Treating Chronic Conditions : Brain Based Therapy 

Brain-Based Therapy (BBT) is a revolutionary new treatment program. The treatments are all neurologically based and clinically proven to help with chronic neck and back pain,Leg pain / sciatica, migraine headache, dizziness / vertigo, restless leg syndrome, RSDS, MS, numbness, balance disorders and other neurological condition. 

Some of the treatments that are used in brain-based therapy are oxygen therapy, visual stimulation, auditory stimulation, olfactory stimulation, spin therapy, eye exercises, heat, mirror imagery, the interactive metronome (IM) and the Upper Body Ergometer.  

Back Pain  

The standard medical approach to back pain varies depending on the severity of the condition. Music relaxers, painkillers, rest, and physical therapy such as traction, diathermy, ultrasound, hot packs, and cold packs are sometimes used. However, this approach has not been found very helpful. If the problem doesn¡¯t improve or worsens, then surgery may be performed. 

We take a different approach to the treatment and prevention of low back pain. After a thorough neurological examination we determine which part of the nervous system is not functioning properly. In many low back pain patients we may find a high mesencephalic output.  

There are three parts to the brain stem: top, middle, and lower. The mesencephalon is the top part of the brain stem. A high output of the mesencephaon will cause and increased pulse and heart rate, inability to sleep or waking up from fitful sleep, urinary tract infection, increase warmth or sweating, and sensitivity to light.  

Along with a high mesencephalic output, the low back pain patient may have a decreased output of the cerebellum. The cerebellum is in the back part of the brain, and it controls all of the involuntary spinal musculature.  

No matter what the condition, it is imperative that the chiropractic neurologist performs a thorough and comprehensive exam to determine the exact nature of the patient¡¯s condition. 

Sciatica 

If your sciatic nerve becomes inflamed, the condition is called sciatica. The pain can be intense! It often follows the path of your nerve down the back of your legs and thighs, ankle, foot and toes, but it can also radiate to your back. Along with burning, sharp pains, you may also feel nerve sensations such as pins-and needles, tingling, prickling, crawling sensations, or tenderness. Ironically, your leg may also feel numb. To complicate matters, although sciatica pain is usually in the back of the legs or thighs, in some people it can be in the front or the side of the legs, or even in the hips. For some, the pain is in both legs ? bilateral sciatica! 

The quality of pain may vary. There may be constant throbbing, but then it may let up for hours or even days. It may ache or be knife-like. Sometimes postural changes, like lying down or changing positions, affect the pain, and sometimes they don¡¯t. In severe cases, Sciatica can cause a loss of reflexes or even a wasting of your calf muscles. 

For sciatica sufferers, a good night¡¯s sleep may be a thing of the past. Simple things like walking, sitting, or standing up can be difficult or impossible. 

In many sciatica patients we may find a high mesencephalic output. Along with a high mesencephalic output, the sciatica patient may have a decreased output of the cerebellum. 

The right brain controls the left side of the body, and the left brain controls the right side.If the patient is experiencing pain on one side of the body, the opposite brain may be firing at an abnormally high rate. In order for a patient to perceive pain, an area of the brain fire at a higher frequency of firing. If the pain is bilateral or on both sides, there may be different central structures involves such as the brain stem or cerebellum. It is my job to determine which aspect of the central nervous system is not working properly.  

Fibromyalgia 

Fibromyalgia is a form of generalized muscular pain and fatigue that affects approximately 3.7 million Americans. The name, Fibromyalgia, means pain in the muscles and the fibrous connective tissues (the ligaments and tendons). Fibromyalgia lacks laboratory abnormalities; instead, the diagnosis depends mostly on a person¡¯s report or complaints and feeling. Pain is the prominent symptom of Fibromyalgia. It generally occurs throughout the body although it may start in one region, such as the neck and shoulders, and spread to other areas over a period of time. 

Most people with Fibromyalgia experience moderate or severe fatigue with a lack of energy. Decreased exercise endurance, or the kind of exhaustion that results from the flu or lack of sleep. Sometimes the fatigue is more of a problem than the pain. Headaches, especially muscular (tension headaches) and migraine headaches, are common in Fibromyalgia. Abdominal pain, bloating, alternating constipation, bladder spasm, and Irritability may cause urinary urgency or frequency. Your skin and blood circulation can be sensitive to temperature changes, resulting in temporary changes in skin color. 

In many Fibromyalgia patients we may find a high mesencephalic output. Along with a high mesencephalic output, the Fibromyalgia patient may have a decreased output of the cerebellum. The cerebellum is in the back part of the brain, and it controls all of the involuntary spinal musculature. 

Like all chronic type patients whose symptoms last longer than 6 months, Fibromyalgia patients must be monitored closely before and after treatments (blood pressure, pulse, SpO2). If the patient is not monitored, it is possible to over-stimulate or exceed metabolic capacity. Since the upper part of the brain stem (mesnecephalon) is firing at an abnormally high rate, I will want to utilize modalities that will lower the mesencephalic output.  

Neck Pain 

Neck pain can be caused by irritation, inflammation, injury, or infection. Pain in the neck, shoulder, arm, hand, or head ¡°most¡± frequently results from irritation of cervical nerve roots in the region of the intervertebral foramen, encroachment of the vascular supply as it courses through the vertebral canal , or invasion of the cord in the spinal canal. 

