Frequently Asked Questions
A functional neurologist is a healthcare practitioner who treats various brain injuries without the use of medication. While a medical neurologist can be valuable in the diagnosis of severe neurologic disease, to prescribe life-saving medications, and to refer out to neurosurgery, a functional neurologist serves to diagnose and treat chronic neurological conditions like POTS, Dysautonomia, chronic pain, migraines, FND, dizziness, post-concussion syndrome, and many other brain injuries.
Medication can be incredibly valuable for specific neuro conditions (i.e. role of L-Dopa for Parkinson's). However, a synthetic chemical doesn't always address the root cause of neurologic dysfunction (like a beta blocker for decreasing POTS symptoms). This is where a functional neurologist comes in to fill the gap. A functional neurologist uses their knowledge of neural connectivity to retrain the brain to process information more efficiently and create permanent improvements in your brain health.
What is a Functional Neurologist?
Dr Hannah is licensed as a chiropractic physician but went on to be board certified as a chiropractic neurologist through the American Chiropractic Neurology Board (ACNB). This enables her to diagnose and treat a wide spectrum of neurologic conditions and brain injuries. She can order labs and imaging, prescribe supplements, perform hands on manual therapies, and administer neurorehabilitation exercises. Nonetheless, she understands there are some conditions beyond her scope and refers out/ co manages when necessary.
Dr Hannah does not accept insurance at this time. She is happy to give you a superbill at your request. Generally, the cost of care is dictated by the treatment modalities utilized. Dr Hannah will give you an estimate of the exam and treatment fees at the time of your initial consult.
Does Dr Hannah accept insurance?
How long should I stay feeling good after I finish Treatment?
The aim of treatment is to change how your brain is processing information. Once new neuronal connections have formed and your symptoms are reduced, the changes should stick and you should stay feeling good. Sometimes a new head injury (like a concussion) or major illness can trigger symptoms once again. If this occurs, patients usually return for a quick tune up and change to their at home plan. Typically, these new symptoms then resolve shortly.
How will I feel after treatment each day?
My hope is to help you feel a little better each day at the end of treatment. My aim is to send blood flow to the propper brain areas that need a little assistance, and for that reason, patients typically report feeling good. If for some reason a patient feels worse (ie. fatigued, headachy, nauseaus, etc, then that is definitely something to communicate to me. It might meant that we did a little more than your brain/ body could handle for that given day. That just means I will do a little less at your next appointment to help you feel good moving forward.
Everyone will progress through the treatment plan at different rates. On average, by patients report feeling 50-60% better in the initial treatment plan, with the objective of feeling 80-100% better by the end of their second treatment plan. Some patients feel great after their intial treatment plan and do not need a second round. Others take a little longer to see changes and it might take a bit longer. Clear expectations will be communicated after the initial evaluation about session frequency and timeline for healing.
How much improvement is realistic in a treatment plan?
How will I know if i am a good fit for your clinic?
The first step is to schedule a free consult with me to learn a bit more about your symptoms and to make sure your condition is something I can help with. If I believe I can help based on the phone consult, the next step is to schedule an initial evaluation with me. The initial eval will serve a few different pursposes. 1) to make sure there are objective findings correlating with your chief complaint and 2) make sure those findings are things I think I can improve in my clinic. If I answer yes to those two questions, then I will likely recommend treatment with me.
I will never make guarantees or false promises. I do not want to fail you. If for some reason, I believe that I am not the right fit for you, I will communicate this directly and helpf you figure out a plan B. What I can guarantee is that I care and will do everything within my power to help you.