Chiropractic neurology is a fast-growing sub specialty within the profession and requires approximately three years of additional postgraduate study before a doctor may become board eligible. After successfully passing a specialty board examination, chiropractic neurologists earn the title “DACNB” – Diplomate of the American Chiropractic Neurology Board. They must then undergo yearly re-certification in order to maintain their board certification status. While several different postgraduate programs in neurology exist, the ACNB is the only chiropractic specialty board to achieve NOCA/NCCA accreditation, the highest level of accreditation for specialty boards. NCCA standards exceed the requirements set forth by the American Psychological Association and the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission.
A chiropractic neurologist may serve in a consulting manner for other doctors and may perform specialized tests to assess the nervous system. Some choose to limit the focus of their practice to specific conditions. At our office we tend to focus on vertigo, migraine headaches, carpal tunnel syndrome and neuropathy care in addition to neck and back pain. Vestibular testing (VENG) reveals the status of the parts of the inner ear and brain that help with our sense of balance. Nerve conduction studies (NCV)and needle EMG testing reveals the health of nerves and muscles. In addition to manipulation, a chiropractic neurologist may also utilize brain-based therapies such as auditory stimulation, visual stimulation and forms of biofeedback to specifically affect certain nerve pathways and promote neuroplasticity.
Additionally, they may counsel patients about nutrition to provide further support to the nervous system during care. Since no two nervous systems are completely identical, treatment by a chiropractic neurologist tends to be highly individualized and very specific from patient to patient. Many chiropractic neurologist’s choose to focus on treating movement disorders, dystonias, and rehabilitating stroke patients as well as patients with head injuries. Others devote their practice to treating patients with other brain-based conditions such as ADD/ADHD, autism and behavioral disorders. For patients in whom certain neuronal pathways have been damaged or destroyed, function can often be regained by facilitating alternate neuronal pathways to take over.