Other Neurological Conditions
Other Conditions We Work With
We have decades of experience designing NeuroRescue Programs for thousands of people living with a wide range of neurological conditions.
Every neurological condition is different, and we tailor our approach to the specifics of yours. Some conditions, especially neurodegenerative diseases, can’t be cured or stopped, and we never claim otherwise. What we can do is look carefully at how your nervous system is working and focus on improving function wherever possible.
While every condition is different, there are foundational systems in everyone that need to work well for you to function in the world, including the systems that control your eye movements, balance, body position and coordination. We evaluate these systems in every person, whatever their diagnosis. Our focus is on helping the pathways that are still working well work even better, with the goal of improving your ability to function in daily life and your quality of life.
Our care is designed to work alongside your physician, neurologist and other providers, never in place of them.
Below are some additional conditions we work with, along with a sampling of research on approaches that may be part of a NeuroRescue Program. Much of this research is early, and results vary from person to person. The therapies we recommend are always chosen based on your history, testing and exam findings.
Anoxic Brain Injury
An anoxic brain injury happens when the brain doesn’t get enough oxygen, such as after cardiac arrest or near-drowning. Research has looked at eye movement problems after this type of injury (1), and at transcranial magnetic stimulation (2) and laser therapy (3) as possible approaches.
Chiari Malformation
In a Chiari malformation, part of the cerebellum extends down into the opening at the base of the skull. It can cause headaches, neck pain, dizziness, and problems with eye movements and balance (4). Chiari malformation should be evaluated and managed with a neurologist or neurosurgeon. Because of the structures involved, we take particular care in choosing safe therapies for the neck.
Bell’s Palsy
Bell’s palsy causes sudden weakness of the muscles on one side of the face. Sudden facial weakness can also be a sign of a stroke, so call 911 if it comes with arm or leg weakness, numbness, trouble speaking or confusion. Early medical treatment of Bell’s palsy is important, so see your physician right away. Approaches that have been studied for Bell’s palsy include functional electrical stimulation (5), laser therapy (6), mirror therapy (7) and magnetic stimulation (8).
Cerebral Palsy
Cerebral palsy is a group of conditions that affect movement, muscle tone and posture, caused by differences in brain development before, during or soon after birth. Approaches that have been studied for cerebral palsy include functional electrical stimulation (9), laser therapy (10), vestibular therapy (11) and mirror therapy (12).
Chronic Fatigue Syndrome
Chronic fatigue syndrome, also called myalgic encephalomyelitis (ME/CFS), causes severe, ongoing fatigue that gets worse after physical or mental effort, along with problems with sleep, thinking and often dizziness when standing. Approaches that have been studied include vestibular therapy (13) and transcranial magnetic stimulation (14). Because overexertion can worsen ME/CFS, our testing helps us pace your program carefully.
Epilepsy
Epilepsy is diagnosed and treated by a neurologist, and our care never replaces your seizure treatment. Please never stop or change seizure medication without talking with your neurologist. Approaches that have been studied as additions to standard care include transcutaneous vagus nerve stimulation (15) and caloric vestibular stimulation (16). Ketogenic diets are an established treatment for some types of epilepsy, but they must be supervised by your medical team (17).
Fibromyalgia
Fibromyalgia causes widespread pain, fatigue, sleep problems and trouble thinking, and it is thought to involve changes in how the nervous system processes pain. Approaches that have been studied for fibromyalgia include transcutaneous vagus nerve stimulation (18), transcranial magnetic stimulation (19), laser therapy (20) and virtual reality therapy (21).
Locked-In Syndrome
Locked-in syndrome is a rare condition, usually caused by a brainstem stroke, in which a person is awake and aware but has very limited ability to move or speak. Rehabilitation is a team effort. Approaches that have been studied include physical rehabilitation (22), visual rehabilitation (23) and vestibular rehabilitation (24).
Recovery After Brain Tumor Surgery
After brain tumor surgery, many people have problems with balance, dizziness, coordination or vision. Our care is designed to work alongside your neurosurgeon and oncology team. Approaches that have been studied include vestibular rehabilitation (25) and balance retraining (26).
Scoliosis
Scoliosis is a sideways curve of the spine. Research has found differences in the inner ear, vision and body-position systems in some people with scoliosis, and approaches that have been studied include gaze stabilization exercises (27), vestibular rehabilitation (28), training of the sense of vertical (29) and targeted exercise therapy (30).
Spinal Cord Injury
Spinal cord injuries affect movement, sensation and many automatic body functions below the level of the injury. Our care is designed to work alongside your rehabilitation team. Approaches that have been studied include functional electrical stimulation (31), gait and balance retraining (32) and laser therapy (33).
How the NeuroRescue Program Can Help
Depending on your needs and test results, your program may include eye exercises to improve gaze stability (34) and the accuracy of your eye movements (35); exercises for reflexes involving your inner ear, neck or both (36); balance training under specific conditions and vision training that combines several types of input at once (37); electrical stimulation (38); computerized cognitive training; and exercises in a virtual reality environment (39). Transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) has been studied for many neurological conditions (40). At our clinic, TMS is provided by our psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner, who will evaluate whether it may be appropriate for you. Some programs include mild hyperbaric therapy as a structured recovery option between more demanding therapy sessions.
Studies of approaches that combine several of these therapies have reported improvements in symptoms, in some cases lasting over time (41, 42, 43).
How the NeuroRescue Program Works
Your NeuroRescue Program begins with your Discovery Day. We start with a detailed history of your condition and your life on a timeline. This helps us understand the factors that may have contributed to where you are now, and identify related conditions that may be making it harder to move forward.
We measure how your visual, vestibular and balance systems are working through computerized analysis of your eye movements, inner ear reflexes and balance under different conditions. Our testing includes videonystagmography and saccadometry to measure several types of eye movements, the video head impulse test to measure how each semicircular canal is working, and CAPS computerized posturography to assess your balance under different sensory conditions. We also use NeuroSensoryMotor Integration testing to evaluate hand-eye coordination and cognition, and Virtualis testing to assess dynamic eye tracking and your perception of vertical in a virtual reality environment.
We combine this with a thorough physical and neurological exam of your sensory, motor, autonomic and cognitive systems. We also review any relevant lab work, imaging and prior testing, and integrate it with our findings.
Together, this helps us understand which parts of your nervous system are working well, which are struggling, and how quickly they tire. We use that information to design your personal NeuroRescue Program, aimed at improving function in the systems that need support and helping them work together. Our testing also helps us decide when to push and when to let you rest.
Our goal is to help you make the most of the function you have, so you can do more of what matters to you.
Your Next Step
Living with a neurological condition can be challenging, and it can feel like no one has answers. You don’t have to figure it out alone. To find out if the NeuroRescue Program is right for you, contact one of our patient care coordinators to schedule your Discovery Day.
It’s never too late to take the next step.
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