Chiropractic/Functional neurology services are performed exclusively by Dr. Ryan Weaver at Integrative Chiropractic Center in Lansdale PA.
The intent of this page is to inform the public about functional neurology. My intent is to post ongoing concepts and examples of what a functional neurologist does, what equipment is used in diagnostics, what the findings in specific diagnostics mean, what treatments are performed, and include testimonials from patients who may be suffering with a similar condition as the viewer.
What is functional neurology? Functional neurology was created by Dr. Ted Carrick at the Carrick institute. He has been practicing, teaching and researching for over 30 years. Functional neurology is a drugless and nonsurgical means of applying activation to specific pathways or target neurons to change plasticity in the brain. Plasticity is a term that refer to the ability of the brain to change and be efficient. So where you are efficient, you are plastic! So plasticity can be a good thing or a BAD thing. For example if your brain is working well and is efficient then you are plastic and have a heathy, efficient brain. However, If you are having symptoms, you can have plasticity in pathways that have promoted an inefficient compensating brain. Though examination and diagnostics, it is a functional neurologist job to identify areas of the brain that are not performing optimally. Once these areas of the brain are identified, strategies are giving to change this poor inefficient plasticity and create new efficient plastic pathways. It is literally physical therapy for the brain!
Conditions that are most often treated in my office are Traumatic Brain Injury/Post concussion syndrome, Vertigo, Migraines, dysautonomia like POTS, Movement disorders including dystonia or hyperkinetic syndromes, Neurodegenerative diseases (most common is Parkinson's), and pain syndromes.
Is a Functional/Chiropractic Neurologist different than a medical neurologist? Yes, a medical neurologist is better suited for acute conditions like head injuries and stroke. Medical neurologist diagnose diseases and treat with medicine and surgery. A functional neurologist or chiropractic neurologist does not prescribe medicine or perform surgery, but treats with strategies/exercises that include vestibular(gaze stabilization and spinning), Ocular-motor exercises, proprioceptive exercises, Repetitive Peripheral Somatosensory Stimulation(RPSS) are a few examples. It is a pleasure to work in conjunction with medical doctors as a team approach for your health.
