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What is Chiropractic Neurology?
Chiropractic neurology is a specialty within the chiropractic field that
assesses the neurological condition of a patient and treats that patient
using non-invasive, non-pharmaceutical therapies. It might be best
described as brain-based physical rehabilitation.
Examination and assessment is similar to that of medical neurologists,
however treatment modalities differ greatly. Chiropractic neurologists use
specific ipsilateral afferent stimulations and chiropractic adjustments for brain-based
physiologic rehabilitation of neurologic conditions. Patients with both
pathological and physiological lesions can benefit from this approach.
How is it different from medical neurology?
The difference is in the treatment/therapy "tools." Medical
doctors utilize pharmaceutical and surgical intervention and management.
Chiropractic neurologists focus on brain-based physical rehabilitation using afferent
stimulation specifically targeting dysfunctioning areas of the brain and
nervous system. Because therapies are specifically tailored to each
individual's neurologic function, it is impossible to standardize this
care. Every patient is seen by the doctor himself.
What patients would I refer?
MEDICAL DOCTORS: Those you suspect or have determined to have a
neurological condition. Particularly, those patients with
neurophysiological lesions (i.e.: negative tests/imaging for pathology)
such as vertigo/dizziness, dystonia, ADD/ADHD, developmental delays, etc. Patients who have maximized the benefit of
treatment options you have provided. Patients who have rejected invasive
procedures or drug therapy. Pregnant patients who want to avoid
pharmaceutical intervention.
CHIROPRACTIC DOCTORS: Those you suspect or have determined to have a
neurological condition. Patients who have reached a plateau and are not
continuing to progress under their current treatment plan or whose body
has not responded to care the way you would have initially expected.
Patients who have consulted a medical neurologist but have not resolved
their condition and are looking for another option.
Dystonia
Headaches
Back and neck pain
Vertigo/dizziness
Balance problems
Tingling in an arm or leg
Coordination difficulty
Peripheral nerve injuries
Tremors
Post-stroke rehabilitation
Movement disorders
Brain Injury
Blepharospasm
Joint Pain
ADD / ADHD
Learning Disorders
Developmental Delays
Dyslexia
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What testing is performed?
Most cases seen have been through most diagnostic tests already. We do not
have x-ray facilities on site, so any x-rays, MRIs, CTs or other imaging is
outsourced on an as-needed basis. The examination performed by
the doctor includes but is not limited to:
Orthopedic
Tests
Oculomotor
Function Tests
Bilateral
Blood Pressure
Motor
Coordination/Strength Tests
Balance
Tests
Motor Timing Tests
Sensory
Testing
What is afferent stimulation?
Afferent stimulation is a broad term for a variety of therapies that may
be a part of a treatment protocol. They are elements in the natural
environment that stimulate parts of the brain and nervous system. They can
include but are not limited to:
Warm air coloric stimulation
Auditory stimulation
Metronome timing exercises
Hemistim (computer based visual stimulation)
Balance exercises
Vestibular spinning therapy
Extremity ADLs
Chiropractic adjustment
Eye exercises
Olfactory stimulation
Interactive Metronome®
For
further examples of how these therapies are applied, read "It
Really Is All Connected."
Is nutrition part of the treatment?
Frequently, patients are in urgent need of nutritional changes and
recommendations are made when appropriate.
What about changes in medication?
Changes in medication can only be made by the prescribing physician. Those
decisions are between the patient and that doctor. Dr. Theirl works with
patients and their medical doctors to help insure that everyone involved
in the case is on the same page.
What is a chiropractic neurologist's training?
Detailed coursework information is available through the Carrick Institute
for Graduate Sciences. Diplomate of the
American Chiropractic Neurology Board certification is granted after
completion of at least three hundred hours of coursework and passing of
the written and practical examination (see www.acnb.org). Active status is maintained in part
by continuing education requirements.
How can I attain this training?
Registration information and course schedule can be found at
the Carrick Institute's website: www.carrickinstitute.com. Doctors from a
variety of fields and from countries across the world have attended this
program. Watch for information on upcoming grand rounds and the brain
dissection.
If
you have other questions that have not been addressed here, Dr. Theirl
will be happy to answer them by phone or email.
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