If unhealthy, your neck¡¯s normal forward curve may reduce, become straight or ¡°military¡±, or even reverse its curve. Over time, arthritic changes in the vertebrae such as lipping or spurring (bony growths), disc thinning or degeneration, or deterioration of muscles, ligaments and other structures may occur. However, in spite of all these changes, there may or may not be pain. In fact, studies show little or no correlation between the degree of pain felt in the neck and arthritis changes found on X-rays and MRI.. 

Lipping, spurring, and other irregularities (osteoarthritis) do not in themselves constitute a diseases but are instead defense mechanisms that arise to stabilize an off-balance spine. Recent research has shown that manipulative care can reverse some of the effects of osteoarthritis-something that had previously been considered impossible. 

In many the neck pain patients we may find a high mesencephalic output. Along with a high mesencephalic output, the neck pain patient may have a decreased output of the cerebellum. The cerebellum is in the back part of the brain, and it controls all of the involuntary spinal musculature. 

Migraine Headaches 

The migraine headache is perhaps the best known special type of headache. It is really called the migraine syndrome. By syndrome we mean that a lot of things accompany the headache ? all of them bad, redness, swelling, tearing of eyes, muscle contraction, irritability, nausea, vomiting, constipation, or diarrhea. These symptoms often arise before the headache hits. The headache itself may last for a few minutes to a few days, and the severity may range from minor discomfort to immobilizing agony. The migraine pain is most common in the temple, but it may be experienced anywhere in the head, face and neck. 

A variety of headache, closely related to the migraine, is the cluster headache. Attacks come on abruptly with intense, throbbing pain arising high in the nostril and spreading to behind the eye on the same side. Sometimes, the forehead is also affected. The attacks tend to occur from once to several times daily in clusters lasting weeks, or even months. Without apparent reason, the cluster subsides as quickly as it began. 

So what puts the ache in headache? The pain-sensitive structures of the head are the culprits. These are the arteries of the brain and skull, the tissues surrounding the head veins, the dura mata covering over the brain, and certain nerves called cranial nerves. When these parts are inflamed, stretched, pulled, or under pressure, any type of headache may be caused. 

Migraine headaches can be classified into two types: classical and common. The classical migraine is a headache that follows an aura or some type of spontaneous event such as numbness or tingling. The aura may be flashes of light, squiggly lines, or a halo effect. The common migraine does not have an aura associated with it. Most people who suffer from migraines suffer from common migraines ? usually at a 3:1 ratio. 

Approximately 28 million Americans suffer from migraines, and millions go without treatment. Scientists once thought migraines were caused by abnormally dilated or enlarged blood vessels. Now, new imaging devices have allowed them to watch brains during migraine attacks, and scientists are discovering that sufferers have abnormally excitable neurons or brain nerve cells. 

The latest migraine research has yield a mechanism called cortical spreading depression, or CSD. Prior to the onset of pain in a migraine, researchers have observed a sudden burst of cortical activity that occurs most commonly in the occipital lobes (back part of the brain). The occipital lobe will increase in frequency of firing, or have a burst of activity, and then there will be an episode of silence or depressed activity. The actual activity of the brain becomes depressed when compared to normal. The resulting pain comes from either the brain stem activation or from blood vessels inflamed by rapidly exchanging blood flow ? or both. 

I take a different approach to the treatment and prevention of headaches and migraines. After though neurological examination I determine which part of the nervous system is not function properly. In many headache and migraine patients I may find a high mesencephalic output.  

No matter what the condition, it is imperative that the chiropractic neurologist performs a though and comprehensive exam to determine the exact nature of the patient¡¯s condition. 

Vertigo (Dizziness) 

Vertigo, or dizziness, affects millions of people around the world each year. In a majority of the cases, vertigo is nothing than a temporary inconvenience. In some cases, vertigo is a debilitating condition. Day-to-day activities is kept to minimum due to the severe dizziness. 

In many cases, the area of dysfunction in the nervous system is the cerebellum. The cerebellum is in the posterior aspect (back part) of the brain and controls our coordinated movements. 

There are specific tests that the chiropractic neurologist utilizes to determine cerebellar function. Standing with your feet together and eyes closed, the test is positive if the patient sways back and forth. Other tests including, touching the index finger to the nose with eyes closed, walking heel to toe, moving the fingers rapidly as if playing the piano, or touching all of your fingers to your thumb as fast as possible. These tests and others are used to determine the function of the cerebellum. 

Treatment of the cerebeller dysfunction may include: 

• Unilateral (one-sided) Adjustment: Extremities (arms and legs), lumbar (low back) and Cervical (neck) spine will be manipulated on one side only to fire muscle spindle cells (muscle receptors) and joint mechanoreceptors (joint receptors) into the same cerebellum and opposite cerebra cortex (brain). The thoracic (mid-back) spine will be globally manipulated to fire the dorsal columns (back part of the spinal cord) and reduce rib fixations.
• Caloric: A warm water caloric of 180 milliliters may be administered in the ear to stimulate the ipsilateral (same side) cerebellum.
• Eye Exercises: Eye exercises may be used to increase the frequency of firing to the cerebellum and frontal lobe of the brain.
• Heat therapy: Heat therapy is used to promote an increased metabolic and healing rate to the involved tissue. Increased heat helps increase activation to the brain. Heat has immediate soothing and palliative effects as decreased joint stiffness, decreased muscle spasms and releases histamine and bradykinin causing vasodilation of the tissues.

One or all of the procedures may be employed to restore the cerebellum to its normal function.