What is Functional Neurology?

What is chiropractic neurology?

In the human nervous system, every part performs a specific function or set of functions.  Just like in a car . . . the engine provides propulsion, the transmission changes gears, and the brakes make the car stop.  If a car is having a particular “symptom,” a mechanic uses his/her extensive knowledge of a car’s inner workings to check the likely part that might be malfunctioning to cause that symptom.

Similar to a mechanic, a chiropractic neurologist has a thorough understanding of what parts inside the brain perform which functions.  That way, when something is dysfunctioning, a likely culprit can be surmised.  For example, behavioral problems are likely (but not always) caused by a problem in the part that controls behavior – the frontal lobes.  An equilibrium problem is likely (but not always) caused by the parts that govern equilibrium – the vestibular system and cerebellum.

To determine which treatment has the best chance of correcting the cause of the problem, an in-depth history and examination are performed.  This process will examine the likely culprit, and also rule out anything more sinister or determine if more testing is needed, like an x-ray or an MRI.

A treatment plan consists of various chiropractic adjustments, therapies, and activities, all of which are personally designed to strengthen an individual’s weak neurological part.  In this manner, the cause of one’s symptoms is corrected – and in most cases the nervous system can be strengthened enough to provide a permanent fix.  Specific therapies may include light, sound, or vibratory stimulations; specific eye movements are often used therapeutically; we utilize a new technology called Interactive metronome (visit www.interactivemetronome.com for more information) that improves timing, coordination, and planning; core strengthening activities are often found to be helpful; customized nutrition and exercise programs are strongly encouraged; and of course, gentle chiropractic care.

Again, our experience indicates that personalized programs get the best result.  Therefore, your individual program will be tailored to give the highest probability of improvement.

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What kind of training does a chiropractic neurologist have?

In addition to the standard, rigorous 4-year chiropractic training, a chiropractic neurologist has also completed a minimum of 300 additional post-graduate hours in neurology from an internationally accredited institution.  Once 300 hours have been garnered, a comprehensive board exam, administered by the American Chiropractic Neurology Board, must be passed.

Dr. Jackson is a board-eligible diplomate in chiropractic neurology, which means that all course requirements have been met, but he has not yet sat the board exam (coming April 2009!).  Dr. Jackson was trained by the prestigious Carrick Institute for Graduate Studies (www.carrickinstitute.com)

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What else should I know about Connections Chiropractic Center’s neurology program?

Our program is framed like a lifetime wellness program.  It encompasses multiple aspects of healthy living, including eating well (our customized nutrition program), moving well (chiropractic structural improvement and customized exercise programs), and thinking well (balancing the nervous system through our customized neurology program).

Our program recognizes the necessity of different phases of care.  For simplicity we break our program up into three phases:

• The initial phase is acute care and treatments are frequent.  This phase may take weeks or months, depending on the nature of the initial presentation.  The goal of this phase is to reduce the immediate symptoms enough to allow the body to have an opportunity to heal.
• The second phase is maintenance care.  This phase can also last for several months, and treatments are less frequent than in the acute phase.  Though the initial presentation is monitored, the primary goal of this phase is to maintain the body’s natural healing state until a place of optimal wellness is achieved.  
• The third and final phase of care is wellness. In this phase, treatments are infrequent and designed to prevent both recurrence of the initial problem as well as future illness and disease.  This phase of care lasts for a lifetime – we assume that everyone wants optimal health for a lifetime, knowing that happiness, fulfillment, joy, and contentment are all predicated on good health.