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  • How do I know if I have had a concussion?

    There are many things each and every one of us should be educated in like CPR and the Heimlich maneuver, but have you given thought to knowing the signs of a concussion? Not many people know what to look for, yet any one of us can fall victim to one at any given moment! A concussion is a type of traumatic brain injury caused by a bump, blow, or jolt to the head or by a hit to the body that causes the head and brain to move rapidly back and forth. Many times, this is a fall, sport contact, or auto accident. This sudden movement can cause the brain to bounce or twist in the skull, creating chemical changes in the brain and sometimes stretching and damaging brain cells. While initially the injury may not specifically cause any pain, if left untreated, it can cause severe damage and long-term side effects including hindering the ability to learn, hear, speak, remember things, balance, and even show emotion. You may have suffered a concussion if you’ve lost consciousness (even momentarily), or are experiencing different sized pupils, slurred speech, nausea, unusual agitation, convulsions or seizures, headaches, drowsiness or inability to wake up, weakness, dizziness, decreased coordination, and/or vomiting and nausea. The signs of a concussion vary from individual to individual as not all head traumas will be exactly the same. If you are exhibiting even 1 symptom after falling or otherwise jolting your head, it’s best to play it safe and seek medical attention immediately. Functional Neurology plays a huge role in aiding in holistic recovery from conditions including concussions. This discipline is effective at retraining the brain and can be customized for each patient.

  • What is neuroplasticity and what are neuroplasticity therapies?

    Neuroplasticity is the brain’s ability to regenerate connections between neurons. This is GREAT news for all of us, as we can fall victim to concussions and other sudden brain traumas at any minute. There are currently many neuroplasticity therapies that have been developed to allow the brain to heal or improve in function: VISION THERAPIES: Eye exercises may be recommended to help strengthen certain parts of the brain that affect function. COGNITIVE TRAINING: These brain exercises focus the mind on certain activities or puzzles. CHIROPRACTIC CARE: Gentle adjustments may be performed to enhance blood flow and proprioceptive feedback to the brain. CORE STRENGTHENING: Perfect for those with poor core strength, which can be observed in poor posture, or slumping forward when they sit. VESTIBULAR (BALANCE) REHABILITATION: This therapy is provided to children or adults who have difficulty feeling comfortable in their space or have trouble with motion, spinning, or have other vestibular processing or proprioceptive problems. LIGHT, SOUND, SCENT, AND TOUCH: These stimulations help with the integration of some primitive reflexes. We also encourage you to read The Brain That Changes Itself  and The Brain’s Way of Healing , by psychiatrist and neuroplasticity researcher, Norman Doige, MD. His books explore the vast world of research surrounding how neuroplasticity can be leveraged to heal the brain and recover function in many different circumstances ranging from chronic pain to Parkinson’s to ADHD, Autism, and even Sensory Processing Disorders.

  • Spinal Decompression

    Were you aware that 80% of adults experience lumbar pain at least once in their lifetime, and of these cases, 80% of structures causing lumbar pain are related to intervertebral discs?  With these odds, it’s important that you are prepared for where to seek treatment should this pain pop up at any time! Nonsurgical spinal decompression is often the answer for people who are suffering from sciatica, facet syndrome, bulging or herniated discs, or even some cases of degenerative arthritis. Nonsurgical spinal decompression therapy is a type of motorized traction that helps relieve back pain and/or leg pain. Spinal decompression works by precisely targeting the vertebral levels causing the pain and creating a negative pressure in the disc. This in turn helps promote movement of water and nutrient-rich fluids into the discs so they can heal. While not every person is a perfect candidate for spinal decompression, its worth being examined.

  • Balance and Vertigo

    Did you know that Functional Neurologists use eye movement tests to determine what is wrong with a patient? The disconnection between individual eye muscles during normal motion (such as weakness in one or more of the independent muscles) can be a common sign of vertigo. While vertigo and balance problems themselves are not life-threatening, they can lead to increased risks of falling and sustaining fall-related injuries. The risk of falling also increases in patients that are over 40 years old or who otherwise suffer from other neurologic deficits and chronic medical problems. Common signs that accompany vertigo include dizziness (3.9 million emergency room visits for vertigo in 2011 alone), hearing loss, visual impairments, nausea and often result in difficulty driving, difficulty being in places with a lot of sensory input (grocery stores and concerts) and a constant '“out of body” experience. Vestibular rehabilitation (VR) is used by Functional Neurologists to be able to target the various parts of the vestibular system (inner ear, cerebellum), which are at the root of conditions affecting balance and coordination. VR methods may include various forms of balance stability work, complex patterned movements of the extremities, therapeutic movement with a motorized rotational chair (NeuroAI), positional maneuvers, and head/eye exercises.

© 2024 by Brain & Spine Wellness Center, PLLC.

(p) 615.463.0550

(f) 615.463.8474

2300 21st Ave S Ste 103 Nashville, TN 37212

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