In this episode of Suburban Burnout, hosts Megan and Laura sit down with the remarkable Dr. Karla Mehlenbacher, affectionately known as Dr. K by her patients, to delve into the intriguing realm of functional neurology. Dr. K's journey into this field is nothing short of inspiring; a lifelong struggle with autoimmune issues led her on a quest for answers beyond the scope of conventional Western medicine. Her tireless pursuit ultimately revealed a diagnosis of Lyme Disease, parasites, and autonomic nervous system dysregulation. Through her naturopathic odyssey, Dr. K found remission from the conditions that had plagued her, subsequently altering her career trajectory from conventional medical practice to holistic medicine. Dr. K's goal in her practice is to empower her patients by helping them understand how the nervous system works allowing them to address the root cause of their issues.
So, what exactly is functional neurology? While traditional neurology often leans on pharmaceuticals or surgical procedures to address neurological concerns, functional neurology embraces a holistic approach, leveraging neuroplasticity through neuromuscular re-education to optimize neural function.
You might be asking yourself, "What is neuroplasticity?" The National Institutes of Health ("NIH") defines neuroplasticity as the nervous system's ability to change its activity in response to intrinsic or extrinsic stimuli by reorganizing its structure, functions, or connections after injury.
Consider the case of post-concussion recovery, for instance. Instead of merely waiting it out and taking anti-inflammatories as traditional medicine would recommend, functional neurology employs repetitive and consistent movements, eye motion exercises, and light and sound therapies to retrain the nervous system while soothing inflammation. These techniques can help individuals regain their sense of balance, reduce tinnitus and headaches, and return the patient to their pre-injury state.
Functional neurology also plays a crucial role in addressing developmental disorders in children. By scrutinizing the microbiome, primitive reflexes, gross and fine motor skills, and complex motor skills, this approach strives to help individuals perform tasks more efficiently, conserving energy. In cases where developmental issues have disrupted this developmental hierarchy, patients are carefully assessed to determine the root causes of their energy expenditure, thus enabling them to feel in control of their bodies ultimately allowing them to focus on more complex functions.
Conditions like ADHD manifest physically in children, often through slouching or restlessness, indicating that they're expending energy inefficiently. This inefficient use of their energy means their bodies are distracted by the environment causing an inability to focus. Boys are eight times more likely to be diagnosed with ADHD than girls, due to their more dominant right internal compass. This dominant right internal compass enables intense focus with minimal energy, but when this system becomes imbalanced, it can lead to conditions like OCD, ADD, ADHD, and tics (typically observed on the right side of the body).
Autism Spectrum Disorder is another area in which functional neurology can help. Dr. K explains that autism can be either syndromic or non-syndromic. Syndromic autism involves chromosomal abnormalities and accounts for approximately 10% of autism cases. Non-syndromic autism encompasses the rest of autism diagnoses and is believed to be influenced by environmental factors. With non-syndromic autism, symptoms exist without another underlying syndrome and those patients can benefit from treatment by a functional neurologist.
Autoimmune disorders, another focus of functional neurology, are a result of the body's repeated exposure to environmental factors it cannot tolerate. Over time, this triggers the immune system to attack the body's own cells. Dr. K highlights that while some cases may have genetic roots, up to 90% of autoimmune disorders are triggered by environmental factors. According to the NIH, 80% of individuals suffering from autoimmune disorders are women. It is believed that periods of intense stress, such as pregnancy and hormonal changes, and myriad environmental factors are responsible for this disparity.
The root cause of many of these issues lies in our environment, including the rampant use of technology and exposure to toxins. Environmental stressors weaken cells and, when combined with overstimulation, wreaks havoc on the immune system. Dr. K recommends a gradual transition towards a healthier environment, one step at a time. Using non-toxic cleaning and personal care products, reducing screen time, and opting for organic foods can improve one's overall health.
Anxiety disorders can also be treated through functional neurology therapies. These disorders are intricately tied to the autonomic nervous system in which our feelings of safety affect our behaviors. The three core aspects of safety come from:
Social Relationships- Highlighting the fundamental human need for a sense of connection to others.
Motor Control- Understanding how one's body perceives and interacts with its surroundings.
Chemical State & the Microbiome- Examining the basic ecological factors at play.
It's crucial to recognize that anxiety can emerge from any of these layers or a combination thereof. Functional neurology's strength lies in its ability to dissect these layers, helping individuals unearth the origins of their anxiety and providing them with effective tools to address and alleviate these challenging conditions.
Parents grappling with their child's diagnosis can become better advocates by recognizing the interconnection between various conditions and the environment. This paradigm shift can help remove the stigma associated with diagnoses and empower individuals with knowledge and understanding. For a more in-depth look at this conversation, listen to this fascinating episode of Suburban Burnout.
Meet our Guest:
Dr. Karla Mehlenbacher is a Board-Certified Chiropractic Neurologist, holistic autoimmune practitioner, and founder of Take Root Brain & Body. Dr. Mehlenbacher uses Integrative Neurology and Functional Medicine to help people struggling with post-concussion syndrome, childhood developmental disorders, chronic pain, and many other neurological and autoimmune conditions.
After developing an auto-immune disease as a child, and later a discovery of Lyme Disease, she was drawn to the field of holistic health and healing. Dr. Mehlenbacher received a Doctorate of Chiropractic from Parker University, Fellowships from the International Board of Functional Neurology and the American Board of Brain Injury and Rehabilitation, and has degrees in human anatomy, biology, and clinical neuroscience. She weaves perspectives from these disciplines to support full-body wellness. Her hope is to build a community where anyone suffering with chronic illness can seek wellness and feel supported by a wide variety of resources specific to the healing journey.
You can find Dr. Karla at www.takerootcn.com and on Instagram @drkarlamehlenbacher
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