Functional Neurology --- What Is It?

Due to the treatment methods applied by Functionalsystem that is already overexcited, or stimulating an
Neurologists, the types of conditions that onearea that should be inhibited. Results are maximized
typically sees are conditions such as learningdue to the fact that the program of stimulations is
disabilities, autism spectrum disorders, post stroketailored to the individual patient's problem and
rehabilitation, balance disorders, movement disorders,capacity, and not a one-size-fits-all program where
dystonias, peripheral neuropathy, and headaches.results may be limited or the program may actually
Traditionally neurology tends to look at disease ofbe inappropriate. In other words: Different people,
the nervous system as black-and-white with whitedifferent brains, and therefore, different treatments.
being optimal neurologic function and black beingIt is important to note that the functional neurological
neurological disease such as tumors, strokes, etc.examination although very detailed is noninvasive and
Functional Neurology looks at dysfunction of thetherefore can be performed on many different types
nervous system as different shades of gray lookingof patients without patient anxiety being a factor.
for subtle changes in the nervous system beforeThis is very significant especially for those
they become distinct pathologies.practitioners treating children on the autism spectrum,
You will often hear it said by functional neurologistsbecause there is a tendency for these children to
that neurons need fuel and activation in order tohave higher anxiety. The skilled Functional Neurology
thrive and survive. Fuel can be defined as oxygen,Practitioner realizes that everything from the patient's
glucose and essential nutrients. Activation refers toposture, to tics, to faulty eye movements, and
stimulation of the nervous system which causesalignment are all expressions of what is going on in
changes in the structure and metabolism of thethe patient's nervous system. Subtle though these
nerve cell. More recently, Functional Neurologyexpressions may be, to the highly skilled Functional
Practitioners are also involved with eliminating possibleNeurologist, these “little things mean a lot!”
negative effects on neurons such as toxins,Activation of the nervous system via specific
infectious agents and immune responses.exercises or stimulations to targeted areas of the
Four factors that are of high importance to thebrain, pathways or circuits can create powerful
functional neurologist are:results in the patient, but should be carefully
1. Determining where the failure in the nervousmonitored, so that the metabolic capacity of the
system lies.patient’s nervous system is not exceeded, and
2. What would be the right stimulation to activatedamage does not occur instead of the intended
that area?rehabilitation.
3. What the health and condition of the failing area is,Functional neurology is a field of study that achieves
so as to determine how much stimulation would besuccessful results by applying current neuroscience in
too much.an office setting. This means that the Functional
4. Adapting this vital information in order to applyNeurology Practitioner is taking current neuroscience
that precise amount of stimulation to the patient infrom the research laboratory and devising ways of
our office.applying that research in the office to treat patients.
It is important to note that the stimulations used,The training begins with neuron theory and
must be specific to the particular patient who is beingprogresses to a level that allows the practitioner to
treated. There is bio-individuality to the nervousevaluate and treat dysfunction of the nervous
system, just as individual as a fingerprint, and suchsystem without the use of, or in conjunction with
that even those with similar symptoms may requiremedications.
different stimulations at different frequencies andThe concept of functional neurology is relatively new
intensities in order to achieve the best success. Thisand therefore begs the question, “What exactly
cannot be done in a generalized or cookbook typeis functional neurology?” This is an inquiry that I
program. For example, you cannot treat everyget asked when doing presentations, and by email on
patient with a balance disorder or ADHD with thea regular basis. Hopefully the above helps to clarify
same treatment protocols. Generalized treatmentssome of the questions and misconceptions out there
run the risk of exciting an area of the nervousregarding Functional Neurology.