CONSCIOUS LIVING
Summer 2002

Brain Hemisphericity

If you have been a patient at Functional Restoration you may have noticed that it is unlike other chiropractic offices. The difference is in the approach to the care of your body and nervous system. As a chiropractic neurologist, Dr. Theirl's passion has always been non-pharmaceutical resolution to neurologic problems. The foundation of his approach is known as a hemispheric model of care. Your brain is composed of 2 hemispheres or "halves". Each side is responsible for specific functions. For example, blood pressure, resting muscle tone, sweating, circulation and coordination on the right side of the body are functions of the right hemisphere of the brain. Dr. Theirl uses the examination findings of those functions as a "window" into how well the various areas of your brain and nervous system are working. It is easy to see how this is important for an accurate diagnosis, but it is just as important to determine appropriate treatment that will result in the greatest probability for success. Once a diagnosis has been established, Dr. Theirl develops a plan of care that is appropriate to the current condition of your body and your brain. Additional training in neurology affords Dr. Theirl many more "tools" to use in treating your condition. The care plan is specific to the condition of your brain and body. Two patients with the same complaints may be treated very differently due to the fact that what may be successful with one patient's brain/ body patterns may not be with the next. Individualized care is what generates the successes seen at Functional Restoration. 

Some of the additional "tools" Dr. Theirl uses are unilateral adjustments or adjustments that are only performed on one side of the body so as to stimulate the opposite, "deficient" side of the brain. He also uses visual stimulation, using patterns of flashing lights to excite areas of the brain known to alter muscle tone of the spine and extremities. Some of you may have had auditory stimulation, using specific rhythms and types of music. The type of auditory stimulation is determined by observation of the weak hemisphere as well as the postural spinal muscles and known neurologic/spinal pathways. Cognitive exercises may be recommended for home therapy which are specific to the patient*s hemisphericity. For example, performing mazes requires intense use of the right half of the brain for processing visual-spatial relationships. This type of therapy would be applied to some who showed signs of deficiency in the right hemisphere and needed additional stimulation to that area of the brain. These are all examples of brain based rehabilitation. Consequently, physical rehabilitation must now take on a more specific form that is synergistic with brain hemispheric function. A person could perform physical rehabilitative exercises for many months, but if their hemispheric function is poor, the physical rehab will not be successful. Unfortunately, Dr. Theirl often hears of patients past experience with physical therapy and physical medicine specialists that resulted unsuccessfully after long periods of therapy. Assessing the brain*s role in a patients* physical dysfunction can many times be the missing link. 

New and exciting research is beginning to emerge from the field of chiropractic neurology. The latest paper involves the treatment of dystonia (chronic muscle contractions) patients using this hemispheric model of care. 111 patients with cervical (neck) dystonia were evaluated for their hemisphericity (which side of the brain was less integrated). These patients were then adjusted for the next 3 weeks on the opposite side of their "weak" brain. The measure of improvement was at least a 50% decrease in pain and increase in range of motion, decrease in tremor and decrease in muscle spasticity. Follow up exams took place 2 months post treatment. The outcomes documented were nothing short of terrific and give hope to a population of people who often have exhausted other types of treatment. This is but one example of how chiropractic neurologists are able to affect both body and brain at the same time for a superior outcome.

This model of care works for all types of symptoms whether you have a neurologic problem such as dizziness or a biomechanical problem such as a stiff neck or back. If you are unsure whether you are a candidate for this type of care, give the office a call. Dr. Theirl will be happy to speak with you.

Ask the Doctor
Walking on pavement in the city is beginning to hurt my feet. Any recommendations?

Walking on hard surfaces in dress or casual shoes with limited or no shock absorption often causes repetitive motion injuries to the foot and ankle. The muscle and ligament structures of our feet cannot compensate for these stresses forever. Eventually, the muscles of the feet begin to feel tired and sore at the end of the day. Continued stress weakens the muscles and ligaments causing foot pronation often referred to as flat feet or fallen arches. Unfortunately, as the biomechanics of the foot change, the biomechanics of all the joints above the foot also worsen. It is easy to see how healthy knees, hips, pelvis and back rely on proper foot mechanics. If heel shock absorption is all that is needed, you will feel better with just a simple, shock absorbing soft heel insole from the drug store. However, degenerative changes are often present by the time feet begin hurting. If this is the case, I recommend custom orthotics. A mold is taken of your feet in my office and sent to Foot Levelers for production. Because they are specifically designed for your feet, they work to correct both foot biomechanics and pelvic/spinal biomechanics resulting in overall improved balance. All of their orthotics have shock absorbing materials, but I think the latest design had we, New Yorkers, particularly in mind. It has 75% more shock absorption in the heel where it is needed most. After your feet are cast in the office, the orthotics typically arrive back in about two weeks.

It is never too early to give your feet the support they deserve for carrying you around this concrete jungle. If you think you may benefit but are not sure, ask me to perform a gait analysis and foot exam at your next visit. I believe the saying goes, "an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure."

Submit your question to the doctor by emailing drtheirl@functionalrestoration.com

Treating Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD) without Drugs

The Journal of the American Chiropractic Association recently published an article on managing symptoms of Attention Deficit Disorder using a neurological non-pharmaceutical approach. You may remember our winter newsletter focusing on ADD/ADHD. The JACA article is entitled Children with ADHD; Medical vs. Chiropractic Perspective and Theory by Nataliya V. Schetchikova, PhD and features Ted Carrick, DC, DACNB and Robert Mellilo, DC, DACNB and their work with kids previously diagnosed with learning and attention difficulty. It is written for the health professional but still offers some valuable insight on the consequences of pharmaceutical use in young people and the possibility of a natural, effective management option. 

This article is not yet available online for non-subscribers. When it is, we will provide a link through our website. You could also contact the ACA (www.acatoday.com) and request a copy of the article.

IN THE NEXT ISSUE

Cutting out the problem eliminates it, right? Not always.  Amputees sometimes perceive pain in the limb that has been amputated. Explore phantom limb pain in the next issue.

This newsletter is for information purposes only and does not intend to replace medical treatment or advice. Please see your health care provider before making any changes in your routine.