Your Guide to Chiropractic Neurology in Ann Arbor

Stop chasing symptoms and start healing the source. Our chiropractic neurology approach uses advanced neuroplasticity to "rewire" how your brain communicates with your body, offering a drug-free path to recovery from migraines, vertigo, and chronic pain.

It can be incredibly frustrating to live with symptoms that doctors struggle to explain, leaving you searching for answers that never seem to come. Chiropractic neurology validates these experiences by looking directly at the relationship between your neurological function and your physical health. This specialized area of care recognizes that issues like chronic pain, balance disorders, and even cognitive difficulties can often be traced back to a communication problem between the brain and the body. People are increasingly seeking out this type of care because it provides clarity. From our clinic in Ann Arbor to specialists in chiropractic neurology in New York City, the goal is the same: to find the underlying cause and create a personalized path toward wellness.

Chiropractic neurology has made significant strides in recent years, offering patients innovative approaches to spinal care and neurological health. This field combines traditional chiropractic techniques with cutting-edge neuroscience to provide more targeted and effective care for a wide range of conditions.

Key takeaways:

• Chiropractic neurology integrates brain-based therapies with spinal adjustments
• Advanced diagnostic tools like functional MRI and QEEG are now used in chiropractic neurology
• Vestibular rehabilitation techniques have improved care for balance disorders
• Neuroplasticity principles are being applied to enhance chiropractic care outcomes
• Chiropractic neurologists are increasingly collaborating with other medical specialists

What is Chiropractic Neurology (And Functional Neurology)?

Think of chiropractic neurology as a specialty that zooms in on the powerful connection between your spine, your nervous system, and your brain. It’s built on the foundational idea that your nervous system is the body's command center, controlling everything from your heartbeat to your balance. When there's a breakdown in communication along these pathways—often due to a subtle misalignment in the spine—it can show up as a wide range of health issues. This is why problems that seem unrelated, like chronic headaches or dizziness, can often be traced back to an issue impacting nerve function. This approach aims to restore proper signaling between your brain and body, which can help with many different conditions by addressing the root of the problem.

You might also hear the term "functional neurology," which works hand-in-hand with this concept. Functional neurology focuses on improving your nervous system's performance using specific, non-invasive therapies. The goal is to harness your brain's natural ability to adapt, heal, and create new pathways—a process known as neuroplasticity. Instead of just managing symptoms, a practitioner uses targeted adjustments and exercises to retrain the brain and nervous system. This helps your brain better control movement, process sensory information, and maintain balance. At Lazar Spinal Care, we use a variety of specialized techniques to support this process, creating personalized care plans that encourage lasting changes and improved well-being.

How Chiropractic Neurology Came to Be

Chiropractic neurology has come a long way since its inception. This specialty within chiropractic care focuses on the relationship between the spine and the nervous system, using advanced techniques to diagnose and treat neurological conditions.

In recent years, the field has seen remarkable growth and innovation. Chiropractors specializing in neurology now have access to a wider range of tools and techniques that allow for more precise diagnosis and care of complex neurological issues.

One of the most notable changes has been the integration of brain-based therapies into chiropractic care. This approach recognizes that many spinal problems have neurological components and vice versa. By addressing both the spine and the brain, chiropractic neurologists can provide more comprehensive care to their patients.

A Deeper Look: Diagnostic Tools in Chiropractic Neurology

The use of advanced diagnostic tools has revolutionized chiropractic neurology. These tools allow for a more detailed understanding of a patient's condition, leading to more targeted and effective care.

What an fMRI Reveals About Your Brain

Functional MRI (fMRI) is now being used by some chiropractic neurologists to observe brain activity in real-time. This technology allows practitioners to see how different parts of the brain respond to various stimuli or care. By using fMRI, chiropractors can better understand the neurological basis of a patient's symptoms and tailor their procedure accordingly.

Mapping Your Brainwaves with QEEG

QEEG is another powerful diagnostic tool that's gaining traction in chiropractic neurology. This technique measures electrical activity in the brain, providing detailed information about brain function. Chiropractic neurologists can use QEEG data to identify areas of the brain that may be underperforming or overactive, helping to guide their care plans.

