Written by Sophie Hose, DC, MS, DACNB, CCSP
Movement disorders represent a broad class of neurological conditions that impair a person’s ability to control voluntary movements, manifesting either as reduced or excessive motor activity. From the tremors and stiffness of Parkinson’s disease to the wild, involuntary movements seen in Huntington’s disease, these disorders can be debilitating. The traditional medical approach to managing these conditions often includes pharmacological treatments, but a growing body of research supports the integration of chiropractic neurology as a complementary approach.
Chiropractic neurology, also known as functional neurology, is a rapidly evolving field that focuses on enhancing neuroplasticity—the brain’s ability to reorganize itself by forming new neural connections. This discipline offers promising, non-invasive therapeutic strategies to help patients with both hypo- and hyperkinetic movement disorders regain better motor function. This post delves into the mechanisms behind movement disorders and discusses how chiropractic neurology can play a pivotal role in managing these challenging conditions.
Movement Disorders: An Overview
Movement disorders can be classified into two main categories: hypokinetic and hyperkinetic.
- Hypokinetic disorders are characterized by diminished movement, with Parkinson’s disease being the most well-known example.
- Hyperkinetic disorders are marked by excessive, involuntary movements, such as in the case of Huntington’s disease, dystonia, and essential tremor.
Both types of movement disorders share a common denominator: dysfunction in the brain’s motor circuits, particularly in the basal ganglia and cerebellum, which play critical roles in initiating and regulating movement. Understanding how these regions function and how their dysfunction leads to motor impairment is key to understanding chiropractic neurology’s intervention in managing these disorders.
Hypokinetic Movement Disorders: The Deficiency of Movement
The Neurological Basis of Hypokinetic Disorders
Hypokinetic movement disorders arise primarily due to impaired signaling within the basal ganglia—a group of nuclei in the brain responsible for regulating motor control, behavior, and emotion. Parkinson’s disease, the most studied hypokinetic disorder, occurs due to the degeneration of dopaminergic neurons in the substantia nigra, a key part of the basal ganglia. This degeneration disrupts the balance between the direct and indirect motor pathways, leading to symptoms such as:
- Bradykinesia (slowness of movement)
- Muscle rigidity
- Resting tremors
- Postural instability
Parkinson’s disease is a progressive condition, and traditional medical treatments, such as dopaminergic medications (e.g., levodopa), aim to alleviate symptoms by temporarily restoring dopamine levels. However, these medications often become less effective over time and may lead to undesirable side effects, prompting patients to explore complementary and non-invasive therapies like chiropractic neurology.
Chiropractic Neurology’s Approach to Hypokinetic Disorders
Chiropractic neurology focuses on optimizing neural plasticity, particularly within the motor pathways that control movement. Chiropractic interventions aim to restore balance in the nervous system and improve motor control through several strategies:
- Spinal Adjustments and Myofascial (Soft Tissue) Work: Misalignments and adhesions in the spine can disrupt proprioceptive input and interfere with the nervous system’s ability to coordinate movement. Spinal adjustments and myofascial work on the soft tissues of the neck can correct this interference, improving proprioception and enhancing overall balance.
- Brain-Based Therapies: Stimulating Neural Pathways Chiropractic neurologists employ targeted brain-based therapies to stimulate specific areas of the brain, encouraging neural adaptation and plasticity. For instance, the cerebellum, which plays a key role in finetuning motor movements and maintaining balance, is often targeted using exercises that involve coordination, balance, and spatial awareness. Techniques like vestibular rehabilitation (focused on the inner ear and its connections to the cerebellum) and sensory integration therapies can activate underactive regions of the brain, helping patients regain lost motor control. These therapies aim to optimize the function of neuronal circuits that are underperforming due to the progression of neurodegenerative diseases like Parkinson’s.
- Exercise and Movement Re-education Chiropractic neurology emphasizes movement based therapies to reinforce correct motor patterns. Exercises are designed to specifically target the affected areas of the motor cortex and cerebellum, improving motor coordination and movement fluidity. These exercises can help recalibrate the brain’s motor circuits, offering long-term improvement in motor function.
A growing body of research supports the benefits of chiropractic care in managing Parkinson’s disease. A notable study by Haavik and Murphy (2012) demonstrated that patients with Parkinson’s experienced improvements in motor function, tremor reduction, and an overall enhanced quality of life after undergoing chiropractic spinal adjustments. While chiropractic care is not a cure for Parkinson’s disease, these findings highlight its potential as a complementary therapy to traditional treatments.
Hyperkinetic Movement Disorders: The Challenge of Excessive Movement
The Neurological Basis of Hyperkinetic Disorders
Hyperkinetic movement disorders result from overactivity in the basal ganglia or disruptions in the neural circuits of the cerebellum. These disorders include:
- Huntington’s disease: Characterized by chorea (jerky, involuntary movements) and cognitive decline, Huntington’s arises from a genetic mutation that leads to the progressive degeneration of neurons in the basal ganglia.
