Functional Neurology
Migraines, dizziness, post-concussion syndrome, brain fog, vertigo, anxiety/depression, chronic daily headache, ADHD. These are ALL neurological problems…but can you see any of them on an MRI? Can you find them on a blood test? The answer to both is NO.
Although these problems are altering the nervous system, they are NOT diseases, they are dysfunctions. Something is not right with the way the brain and nervous system are functioning.
If you have a functional neurological condition, you need a functional neurologist to figure it out.
The brain needs fuel, sunlight and stimulation in order to function optimally. Fuel can be defined as oxygen, ketones/glucose and essential nutrients to create ATP. Sunlight drives one of the brain’s two pacemakers to keep it in synch with the body, maintain sleep wake cycles, maintains your autonomic system and much more. Stimulation comes in the form of activating the sensory and motor systems to drive nerve cells to function optimally – think exercise, chiropractic, Pilates and yoga.
Toxins, head trauma (even very mild), nutritional deficiencies, GI problems, inflammation, lack of exercise, overexposure to technology like cell phones, computers and indoor lighting, a lack of sunlight and emotional stress CAUSE functional neurological disorders. Identifying these factors in each particular case is the art of the functional neurologist. Once causative and contributory factors have been identified and areas of weakness or dysfunction within the brain are understood, a plan of care can be put in place to reverse these problems.
This form of brain rehab is based on the process of neuroplasticity – the ability of the brain to grow and change throughout your life. If we can rehab a stroke patient who has experienced damage to the brain as a result of a loss of oxygen, we most certainly can rehab a brain with a functional problem that has no damage!
We use special neurological testing to evaluate the sensory motor system and in particular the oculomotor system, the mechanoreceptor/muscle spindle system and vestibular system as these are powerful inputs that can be used to heal the problem.
Functional Medicine
First of all, Functional Medicine is not a perfect term. It means that doctors who practice this discipline look at the function of the body in careful detail and create plans to maximize that function. It is NOT about prescribing medicine. In fact, I prescribe NO medicine and should I feel a patient needs to be evaluated by a medical doctor, I have terrific friends to refer to.
The OptimumU perspective on functional medicine starts with a careful case history and evaluation. We discuss lifestyle habits, potential toxin exposures, physical and emotional stressors, sleep schedule, exercise and dietary habits and sunlight exposure.
At that point, we do extensive lab testing to see exactly how your body is functioning. Not the standard tests you have had before, but advanced tests that look at your blood, urine, stool and saliva and give us information about immune function, vitamin and mineral status, your gut bacteria, digestion capacity, amino acid availability, inflammation, toxicity and even genetics. Combining this knowledge with your health story empowers me to create a unique plan of nutrition, supplementation, mindset, sleep and exercise modifications to help you move toward Optimum.
Then we set up a program where I hold your hand and kick your butt until you reach your health goals. It is not about putting a band aid on symptoms, it is about fixing problems that hold you back from being TheOptimumU!
Weight Loss
Weight loss, increased energy, feeling better and looking better are the goal of so many people. Why is it so elusive? Why is the diet industry a $68.2 BILLION DOLLAR per year industry?
Because diets DO NOT WORK! If they did, you would diet once and never gain weight again.
Losing weight is a process that starts with your Mindset. Many people have an unhealthy relationship with food. They “Love” food. Not everyone, but many. They find comfort in food. Hence, comfort foods.
The next thing we need to do is evaluate your biochemistry. You hormones, your gastrointestinal system, your nervous system and your musculoskeletal system are all involved in the process and this is where changes are made.
If you want to lose weight and keep it off, we can do it. It begins with an extensive consultation, examination, lab work and a plan of care to detox your system. We work hard at helping to shift the way you look at food and how you live your life. If you are motivated to make a change, set up a consultation.
Chiropractic Care
When people think about chiropractic, they usually think about back pain. Although many people go to chiropractors with neck and back pain, that’s not what it was originally meant for.
The spine is a living organ system that is made up of 24 vertebrae, discs and the spinal cord and spinal nerves. Movement of the body stimulates the joints or connections between the vertebrae which are constantly sending signals to the brain.
Movement of the body moves stimulates the spine which increased brain activation. In fact, because gravity is always present, the body always has to activate the spine to maintain an upright position. It is this very spinal resistance that activates nerves that drive brain function.
When you have an injury, sit for prolonged periods, get out of shape and age, the spinal vertebrae lose their ability to move correctly. This altered movement or dysfunction leads to improper brain activation, localized pain in the spine, disc problems and arthritis.
Maintaining healthy spinal motion is critical to your structural integrity and overall health and fitness.
Chiropractic is the art, science and philosophy of finding areas of spinal dysfunction and stimulating them with an adjustment which allows for normal function.
Think if the adjustment as body maintenance