Our Approach: PostureIQ™ and Insight™ Scans

While advanced tools like fMRI and QEEG highlight the incredible detail available in modern chiropractic neurology, we use our own specialized technology to get a precise picture of your health. At Lazar Spinal Care, we rely on PostureIQ™ and Insight™ neurological scans to understand the root cause of your health challenges. Our PostureIQ™ assessment creates a detailed digital map of your posture, pinpointing imbalances and stress points, while our Insight™ scans measure your nervous system's function. Together, these non-invasive scans show us how effectively your brain is communicating with your body. For new patients, this process is fundamental, providing the objective data we need to determine if your problem is fixable and how we can best help you achieve lasting wellness without medication.

Finding Your Balance with Vestibular Rehab

Vestibular rehabilitation has become an important part of chiropractic neurology, especially in treating balance disorders and dizziness. This approach focuses on exercises and maneuvers that help retrain the brain to process balance information more effectively.

Chiropractic neurologists now use sophisticated balance assessment tools to measure a patient's vestibular function. These assessments can detect subtle imbalances that might not be apparent during a standard physical exam.

Based on these assessments, chiropractors can develop personalized vestibular rehabilitation programs. These programs often include gaze stabilization exercises, balance training, and habituation exercises to help patients overcome their symptoms.

Can You Rewire Your Brain? The Role of Neuroplasticity

The concept of neuroplasticity – the brain's ability to reorganize itself by forming new neural connections – has had a significant impact on chiropractic neurology. Chiropractors are now incorporating neuroplasticity principles into their care to enhance outcomes.

By understanding how the brain can change and adapt, chiropractic neurologists can design procedure that promote positive neurological changes. This might involve specific exercises or activities that stimulate certain areas of the brain, combined with traditional chiropractic adjustments.

For example, a chiropractor might use eye movement exercises in conjunction with spinal adjustments to treat patients with chronic pain. This combined approach can help rewire the brain's pain processing pathways, potentially leading to long-term pain relief.

Using Sensory Stimuli to Build New Brain Pathways

So, how do we actually encourage the brain to build these new connections? One powerful way is through sensory stimuli. Think of it like this: specific inputs, such as visual cues, sounds, or touch, can be used to activate and engage different parts of your brain. For instance, a practitioner might use specific eye movement exercises combined with a spinal adjustment. This dual approach helps your brain create new pathways for processing information, which can be incredibly effective for a wide range of conditions, from balance issues to chronic pain. This isn't just a random set of exercises; it's a highly personalized strategy designed to retrain your brain and nervous system, addressing the root of the problem for lasting results.

A Team Approach: Working with Other Doctors

Another important advancement in chiropractic neurology is the increasing collaboration with other medical specialties. Chiropractic neurologists are now working more closely with neurologists, orthopedists, and other healthcare providers to provide comprehensive care for patients with complex conditions.

This collaborative approach allows for a more holistic care plan that addresses all aspects of a patient's health. For instance, a patient with a spinal cord injury might receive care from a team that includes a chiropractic neurologist, a medical neurologist, and a physical therapist.

Beyond the Basics: New Spinal Adjustment Methods

Spinal manipulation remains a cornerstone of chiropractic care, but the techniques have become more refined and targeted. Chiropractic neurologists now use a variety of specialized manipulation techniques that are designed to have specific effects on the nervous system.

Gentle and Precise: Instrument-Assisted Adjustments

Many chiropractors now use specialized instruments to perform adjustments. These instruments allow for very precise, low-force adjustments that can be particularly beneficial for patients with sensitive nervous systems or those who prefer gentler care.

Acupuncture for Your Nervous System

Some chiropractic neurologists have incorporated neurofunctional acupuncture into their practice. This technique combines traditional acupuncture with modern neuroscience principles to stimulate specific neural pathways and promote healing.

Gait and Posture Analysis

The way you walk and stand offers a window into your neurological health. Gait and posture analysis are diagnostic tools that allow practitioners to observe how you move, spotting subtle patterns that might point to underlying issues like muscular imbalances, joint dysfunction, or neurological conditions. By carefully assessing your posture and walking patterns, a chiropractic neurologist can identify the root cause of pain or instability that might otherwise go unnoticed. This detailed analysis is crucial for developing a precise and effective care plan. At Lazar Spinal Care, we use advanced diagnostic assessments like PostureIQ™ to get an objective look at your spinal alignment, ensuring your care is tailored specifically to your body’s needs.

