Functional Neurology and Chiropractic
Functional neurology is the study of the living brain, how it develops, works and ages. Nerves need fuel (oxygen and nutrients) to work, so diet should be considered. Nerves also need stimulation - use them or lose them. Nerves that are not stimulated will become weak rather like neglected muscles.
Nerves used to be considered either working fine or dead. E.g. the brain was thought to be fine unless a brain tumour, severe head injury or neurological disease like Parkinson’s has affected it. Unfortunately it is not that simple; nerves unaffected by injury or disease can range from very healthy to significantly under-active.
Functional neurology assesses how well groups of nerves are working. If they are under-active they may quickly fatigue and be unable to continue to perform their “job” effectively. Under-active nerves are also more prone to toxins, lack of nutrients and compression or physical injury.
Like weak muscles, under-active nerves can become fitter with exercise. If these nerves are stimulated they will start to manufacture more protein. Once produced the proteins allow the nerves to use more energy, strengthen their membranes and send signals without tiring. If the nerves are stimulated without having the proper fuel little will happen – it’s like going to the gym on an empty stomach.
Stimulating the nerves with chiropractic adjustments
Chiropractic adjustments are a powerful method of stimulating nerves. Studies pioneered by Professor Carrick of the Carrick Institute for Neurological Studies and reproduced by others demonstrated that chiropractic adjustments can change the global activity of the nerves on one side of the brain (hemisphere).
Chiropractic adjustments can make the nerve activity of the two hemispheres more synchronous. An imbalance of nerve activity is called hemisphericity and has been associated with a whole variety of neurological dysfunction creating many different symptoms:
• Altered muscle control – often the underlying cause of musculoskeletal pain; low back and neck pain, repetitive strain injuries, frequent twisted ankles etc.
• Altered pain awareness causing pins and needles or numbness, hypersensitivity, allodynia and chronic pain,
• Altered perception of where up is! Leading to poor balance, dizziness, vertigo and poor posture.
• Changes in mood & behaviour may cause depression or panic attacks amongst others
• Changes in cognition; often seen first with poor concentration and memory
• Changes in autonomic control – the regulation of our organs that function without us having to think about them. Much can be affected here from altered sweating to changes in heart and breathing rates.
It is important to understand that altered brain activity, hemisphericity can cause all the above but it is not the only cause. We always try to identify the cause of the symptoms before starting any treatment.
At Newland Chiropractic Clinic we may combine the adjustment with another type of exercise or activity. This can help to more specifically direct the stimulation to a certain region of the brain.
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