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TREATMENT
The most important consideration in treatment is to
improve motor performance and the biochemistry,
which will equally improve cognitive function. It
is also equally important to balance out activity in
both hemispheres. To achieve this it is necessary to
use hemisphere specific stimulations such as motor,
sensory, and cognitive modalities directed toward
under stimulated hemisphere, and increase the level
of micronutrients (substrate) to the brain.
We utilize the best in:
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Auditory Interactive Training
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Visual Interactive Therapy
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Vestibular-Ocular and Vestibular-Cerebellar
Rehabilitation
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Spinal manipulation
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Physical therapy
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Optokinetic Stimulation
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Biochemical Analysis
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Nutritional Supplementation
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Interactive Metronome
Physical rehabilitation is paramount in brain
development. Treatment protocol is based on the
objective evaluation findings. Specific
programs are developed for the needs of the
individual to improve physical and cognitive
development. With our advanced technology we
are able to evaluate pre- and post-treatment at each
visit to determine appropriate care and measure
results.
DETAILS ON SOME
OF THE
THERAPIES WE UTILIZE:
Interactive Metronome (IM)
The Interactive Metronome is used as an assessment tool and also for treatment. The object of the IM training is to help your child improve his/her ability to selectively plan and sequence, without interruption by internal thoughts or external distractions, over extended periods of time. Your child will use an arm or leg to tap in time with the Interactive Metronome's beat that is heard through headphones. The trigger attached to the limb sends a signal to the computer. The computer will then analyze when the tap occurred in relation to the beat.
IM treatment has
been used to help children diagnosed with:
- Sensory
Integration Disorder
- Autism
Spectrum Disorder
- Cerebral Palsy
- Non-verbal
Learning Disorder
- ADD/ADHD
IM has undergone
scientific trials and has been shown to improve:
- Attention and
Concentration
- Motor Control
and Coordination
- Cognitive
Processing
- Reading and
Math Fluency
- Control of
Aggression/Impulsivity
Chiropractic Manipulation
Chiropractic treatment is prescribed, and directed at restoring the normal structural balance, muscle tone, as well as neurological balance and is ultimately geared towards increasing and balancing brain functions. This is done primarily using spinal manipulation and joint mobilization.
Auditory Stimulation
The brain processes different sounds in different ways. When you listen to an audio book on tape versus a tape of music with nature sounds, the brain processes each one in a different way. The left brain processes words and the right brain processes more abstract pieces of music. Therapy can consist of listening to foreign language tapes, nature sounds, or Mozart. In fact Mozart's music has been clinically proven to improve intelligence and brain functions. Also, we direct the stimulus to specifically the left or right brain by isolating the sound to one ear. The left ear is linked with the right brain and the right ear is linked with the left brain. Home therapy may also be prescribed.
Tactile
Stimulation/Massage Therapy
Sensation from the left side of the body is
perceived in the right brain. Using massage therapy,
vibrational modalities and brushing techniques on
the appropriate side can increase plasticity in the
hypo-functioning brain. Home therapies may also be
prescribed.
Light Stimulation
Light is an excitatory stimulus to the brain. At night, we turn off the lights to reduce the activation to our brain so we can sleep. Light stimulation is used in many different ways. Hemifield stimulation is a computer-based program tailored to your child's specific needs. The program is designed to blink alternating squares in a particular location on the screen. The doctor determines the color of the squares and they're blinking frequency. Another form of light stimulation is "eye-lights". Your child will wear glasses that blink soft red light either in the left or right field of vision depending upon the
weaker-functioning side of the brain. Different colored lenses may also be
recommended to slow down or speed up the amount of visual stimuli your child receives everyday.
Spinal Stability
Postural tone is dependent upon spinal stability and neurological function. Very often children with
ADD/ADHD/PDD, etc. have poor posture. The muscles that allow us to have good posture are involuntary. In other words, telling your child to "sit up straight" will not correct the problem. To restore normal posture, we must retrain the brain and muscle connections to have proper neurological control. These muscles allow us to resist gravity. Gravity is the only environmental stimulus that is constant. Light, sound, smell, touch vary during different times of the day. If we make the connection between muscles and the brain more efficient, your child will stimulate their own brain everyday as they walk in our world of gravitational forces. Spinal stability exercises improve tone, coordination and strength.
Vestibular Exercises
The vestibular system is what allows us to know where we are in space. It allows us to be steady, coordinated and balanced. Patients that suffer with problems in their vestibular system report symptoms of vertigo (spinning, nausea), motion sickness, or poor balance. The vestibular system is comprised of your inner ear, eyes and brain. Vestibular therapy allows us to strengthen the connections among them. Exercises will include spinning, applying different head positions, and eye exercises.
Joint Mobility and Flexibility Exercises
We live in an age of high technology and rely heavily on computer electronics for our entertainment. With the advent of computer games and digital toys comes lack of physical exercise. Due to increased inactivity, your child may have shortened muscles. Muscles that have become shortened may also produce some stiffness of the joints over time. Sometimes the pain and stiffness is attributed to "growing pains." Flexibility exercises will be specifically geared toward lengthening muscles. Slow stretches, including yoga postures can restore normal tone. This allows normal communication between the muscles and the brain.
Breathing Exercises
Breath is life. If we do not breathe properly, our body does not have the fuel delivery needed to think, digest our food or move properly. Poor posture is also attributed to inefficient, poor breathing habits. During breathing exercises, oxygen saturation will be monitored to ensure proper oxygenation is achieved.
Balance and Coordination Exercises
Balance therapies include working on rocker boards and wobble boards of varying levels of difficulty. As your child learns to balance, we begin coordination exercises, such as catching a ball with their non-dominant hand. In recent studies it has been found that improving motor skills has had a major influence on brain function.
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