Soft-Tissue Therapies: Nimmo and FAKTR

Effective chiropractic care often extends beyond the spine to address the muscles, ligaments, and fascia that support it. Soft-tissue therapies are a key part of this comprehensive approach. Techniques like the Nimmo method focus on applying specific pressure to trigger points—tight knots in the muscle tissue—to release tension and alleviate pain. Another innovative approach is FAKTR (Functional and Kinetic Treatment with Rehabilitation), which combines soft-tissue work with specific movements. This helps retrain your body to move correctly and without pain. These therapies complement spinal adjustments by ensuring your entire musculoskeletal system is working together, which supports lasting healing and improved function for many of the conditions we help.

Eating for a Healthier Nervous System

Nutrition has become an increasingly important aspect of chiropractic neurology. Many chiropractors now include nutritional counseling as part of their careplans, recognizing the profound impact that diet can have on neurological health.

Chiropractic neurologists may recommend specific dietary changes or supplements to support brain health and nervous system function. For example, they might suggest increasing intake of omega-3 fatty acids, which are known to support brain health and reduce inflammation.

What Conditions Can Chiropractic Neurology Help With?

Chronic Pain and Fibromyalgia

Living with chronic pain or fibromyalgia can feel like a constant battle. When your body is in a persistent state of alert, it's not just physically draining—it's mentally exhausting. Chiropractic neurology offers a unique perspective by looking at the neurological roots of these conditions. Instead of just managing symptoms, this approach integrates brain-based therapies with precise spinal adjustments. It recognizes that pain is a complex signal interpreted by the brain, and by addressing how the nervous system functions, we can create more effective strategies for relief. This method aims to get to the bottom of why your body is sending these signals in the first place, offering a path toward lasting wellness for conditions like fibromyalgia and sciatica.

Post-Concussion Syndrome and Brain Injuries

Recovering from a concussion or another type of brain injury can be a frustratingly slow process, often leaving behind persistent symptoms like dizziness, headaches, and brain fog. Chiropractic neurology provides targeted support for this recovery journey. Specialists in this field use sophisticated tools to assess vestibular function—the system responsible for your balance and spatial orientation. These assessments can uncover subtle imbalances that a standard physical exam might miss, which is critical for creating an effective recovery plan. By identifying the specific areas of neurological dysfunction, a chiropractor can develop a personalized program to help retrain the brain and restore proper function after auto accidents or sports injuries.

Neurodegenerative Disorders

Neurodegenerative disorders present a unique set of challenges, as they involve the progressive loss of function in the nervous system. Chiropractic neurology approaches these conditions by examining the intricate relationship between the brain, spine, and body. The goal is to identify areas that are not communicating or functioning correctly and then develop a specialized plan to support the nervous system's natural ability to heal and adapt. By focusing on the body as an integrated system, this type of care aims to improve overall function and quality of life for individuals managing these complex health issues.

Parkinson's Disease and Multiple Sclerosis

For conditions like Parkinson's disease and multiple sclerosis, chiropractic neurologists are applying the principles of neuroplasticity to enhance patient care. The focus is on encouraging the brain to form new neural pathways and strengthen existing ones. This doesn't mean reversing the condition, but rather improving the body's ability to function despite it. Techniques like Quantum Spinal Mechanics (QSM3), which focuses on restoring the body's alignment and balance without forceful adjustments, can play a supportive role. By reducing mechanical stress on the body, this gentle approach helps create an optimal environment for the nervous system to function, potentially improving mobility and reducing discomfort.

Neuropathy

Neuropathy, with its characteristic tingling, numbness, and pain, can significantly impact your daily life. It's a sign that the communication lines between your brain and parts of your body are damaged. Chiropractic neurology addresses this by incorporating the principles of neuroplasticity to help the brain reorganize itself and form new, healthier neural connections. The care focuses on stimulating the nervous system through specific adjustments and therapies designed to improve nerve function. At Lazar Spinal Care, we use advanced methods like Laser Therapy and Tissue Regenerative Technology to support nerve healing and reduce symptoms, helping patients find relief and regain sensation.

