What is Chiropractic Neurology?
Chiropractic neurology is a specialty within the chiropractic field that assesses the stability of the nervous system of each patient and treats that patient using non-invasive, non-pharmaceutical protocols. This treatment protocol is defined as brain based rehabilitation.

Examination and assessment is similar to that of medical neurologists, however treatment modalities differ greatly. Chiropractic neurologists use specific ipsilateral afferent stimulations and chiropractic adjustments for brain-based physiologic rehabilitation of neurologic conditions. Patients with both pathological and physiological lesions can benefit from this approach. A physiological lesion is one in which there is no pathology or disease process affecting that patient as seen on Diagnostic testing and neurological examination. A physiological lesion is an underfunctioning aspect of the nervous system which requires activation of specific receptors within the body to function optimally.

How is it different from medical neurology?
The difference is in the treatment/therapy "tools". Medical doctors utilize pharmaceutical and surgical intervention and management. Chiropractic neurologists focus on brain-based physical rehabilitation using afferent (receptor based) stimulation specifically targeting dysfunctioning areas of the brain and nervous system. Because therapies are specifically tailored to each individual's neurologic function, it is impossible to standardize this care. The expected treatment outcome is to increase the plasticity of weak/fragile cells and their surrounding cells.

What patients would I refer?
MEDICAL DOCTORS: Those you suspect or have determined to have a neurological condition. Particularly, those patients with neurophysiological lesions (i.e.: negative tests/imaging for pathology) such as vertigo/dizziness, dystonia, ADD/ADHD, developmental delays, etc. In addition, patients who have maximized the benefit of treatment options provided, rejected invasive procedures or drug therapy. Pregnant patients who want to avoid long term pharmaceutical intervention.

CHIROPRACTIC DOCTORS: Those you suspect or have determined to have a neurological condition. Patients who have reached a plateau and are not continuing to progress under their current treatment plan or whose body has not responded to care the way you would have initially expected. Patients who have consulted a medical neurologist but have not resolved their condition and are looking for another treatment option.

What is receptor based afferent stimulation?
Afferent stimulation is a broad term for a variety of therapies that may be a part of a treatment protocol. They are elements in the natural environment that stimulate parts of the brain and nervous system. They can include, but are not limited to:
Cold or Warm caloric stimulation
Visual, Auditory, olfactory, or tactile stimulation
Hemistim (computer based visual stimulation)
Balance & proprioceptive exercises
Vestibular exercises and kinetic therapy
Spinal & Extremity adjustments
Oxygenation exercises
Ocular movement retraining & exercises

Is nutrition part of the treatment?
Frequently, patients are in urgent need of nutritional changes and recommendations are made when appropriate.

What about changes in medication?
Changes in medication can only be made by the prescribing physician. Those decisions are between the patient and that doctor. Dr. Tim works with patients and their medical doctors to help insure that everyone involved in the case is on the same page.

What is a Chiropractic Neurologist's training?
Over 300 hours of post doctoral coursework in the training of functional neurology is required to be eligible to sit for the diplomat examination of the American Chiropractic Neurology Board. This specialty board in Neurology is recognized by the American Chiropractic Association, The American Chiropractic Association's Council on Neurology and the Council on Chiropractic Specialties. The American Chiropractic Neurology Board is a full member of the National Organization for Competency Assurance and is fully accredited by the National Commission for Certification Agencies. Please visit www.carrickinstitute.org or www.acnb.org for more information.