Functional Neurological Disorder Program

Unlock Your Movement Potential: Our Functional Neurological Disorder Program is designed to help you overcome limitations and restore your function through individualized care and a holistic approach.

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Empower Yourself: Navigate Life with Functional Neurological Disorder

Do you struggle with inexplicable muscle weakness, stiffness, or tremors that affect your daily activities? Are you tired of feeling like your body is not under your own control? Our program is designed to help individuals like you who are living with FND.

FND is a complex condition that affects the way your brain controls your movements. It can cause a wide range of symptoms, including muscle weakness, stiffness, tremors, and even pain. It's not always easy to understand or treat, but our program is here to help.

We take a holistic approach to FND treatment, focusing on your specific goals and uncovering your strengths and resources.

Functional Neurological Disorder (FND) is a unique medical condition that involves disruptions in the normal functioning of the nervous system, affecting how signals are transmitted and received between the brain and the body. Unlike structural disorders like multiple sclerosis or stroke, FND is characterized by its impact on the brain's communication pathways. This disorder encompasses a wide array of neurological symptoms, including limb weakness and seizures, among others.

FND exists at the crossroads of neurology and psychiatry, presenting a challenge for diagnosis and treatment. Unlike conventional tests such as MRI scans and EEGs, which are often normal in FND patients, this condition has a substantial impact on individuals' well-being and daily lives. Recent studies have highlighted the potential for tailored treatments to reverse FND symptoms, marking a shift in how both medical professionals and society view and approach individuals with FND.

In the past, FND was sometimes mistakenly thought to be solely psychological, linked exclusively to stress or past trauma. However, modern neuroscientific research has dispelled this notion. FND is not simply a diagnosis of exclusion but a distinct disorder with specific clinical characteristics. These features vary among individuals; psychological factors can play a role in some cases, while others may not be influenced by them.

The diversity of terms used to describe FND reflects the evolving understanding of its nature and the challenges in accurately characterizing its manifestations. Among the common synonyms are: Functional Neurological Symptom Disorder, Functional Movement Disorder, Conversion Disorder, Psychogenic Seizures / Movement Disorder, Dissociative Seizures / Motor Disorder, Non-Epileptic Seizures, FND (Functional Neurological Disorder), Dissociative Neurological Symptoms Disorder.

Reference:

1. Functional Neurological Disorder, Rare Disease Organization (can be accessed here: https://rarediseases.org/rare-diseases/fnd/)

2. LaFaver K, Maurer CW, Nicholson TR, Perez DL (eds). Functional Movement Disorder. Springer 2022.

The exact cause of FND remains uncertain, but ongoing research provides insights into its development. Various factors, such as pre-existing neurological conditions, chronic pain, fatigue, stress, childhood abuse, and life stressors, might increase susceptibility to FND. Genetic factors are also believed to contribute, but FND is not solely a genetic disorder.

Certain triggers, like physical injuries, infections, vaccinations, panic attacks, or migraines, can initiate the first experience of neurological symptoms. Although these symptoms usually subside, FND results from the nervous system getting "stuck" in abnormal patterns of functioning. This altered brain activity leads to the persisting and debilitating symptoms seen in FND.

FND can be challenging to comprehend, both for patients and medical professionals. A clear and supportive explanation of the diagnostic features can set the foundation for effective treatment. While scans and tests might be normal, understanding the condition's nature can help patients realize the potential for improvement.

Specific treatments have emerged for FND, with notable success in physical therapy for motor symptoms and psychological therapies for functional seizures. Physical therapy focuses on retraining movement patterns and addressing abnormal brain patterns. Psychological therapies like cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) empower patients to regain control over their symptoms.

Other therapies, such as occupational therapy for daily activities, speech therapy for speech-related symptoms, and alternative therapies like virtual reality and transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS), are also being explored through research.

FND manifests through a diverse range of physical, sensory, and cognitive symptoms, often causing significant disruptions in daily life. Some common symptoms include:

Motor Dysfunction: Functional limb weakness, movement disorders (such as tremors, spasms, and jerky movements), and speech difficulties (like slurred or stuttering speech).
Sensory Dysfunction: Altered sensations, such as numbness, tingling, or pain, often on one side of the body, along with visual symptoms like loss of vision or double vision.
Episodes of Altered Awareness: Functional seizures, blackouts, and fainting spells, which can mimic epileptic seizures but lack the characteristic brain activity.
Dizziness: Functional dizziness, which affects postural perception and can lead to persistent feelings of imbalance.
Cognitive Symptoms: Challenges with memory, concentration, and word retrieval, consistent with an FND diagnosis.

These symptoms can fluctuate in intensity and may vary from day to day. Some individuals experience periods of remission followed by relapses.

Our Program

Our Functional neurological disorder program is very individualized with a high focus on your specific goals, uncovering your strengths and resources, and building on those to build the brain, and body connection, and restore your function.

Our philosophy of treatment is to understand you as a whole person, including body and brain connections, your environmental influences, and underlying musculoskeletal issues. We focus on restoring your autonomy and independent control so that you are empowered with the tools and resources for self-treatment.

We work very closely with your physician and multi-disciplinary care team to effectively collaborate and integrate the recommendation from your care team.

Goals

Our program aims to provide patients with the skills, knowledge, and behavioral changes necessary to:

Develop essential skills, knowledge, and behavioral strategies for managing your condition.
Take an active role in your physical and emotional well-being through effective coping strategies.
Attain optimal functional independence in your daily life.
Enhance your ability to engage in activities of daily living (ADLs) with confidence.

Outcomes

Empowering Symptom Insight: Develop the ability to comprehend symptoms and factors impacting their manifestation, resulting in improved confidence and autonomy in symptom management.

Taking Control through Coping: Transition the responsibility for overall well-being from healthcare professionals to the individual, fostering a sense of personal agency.

Rediscover Life's Engagements: Encourage gradual reintegration into daily activities, easing movement apprehension, and enhancing the perception of control.

Reclaiming a Fulfilling Life while Actively Navigating FND's Challenges.

Key Features

An initial 1:1 multi-system and functional assessment, goal setting and discussing individual treatment plan.

1:1 check-ins to assess functional status and overall response to the treatment.

Customized program designed for each patient’s particular problems and needs.

Access to ongoing support and resources after completing the program.

Access to resources, instructions of the recommended exercise routine.

Follow-up support and guidance to help you self-manage pain.

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To learn more about our services and how we can help you, schedule a free consultation call today.

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