What's Next for Chiropractic Neurology?

As research in neuroscience continues to advance, the field of chiropractic neurology is likely to see even more innovations. Some areas of potential growth include:

• The use of virtual reality in rehabilitation
• More sophisticated brain imaging techniques
• Personalized care plans based on genetic testing
• Integration of artificial intelligence in diagnosis and care planning

What It Takes to Become a Neurological Chiropractor

The advancements in chiropractic neurology have also led to changes in education and training for chiropractors. Many chiropractic schools now offer specialized courses in neurology, and there are post-graduate programs specifically focused on chiropractic neurology.

To become a certified chiropractic neurologist, practitioners must complete extensive additional training and pass rigorous exams. This ensures that patients receiving care from a chiropractic neurologist are getting care from a highly qualified professional.

Real Stories from Our Patients

Many patients have reported positive experiences with chiropractic neurology care. Some have found relief from chronic conditions that hadn't responded to other forms of care.

For example, patients with long-standing balance problems have reported significant improvements after undergoing vestibular rehabilitation with a chiropractic neurologist. Others have experienced reductions in chronic pain through brain-based therapies combined with spinal adjustments.

The Importance of Board Certification

When you're looking for a specialist to help with your neurological health, it’s helpful to understand what sets practitioners apart. Board certification in chiropractic neurology is a significant distinction. It means a chiropractor has completed hundreds of hours of post-doctoral training—at least 300, to be exact—in neurology and has passed a rigorous examination process. This isn't a standard requirement; it's a voluntary commitment to achieving a higher level of expertise in the complex relationship between the spine and the nervous system.

For you as a patient, choosing a board-certified chiropractic neurologist provides an extra layer of confidence. This certification, managed by respected bodies like the American Chiropractic Neurology Board (ACNB), shows that your doctor is dedicated to maintaining the highest standards of care. It ensures they have the advanced knowledge needed to address intricate conditions, giving you peace of mind that you are receiving care from a highly qualified professional focused on your long-term wellness.

Why Your Treatment Plan Is Unique to You

One of the key principles of chiropractic neurology is the importance of individualized care. Every patient's nervous system is unique, and what works for one person may not work for another.

Chiropractic neurologists take a detailed history and perform thorough assessments to understand each patient's specific neurological profile. This allows them to create tailored care plans that address the root causes of a patient's symptoms, rather than just treating the symptoms themselves.

What to Expect During Your Neurological Assessment

The Comprehensive Neurological Check-Up

To get to the root of your health concerns, a chiropractic neurologist begins with a comprehensive check-up. This process goes far beyond your immediate symptoms, involving a thorough review of your health history and a series of detailed assessments to create a unique map of your nervous system. In the broader field, practitioners sometimes use advanced tools like functional MRIs to observe the brain in real-time or QEEGs to measure brainwave activity. At Lazar Spinal Care, we utilize our own advanced, non-invasive diagnostic tools, like our Insight™ neurological scans, to get a precise picture of your spinal and neurological function. This detailed analysis ensures your care plan is built specifically for you, targeting the underlying cause of your condition right from the start.

How Brain-Based Care Complements Spinal Health

While chiropractic neurology represents a specialized field within chiropractic care, many of its principles and techniques can be integrated into traditional chiropractic practice. This integration can enhance the effectiveness of chiropractic care for a wide range of patients.

For example, chiropractors might incorporate simple balance exercises or eye movement drills into their care plans for patients with neck pain or headaches. By addressing both the spinal and neurological aspects of these conditions, chiropractors can potentially achieve better outcomes.

The Science Behind Our Methods

Research in chiropractic neurology is ongoing, with studies exploring the effectiveness of various techniques and approaches. Some recent areas of research include:

• The effects of spinal manipulation on brain function
• The use of neurofeedback in treating attention disorders
• The role of chiropractic care in concussion recovery
• The impact of chiropractic care on neuroplasticity

As more research is conducted, the field of chiropractic neurology continues to evolve and refine its approaches.

