Georgia Chiropractic Neurology Center

Brain Based Treatment for the 21st Century!

Imagine feeling a constant urge—like an itch you can’t scratch—compelling you to blink, jerk, or make a sudden sound. No matter how much you try to suppress it, it builds up until it has to be released. For those living with vocal and motor tics, this is daily life. Whether a child struggling in school or an adult navigating social settings, tics present unique challenges that can affect confidence, concentration, and overall well-being. If you or someone you love experiences tics, understanding them is the first step to finding solutions.

What Are Tics?

Tics are sudden, rapid, repetitive movements or vocalizations that occur involuntarily. They are categorized into two main types:

  • Motor Tics: These involve movements, such as blinking, shoulder shrugging, or head jerking.
  • Vocal Tics: These include sounds like throat clearing, sniffing, grunting, or even words and phrases.

Tics are often associated with Tourette Syndrome (TS), but they can occur independently or alongside other neurological conditions. They range from mild to severe, sometimes interfering with daily activities, social interactions, and emotional health.

Understanding Tourette Syndrome

Tourette Syndrome is a neurological disorder characterized by multiple motor tics and at least one vocal tic that persist for over a year. It typically begins in childhood, with symptoms emerging between ages 5 and 10. While TS varies in severity, it often follows a pattern of waxing and waning, where tics may increase or decrease in intensity over time.

What Causes Tourette Syndrome?

The exact cause of TS remains unclear, but research suggests a combination of genetic and environmental factors play a role. Studies indicate that:

  • Genetics: TS tends to run in families, with certain genes influencing susceptibility to tic disorders.
  • Brain Structure and Function: Abnormalities in the basal ganglia, a brain region involved in movement control, have been linked to TS.
  • Neurotransmitter Imbalance: Dopamine dysregulation is believed to contribute to tic severity, influencing impulse control and movement patterns.

Symptoms Beyond Tics

While tics are the hallmark of TS, many individuals experience coexisting conditions, such as:

  • Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD): Difficulty focusing, impulsivity, and hyperactivity are common in individuals with TS.
  • Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD): Intrusive thoughts and repetitive behaviors often accompany TS, further impacting daily life.
  • Anxiety and Depression: The social and emotional toll of TS can lead to heightened stress, anxiety, and mood disorders.
  • Sleep Disturbances: Many with TS experience difficulties falling asleep or staying asleep due to increased neurological activity.

How Does TS Progress?

TS symptoms usually appear in early childhood, often peaking in severity during adolescence before improving in adulthood. While some individuals experience lifelong tics, many see a significant reduction in symptoms with age. However, managing TS effectively requires a comprehensive approach tailored to each individual’s neurological profile.

How Do Tics Present?

Tics can appear in different forms and intensities, often worsening with stress, excitement, or fatigue. Some key characteristics include:

  • Sudden Onset: Tics emerge spontaneously and can fluctuate in frequency.
  • Suppressibility: Individuals may temporarily suppress tics, but this often leads to a buildup of tension, making them return with greater intensity.
  • Waxing and Waning: Tics can change over time, disappearing and reappearing in different forms.

Recognizing these traits helps differentiate tics from other neurological conditions, ensuring appropriate management strategies.

Tics vs. Other Movement Disorders: Spotting the Difference

Tics are often mistaken for other movement disorders, making accurate diagnosis essential. Here’s how they differ:

  • Dystonia: Involves sustained muscle contractions, leading to twisting movements or abnormal postures, rather than brief, repetitive motions.
  • Myoclonus: Sudden, brief muscle jerks that differ from tics due to their lack of suppressibility and urge.
  • Chorea: Involuntary, irregular, and unpredictable movements that flow from one muscle group to another.
  • Stereotypies: Repetitive, rhythmic movements (like hand-flapping) that typically appear early in childhood and are often linked to autism spectrum disorders.

Proper differentiation is crucial because treatment strategies vary significantly among these conditions.

Why Are Tics Challenging?

Living with tics goes beyond the physical symptoms. Individuals with tics often face:

  • Social Stigma: Repetitive sounds or movements can draw unwanted attention, leading to embarrassment or isolation.
  • Emotional Distress: Many people with tics experience anxiety, frustration, or low self-esteem.
  • Cognitive Challenges: Tics can interfere with focus, particularly in academic or professional settings.
  • Co-Existing Conditions: Tics frequently occur with ADHD, OCD, or anxiety disorders, making management more complex.

Given these challenges, a comprehensive approach is necessary—one that goes beyond suppressing symptoms and instead supports neurological function at its core.

Chiropractic Neurology: A Natural Approach to Managing Tics

Chiropractic neurology focuses on optimizing brain function using non-invasive, drug-free interventions. While traditional treatments often involve medications with side effects, chiropractic neurology offers a holistic alternative. Here are some key approaches:

  1. Neuromodulation Techniques

Tics often involve dysregulation in specific brain regions, particularly the basal ganglia and frontal lobes. Neuromodulation therapies, such as:

  • Vestibular Rehabilitation: Stimulating the vestibular system (responsible for balance and coordination) can improve motor control and reduce tic severity.
  • Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS): Low-frequency magnetic pulses can help modulate brain activity associated with tic generation.

  1. Sensory Integration Therapy

Many individuals with tics have sensory processing challenges. Techniques that enhance sensory integration—such as visual-motor exercises, balance training, and proprioceptive input—can help regulate the nervous system and decrease tic expression.

  1. Functional Neurology Exercises

By stimulating underactive brain areas, specific exercises can help regulate tic-related brain pathways. These may include:

  • Eye Movement Therapy: Targeting the oculomotor system can improve brain connectivity and reduce motor tics.
  • Cognitive Training: Exercises designed to enhance executive function can help manage tic impulses.

  1. Nutrition and Lifestyle Strategies

Brain health is profoundly affected by diet, sleep, and stress. Chiropractic neurology incorporates:

  • Anti-Inflammatory Diets: Reducing processed foods and incorporating omega-3s and magnesium-rich foods can support brain function.
  • Sleep Optimization: Improving sleep hygiene helps regulate neurotransmitter balance, reducing tic frequency.
  • Stress Management: Mindfulness, breathing exercises, and biofeedback can help decrease stress-related tic exacerbation.

Moving Forward with Confidence

Tics may present challenges, but they do not define a person’s potential. Understanding tics, distinguishing them from other movement disorders, and exploring chiropractic neurology options provide a path toward greater neurological balance.

If you or someone you love is struggling with vocal or motor tics or a different movement disorder, contact the team at Georgia Chiropractic Neurology Center today. We look forward to hearing from you.

Written by Sophie Hose, DC, MS, DACNB, CCSP

Peer-Reviewed Sources:

  1. Cavanna, A. E., & Rickards, H. (2013). The psychopathological spectrum of Gilles de la Tourette syndrome. Neuroscience & Biobehavioral Reviews, 37(6), 1008-1015
  2. Eapen, V., Cavanna, A. E., & Robertson, M. M. (2016). Comorbidities, social impact, and quality of life in Tourette syndrome. Frontiers in Psychiatry, 7, 97
  3. Gilbert, D. L., & Buncher, R. (2019). Tics and Tourette syndrome: Diagnosis, pathophysiology, and the role of functional imaging. Pediatric Neurology, 97, 3-11.
  4. Martino, D., & Leckman, J. F. (2020). Tourette syndrome and its associated disorders: New developments in epidemiology and genetics. The Lancet Neurology, 19(7), 577-591.