Chiropractic Neurology
Currently, there are approximately 500 board-certified chiropractic neurologists in the United States. Chiropractic neurology and medical neurology require similar education regarding anatomy and physiology, evaluation, and diagnosis of neurological disorders. The difference, however, is in the application of treatment. Medical doctors primarily use pharmacology and surgery to relieve numbness, pain, tingling, weakness, spasm, vertigo, involuntary muscle movements, and other neurological symptoms. Drugs and surgery can be appropriate treatments for many conditions, but chiropractic neurology offers more conservative methods that often should be considered first.
Through non-pharmacological methods chiropractic neurologists focus on improving the functional symmetry of the central nervous system rather than simply relieving symptoms. Techniques such as chiropractic adjustments and manipulation, Vestibular rehabilitation (treatment for Vertigo and BPPV), sensory motor stimulation, vision therapy, aerobic exercises, breathing exercises, auditory therapy, color therapy, vibration therapy, (IM)Interactive Metronome (see bottom of page), nutrition, and many other treatment modalities have proven effective for many disorders. These treatments are implemented with the specific intent of electrically stimulating the underactive parts of the brain and thus improving the brain's ability to produce neurotransmitters like serotonin and dopamine.
Treatments Available
Dr. Paul D. Austin has completed over 600 hours of post-graduate training in neurology, including specialized training in the treatment of the following: Vertigo, BPPV and other balance problems aka Vestibular disorders (Dr. Austin is uniquely trained in using the Vetigone goggles which were developed by Philip Anthony M.D., a medical otologist)
Depression and anxiety aka mood disorders
Dystonia (painful involuntary muscle contractions)
Neuro-behavioral disorders, such as Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD), Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (AD/HD), obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), Asbergers syndrome, and autism
Reflex sympathetic dystrophy aka chronic regional pain syndrome
High blood pressure
Dyslexia (impairment in reading)
Multiple Sclerosis
Chronic pain
Movement disorders (eg Parkinson's disease)
Aphasia (abnormal function of language)
Vision disturbances
Peripheral neuropathies
Dr. Austin practices brain-based chiropractic versus standard subluxation or spinal-based chiropractic. His method evaluates changes in brain function before and after treatment to assess the effectiveness of care. With a natural approach to health, Dr. Austin has treated families with ages ranging from infants to the elderly with chiropractic adjustive and manipulative techniques, neurological care that includes postural retraining exercises and hemispheric integration therapy as well as brain based nutrition.
The specific cause of neurobehavioral disorders and many other neurological conditions is currently unknown. The field of neurology that Dr. Austin practices believes these disorders are part of a condition called functional disconnect syndrome. A wealth of neurological research and evidence suggests that this condition involves an imbalance between the left and right hemispheres of the brain. It is theorized that when one side of the brain is overly dominant, the other side of the brain will become neglected and underused. This is very similar to what happens when a child has amblyopia, or lazy eye. Unless treated properly, the lazy eye will become dysfunctional and essentially useless. The treatment for brain asymmetry is called hemispheric integration therapy and can include many different modalities. Some of the current therapies practiced at Austin Chiropractic for neurological disorders are listed below.
(IM) Interactive metronome
Vestibular Rehabilitation (treatment for VERTIGO and BPPV)
Techniques Such As Chiropractic Adjustment and Manipulation
Sensory Motor Stimulation
Hemispheric Integration Therapy
Nutrition