Functional Neurology and Brain Based Therapy are amazingly powerful, all natural analysis and healing techniques used to restore people to their optimum state of health. In Functional Neurology we are looking at how the brain & nervous system are working or functioning.
This differs from medical neurology. The focus of medical neurology is, “the study and treatment of diseases of the nervous system which involves the brain, muscles, spine and nerves in the arms and legs.”
In functional neurology we are looking for altered function not necessarily disease. Disease develops as a result of poor or altered function over time. So by looking for poor function of the brain and nervous system, we can often identify problems well before a disease or diagnosis can is given.
Any Chiropractor is primarily interested in the spine and mis-alignments of the spine called subluxations, which means a bone is not moving properly and creating stress or irritation to the nervous system and potentially altering function. Our office is no different in looking for and identifying poor joint function/spinal subluxations. But since we know these subluxations can create stress or altered firing of the nervous system, we want to assess how these subluxations are affecting how the brain and nervous sytem are woring and the impact the altered nervous system is having on the body.
Once we’ve analyzed spinal function, we then move up to the higher centers of the nervous system, looking for cause and effect between the spine and the central nervous system, the brain and spinal cord. This is done by performing a functional neurologic exam.
If there are alterations in how the brain and nervous system are firing, we want to take one more step and look at the affect altered brain and nervous system function is having on body chemistry or how altered body chemistry may be altering nervous system function. To do this we evaluate body chemistry and nutrition.
How does the brain work?
Your brain controls and coordinates all function of the body (Grey’s Anatomy). When functioning normally, the cerebellum, which is the back bottom part of your cranium, sends messages or “fires” to the brain (right and left hemisphere) which in turn “fires” to the brain stem (mesencephalon, pons, and medulla). This is called the “Brain Loop”.
Your health, well-being, physical vitality, mental clarity, and emotional stability are all directly correlated with proper brain function….the “Brain Loop”.
When functioning correctly, the cerebellum receives adequate input, sending normal input to the brain’s frontal lobes, which sends sufficient input to the lower brainstem, keeping the mesencephalon from over-firing.
What goes wrong?
Stress…physical, chemical, and emotional stress will adversely effect this “brain loop”. Stress is not necessarily a bad thing. However, it is the constant, pervasive, never-ending stress of our culture that is so detrimental.
If one side of the cerebellum is not receiving enough nerve input, it cannot send sufficient nerve input to the frontal lobe, which can’t send enough input to the lower brainstem to keep the mesencephalon from over-firing.
What’s the deal with the mesencephalon?
The mesencephalon (a.k.a. upper brain stem, a.k.a. midbrain, a.k.a. cerebral peduncle) normally is inhibited by the brain. In other words, when the “brain loop” is intact, the mesencephalon is turned off (or on low).
However, once stress interrupts the “brain loop”, the mesencephalon is left unchecked. Basically, the brain gets stuck in a sympathetic (fight or flight) response.
A mesencephalon that is not firing properly causes symptoms such as fibromyalgia, ADD, sciatica, etc.
What about the cerebellum?
Another key part to the “brain loop” is the cerebellum. This is the back, bottom part of your brain that controls your balance and coordination, spinal postural muscles, and terminates eye movements. When one side of your cerebellum is not firing properly it can lead to a host of common ailments.
A mis-firing cerebellum will cause one side of the postural muscles to be in constant spasm. This one-sided muscle spasm will cause imbalances in the spinal bones. Additionally, individual vertebrae will lock up and be restricted in their normal movement. Consequently, chronic back and neck pain, spinal degeneration, arthritis, disc herniations, and sciatica may develop. Once pathologies are ruled out, chronic dizziness and balance disorders are usually the result of cerebellar dysfunction.
How do you fix the brain?
A thorough functional neurological examination will reveal which aspect of your brain is not firing properly. Brain Based Therapy is a combination of various therapies and exercises designed to stimulate the weaker firing areas of the brain to improve brain balance and function. These therapies are safe and gentle and can include: visual, auditory, and olfactory stimulation, heat, eye movements, eye exercises, and other modalities appropriate for each person. Traditional chiropractic instruments and/or adjustments may also used, but they are used in a very precise manner…to stimulate function in the effected part of the brain.
What health problems can you help with?
Please understand that Functional Neurology and Brain Based Therapy are not a specific treatments for any disease, illness or disorder. We do not try to cure anything.
Our expertise lies in naturally and holistically improving brain and nervous system firing and then getting out of the way so your body can heal.
However, once the “brain loop” is restored and any brain imbalances are minimized…amazing things can happen. The following is a list of health conditions people have shown significant improvement with:
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Who discovered BBT?
Functional Neurology is a clinical protocol developed by Dr. Frederick R. Carrick, the country’s leading chiropractic neurologist and chiropractic’s only neurological fellow. The Carrick Institute offers classes internationally and helps patients around the world with severe neurological disorders.