Common Questions and Misconceptions

Despite its advancements, chiropractic neurology faces some challenges. One of the main challenges is gaining wider acceptance within the broader medical community. While collaboration with other medical specialties is increasing, there is still some skepticism about the effectiveness of chiropractic neurological care.

Another challenge is the need for more large-scale, high-quality research studies to provide stronger evidence for the efficacy of chiropractic neurological care. While many patients report positive outcomes, more robust scientific evidence would help solidify the field's position in mainstream healthcare.

How Technology Improves Your Care

Technology plays an increasingly important role in chiropractic neurology. In addition to advanced diagnostic tools, chiropractors are using technology in other ways to enhance patient care.

For example, some chiropractors use specialized software to analyze posture and movement patterns. Others use apps to help patients track their symptoms and progress between appointments. These technological tools can provide valuable data to help guide care decisions and monitor patient progress.

A Brain-Based Approach to Pain Management

Pain management is a significant focus of chiropractic neurology. By understanding the neurological aspects of pain, chiropractic neurologists can offer more effective care for chronic pain conditions.

One approach used in chiropractic neurology is pain neuroscience education. This involves teaching patients about how the brain processes pain and how factors like stress and emotions can influence pain perception. By helping patients understand their pain from a neurological perspective, chiropractors can empower them to take an active role in their pain management.

Core Goals: Restoring Nerve Pathways and Function

At its heart, chiropractic neurology is all about improving the communication between your brain, spine, and the rest of your body. When these critical nerve pathways aren't working correctly, it can lead to a whole host of issues, from pain and inflammation to problems with movement and sensation. The primary goal is to pinpoint these dysfunctional areas and create a personalized plan to get them back on track. This isn't just a temporary fix; it's about encouraging your nervous system to heal and build stronger, healthier connections by tapping into your brain's natural ability to adapt and reorganize itself—a concept known as neuroplasticity. By using specialized techniques, we can help guide this process, essentially retraining your brain and body to work together more efficiently for lasting wellness.

A Holistic View with Functional Medicine

Instead of just chasing symptoms, chiropractic neurology takes a step back to look at the bigger picture. It operates on the principle that your body is an interconnected system, and to truly solve a problem, you have to find its source. This means starting with a deep dive into your health history and performing detailed assessments to understand your unique neurological makeup. The focus is always on uncovering the "why" behind your symptoms, a core idea shared with functional medicine. By identifying the root cause, we can develop a highly personalized care plan designed to restore your brain and nervous system's health. This holistic approach aims to improve your overall function and well-being for the long term, helping you find lasting relief without relying on medication or invasive procedures.

Fine-Tuning Your Brain for Better Sports Performance

Chiropractic neurology has also made inroads in the field of sports performance. Many athletes are now working with chiropractic neurologists to improve their balance, coordination, and reaction times.

By addressing subtle neurological imbalances, chiropractic neurologists can help athletes optimize their performance and reduce their risk of injury. This might involve specific exercises to improve visual-motor coordination or procedure to enhance proprioception (the body's sense of position in space).

Brain Training and Rehabilitation

Effective chiropractic care often extends beyond the spine, especially when dealing with neurological issues. Brain training and rehabilitation are key components that help restore proper communication between your brain and body. Think of it as physical therapy for your nervous system. These techniques are designed to help your brain heal and adapt after an injury or to manage chronic conditions more effectively. By combining targeted brain exercises with chiropractic adjustments, we can address the root cause of your symptoms from multiple angles, leading to more comprehensive and lasting results.

This approach is particularly helpful for individuals recovering from concussions, dealing with balance disorders, or experiencing cognitive fog. The goal is to leverage the brain's incredible ability to change and reorganize itself—a concept known as neuroplasticity. By providing the right stimuli and exercises, we can encourage the brain to form new, healthier neural pathways. This process supports the work we do with your spine, ensuring that your entire nervous system is functioning at its best. Many of the conditions we help with, from migraines to vertigo, have a neurological component that can be improved with this type of rehabilitation.