- Dystonia: Marked by involuntary muscle contractions that cause repetitive movements and abnormal postures, dystonia involves dysfunction in both the basal ganglia and sensorimotor areas of the brain.
- Essential tremor: A common hyperkinetic disorder that causes rhythmic shaking, primarily in the hands, essential tremor is associated with abnormal activity in the cerebellum.
Traditional medical treatments for hyperkinetic disorders often focus on managing symptoms with medications that modulate neurotransmitters, such as dopamine. However, long-term use of these drugs may lead to side effects, including increased involuntary movements (dyskinesias), prompting patients to seek alternative therapies like chiropractic neurology.
Chiropractic Neurology’s Approach to Hyperkinetic Disorders
Chiropractic neurologists address hyperkinetic disorders by focusing on inhibition of overactive neural circuits, using several key strategies:
- Spinal Adjustments and Proprioception Enhancement As with hypokinetic disorders, spinal misalignments and soft tissue adhesions can interfere with proprioceptive feedback, leading to abnormal muscle contractions or tremors. Chiropractic neurologists correct these misalignments and adhesions through targeted spinal adjustments and myofascial work, helping to modulate proprioceptive input and reduce excessive motor activity. By restoring proper alignment, chiropractors can reduce abnormal muscle tone and involuntary movements. Studies have shown that chiropractic adjustments can have a significant impact on sensorimotor integration, improving motor control in conditions like dystonia and essential tremor (Pickar & Wheeler, 2011).
- Neural Modulation through Brain-Based Therapies In hyperkinetic disorders, the goal of brain-based therapies is to downregulate the overactive regions of the brain responsible for excessive movements. Techniques such as oculomotor exercises, balance training, and vibration therapy are commonly employed to target the cerebellum and basal ganglia, helping to stabilize motor control. For instance, oculomotor therapy—which involves exercises designed to improve eye movements—can activate regions of the brain that regulate voluntary motor control, helping to inhibit involuntary movements.
- Sensory Stimulation Techniques Chiropractic neurologists often use sensory stimulation techniques like vibration therapy and light touch therapy to calm overactive neural circuits. These therapies work by providing sensory feedback that helps the brain recalibrate its motor responses. Over time, these techniques can promote neuroplasticity, encouraging the brain to develop new, more controlled motor patterns.
A 2018 study by Murray and Waddington explored the effects of chiropractic neurology interventions in patients with dystonia. The study found that patients who underwent chiropractic spinal adjustments combined with sensorimotor integration therapies experienced a reduction in involuntary muscle contractions and improved postural control. These findings underscore the potential of chiropractic neurology in managing hyperkinetic disorders by targeting the underlying neural dysfunction.
The Role of Chiropractic Neurology in Promoting Neuroplasticity
The cornerstone of chiropractic neurology is the concept of neuroplasticity—the brain’s ability to rewire itself and form new neural connections in response to injury or dysfunction. In movement disorders, where there is clear dysfunction in the brain’s motor circuits, promoting neuroplasticity is critical for improving motor function.
Chiropractic neurology interventions, including spinal adjustments, brain-based therapies, and sensory stimulation, are all designed to harness the brain’s natural plasticity. By targeting specific neural pathways that control movement, these therapies help the brain reorganize its motor circuits, promoting more effective and controlled movement patterns. This neuroplastic approach offers a powerful, non-invasive method for managing both hypokinetic and hyperkinetic movement disorders.
Chiropractic Neurology as a Complementary Approach to Movement Disorder Management
Chiropractic neurology offers a unique, holistic approach to managing movement disorders, focusing on optimizing neural function through spinal adjustments, brain-based therapies, and neuroplastic techniques. For patients with hypokinetic disorders like Parkinson’s disease or hyperkinetic disorders like dystonia and Huntington’s disease, chiropractic care can provide significant benefits by enhancing motor control, reducing symptoms, and improving quality of life. By focusing on the underlying neural dysfunction rather than just the symptoms, chiropractic neurologists offer a promising, non-invasive alternative to traditional treatments. While chiropractic neurology is not a cure for movement disorders, it serves as an effective adjunctive therapy that can complement existing medical treatments, offering hope to those seeking a more natural path to better health.
If you or someone you love is suffering from movement disorders and you would like to learn how chiropractic neurology can help, contact the team at Georgia Chiropractic Neurology Center today. We look forward to hearing from you.
References
- Carrick, F. R. (2010). “Neuroplasticity and the rehabilitation of movement disorders.” Journal of Clinical Chiropractic Pediatrics, 11(2), 752-759.
- Murray, A. J., & Waddington, G. S. (2018). “Sensory-motor integration in chiropractic practice: Implications for movement disorders.” Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics, 41(5), 368-374.
- Haavik, H., & Murphy, B. (2012). “The role of spinal manipulation in addressing subluxation-related neural dysfunction in movement disorders.” Journal of Neuroscience & Rehabilitation, 7(1), 34-40.
- Pickar, J. G., & Wheeler, J. D. (2011). “Spinal manipulation alters sensorimotor integration and motor control: A review of neurophysiological effects.” Journal of Chiropractic Medicine, 10(2), 79-85.