries (TBIs). In this blog, we will explain the basics of functional neurology and how it works to treat concussions.
What is Functional Neurology?
Functional neurology is a method of chiropractic care that aims to address disorders affecting the brain and central nervous system (CNS). The approach was pioneered by Canadian chiropractor Dr. Ted Carrick in the 1970s and it is sometimes called ‘chiropractic neurology’.
According to the Functional Neurology Society website: “Functional Neurology has developed from basic neuroscience principles and an understanding of how the most recent scientific research can be applied to patient care.”
Functional neurology was developed from a number of ideas popularized by modern neuroscientific research, most notably the concept of neuroplasticity. The idea behind neuroplasticity is that brains can change and adapt over the course of our lifetime (even well into adulthood), in response to the specific demands placed upon them.
As you may know, our brains are constituted from millions of tiny cells called neurons, which generate brain activity by firing electrical signals between one another. The routes traveled by these electrical signals are known as neural pathways. When neural pathways are used or activated, more connections are created between cells in the pathway and the pathway becomes more efficient and easier to fire.
Neuroplasticity first advanced the idea that these pathways could be rewired — providing a treatment options for individuals suffering from severe brain damage or other neurological problems.
How Functional Neurology Works
As we explained before, neuroplasticity allows brains to change and adapt in response to the specific demands placed upon them. By intentionally directing brain activity to open neural pathways, in areas affected by brain damage, you can help the areas of the brain that need the most support.
This action of rebuilding or rewiring a brain’s capacity is what functional neurology is all about — driving neuroplasticity in injured areas.
The first step in your treatment is a diagnosis to help identify brain areas where function has been lost. Once we know where these lesions are, a specific program of gentle stimulations and brain-based exercises targeting the injured pathways can be prescribed.
During the process, it is extremely important to work directly with a trained functional neurologist, such as Dr. Jay at Northoak Chiropractic, to ensure that you do not reach the point of fatigue. Often the remnant of the injured pathway was stressed by the initial injury as well and remains in a weakened state.
If you are looking for functional neurology treatment for a concussion or brain injury, contact the team at Northoak Chiropractic to book a consultation today.