Retraining the Brain with Neurofeedback

Neurofeedback is a fascinating therapy that essentially helps you retrain your brain by monitoring its activity in real time. During a session, sensors are placed on your scalp to read your brainwaves, and this information is displayed on a screen, often as a simple game or visual. By watching this feedback, you can learn to consciously regulate your brain function, encouraging healthier patterns. This technique has been shown to improve focus, reduce anxiety, and assist in recovery from brain injuries. It’s a non-invasive way to guide your brain back to a more balanced and efficient state of operation.

Cognitive and Physical Therapy for Recovery

Cognitive and physical therapies are essential for anyone recovering from a neurological condition or injury. These therapies focus on rebuilding skills and improving function in areas like memory, attention, movement, and balance. For example, after an auto or sports injury, you might work on exercises that challenge your coordination or cognitive drills that sharpen your focus. The purpose is to help you regain lost abilities and improve your overall quality of life by strengthening the connection between your mind and body, making daily activities easier and more manageable.

Supporting Your Child's Developing Brain

Chiropractic neurology is not just for adults – it's also being used to treat children with various neurological and developmental conditions. Some of the conditions that chiropractic neurologists might treat in pediatric patients include:

• Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)
• Autism spectrum disorders
• Sensory processing disorders
• Learning disabilities
• Developmental coordination disorder

The approach for pediatric patients often involves gentle, play-based therapies that are tailored to the child's age and developmental level.

Proactive Care for Long-Term Brain Health

Chiropractic neurology is not just about treating existing conditions – it also plays a role in preventive care. By addressing subtle neurological imbalances before they develop into more serious problems, chiropractic neurologists can help patients maintain optimal health and function.

This preventive approach might involve regular check-ups to assess neurological function, along with lifestyle recommendations to support brain and nervous system health. By taking a proactive approach to neurological health, patients can potentially avoid more serious health issues down the line.

Find Chiropractic Neurology in New York City

Chiropractic neurology represents an exciting frontier in spinal care and neurological health. By combining traditional chiropractic techniques with advanced neuroscience, this field offers new hope for patients with a wide range of conditions.

As research continues and technology advances, we can expect to see even more innovations in chiropractic neurology in the coming years. For patients in Ann Arbor, Michigan, and beyond, these advancements offer the potential for more effective, personalized care that addresses the complex interplay between the spine, the brain, and overall health.

Frequently Asked Questions

How is chiropractic neurology different from standard chiropractic care? Think of it this way: while all chiropractic care focuses on the relationship between your spine and your health, chiropractic neurology takes a deeper look at how that relationship specifically impacts your brain and nervous system. It uses targeted assessments to understand how your brain is communicating with your body and incorporates therapies beyond spinal adjustments, like balance or eye movement exercises, to help retrain those communication pathways.

What does a typical first visit look like? Your first visit is all about getting a clear and complete picture of your health. We start with a detailed conversation about your health history and what you're experiencing. Then, we use non-invasive diagnostic tools, like our Insight™ neurological scans and PostureIQ™ assessment, to measure your nervous system's function and pinpoint any imbalances. This objective data helps us understand the root cause of your issues and determine the best way to help you.

Are the adjustments and therapies painful? Not at all. The focus of this type of care is precision and effectiveness, not force. Many of the techniques we use, such as instrument-assisted adjustments or Quantum Spinal Mechanics (QSM3), are incredibly gentle. Our goal is to work with your body to restore proper function and communication within your nervous system, which doesn't require any forceful or uncomfortable movements.

How is this different from seeing a medical neurologist? It's a great question because the two fields are complementary. A medical neurologist typically diagnoses and treats neurological diseases, often using medication or surgery. A chiropractic neurologist, on the other hand, uses non-invasive physical therapies and adjustments to improve the function of the nervous system. We focus on retraining the brain and improving the communication between the brain and the body to help manage symptoms and improve your overall quality of life.

Do I need a specific neurological diagnosis to benefit from this care? No, you don't. Many common health challenges that don't have a clear diagnosis—like chronic headaches, dizziness, brain fog, or persistent pain—can stem from a breakdown in communication between the brain and the body. Chiropractic neurology is designed to identify and address these functional issues. It's less about treating a specific label and more about restoring your nervous system's ability to work correctly.

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