Functional Neurology

      Functional Neurology can only be performed by physicians board certified in Functional Neurology, Chiropractic Neurology, or other post doctorate degrees (typically taking an additional 3 years of education) focused in Neurology. What is Functional Neurology? Functional Neurology, sometimes known as "brain balancing", is a cutting-edge, drug free approach to neurological disfunction or disease. This specialty was given light due to the recent discovery of "neuroplasticity". Well, what is "neuroplasticity"? Neuro refers to the brain, and plasticity is the medical term for the ability for a substance to change or move. This is a huge discovery in the world of neurology which enables us to now know that structures and pathways within the brain are not permanent, they can be changed for better or worse. 

​

     With this concept in mind, Functional Neurology was created. Functional Neurology is when your Functional Neurologist uses varying diagnostic tests to test the strength or function of varying portions of the brain and then applies exercises and therapies to restore them back to optimal health. 

 

     The brain is made up of millions of neurons. Neurons are made up of a few major parts and use electricity as a form of signaling/communication to one another (think of a phone charger as a analogy). Each neuron has dendrites that act as a power receptacle that plug into the wall and collects electrical signals. Once the dendrites have collected a charge, they will send the charge down the wire called the axon. Once the signal has reached the end of the axon, it will either be passed to the neuron terminal where its charge will be transferred to the next neuron's dendrite or end. These neurons pass messages to one another and form long, convoluted pathways. These pathways make up our brain and nervous system.

     

      A Neuron needs 3 things to survive: Oxygen, Energy (glucose or ketones), and Activation. The brain has been mapped into many portions, known as lobes, and these lobes mirror each other on each hemisphere, or half, of the brain. These lobes have been documented and scientists have, over time, created a map of what each lobe of the brain is in charge of doing. These lobes have been further segmented and documented into smaller, more specific areas with even more specialized functions, known as Broadman Areas.

 

     What can happen in a person’s brain is that certain pathways become more used than others due to habits, genetics, traumas or improper development. This in turn causes certain areas of the brain to get more activation and grow stronger. Over time, these stronger areas of the brain are over-utilized and become dominant, causing other areas of the brain to be under-utilized and receive less activation. 

​

     A neuron without proper activation is a fading neuron. This can lead to dysfunction, and eventually disease, because these certain weak portions of the brain are now no longer able to perform the task that they were designed to do. This can also have a domino effect where pathways of the brain that might have a pit-stop or destination at a now-weakened portion of the brain are not able to complete their circuitry properly, leading to increasing dysfunction.

​

     With Functional Neurology we are able to use advanced diagnostic testing to identify over-utilized and under-utilized portions of the brain. We can then prescribe the appropriate therapies to help strengthen the neurons of the brain by providing proper oxygen, energy, and activation to weak areas, along with rest to over-utilized areas.