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Issue: 7
July 2009
Special July Savings from The Conde Center for Chiropractic Neurology
Greetings!
 
The Conde Center is currently running a summer Massage Special!  If you buy four hours of massages, you'll get one hour free!
 
Everyday Rate:
Half Hour Massage -  $40
1 Hour Massage    -   $70
 
Massage Deal      -   $280 for Five Hours!
                                That's just $56 per hour!
 
A one hour massage at a spa can run anywhere from $90 to $130 dollars.  Even at $90, five hours of massages would be $450 - the savings with our massage deal are easy to see!  Best of all our massage therapist, Barbara, has ten years of experience as a masseuse and works with Dr. Conde to determine what style of massage would work the best for you!  Call today to take advantage of this offer!
 
Ab CrunchesFunctional Lesion:
What is it?
Do I have it?
How is it treated?
 
    Quite often, patients visit our office with very unique neurological and musculoskeletal symptoms.  They are frustrated because they have visited the top neurological clinics in the country only to be told that there tests are negative and that they cannot be given a definitive diagnosis.  New, cutting edge research is shedding some light on these "phantom" neurological conditions.
     The term functional lesion applies to an area within the central nervous system where the cells are not functioning to their full capacity.  When it is applied to one hemisphere of the brain we utilize the term hemisphericity, which essentially means that one side of the brain is under-functioning.  Research tells us that the brain is lateralized or specialized for certain functions.  For example, the left hemisphere is more of a literal brain and is typically the dominant center for language.  The right hemisphere is more of an abstract brain and is more specialized for social interaction and visuo-spatial knowledge.  The cerebellum region of the brain is responsible for smooth and coordinated movement, balance, and for initiating thought.  An area of the brain stem termed the midbrain is responsible largely for abating pain.  If any of these regions become dysfunctional the symptoms will express themselves according to the affected area.  Now, what does all of this mean to your health?  Many neurological symptoms such as dizziness-balance disorders, pain, weakness, numbness-tingling, focusing difficulties, involuntary movement, and twitching may be a manifestation of functional lesions in very precise regions of the brain. 
     After an extensive neurological and orthopedic evaluation excluding organic causes of these symptoms such as a tumor or metabolic disease, a detailed plan of action will be created to address these dysfunctional regions of the brain utilizing "brain-based" therapies.  The goal is to bring about stability in the specific area involved through the use of oxygen, nutrition, and most importantly activation.  Modalities such as light, sound, smell, balance challenges, oculomotor exercises, vestibular exercises, postural exercises, hemi-filed computer applications, and chiropractic adjustments are utilized unilaterally (one sided) to address the functional lesion.
     Take this fun quiz to see if you have generalized brain dominance and visit our office for a more extensive look into your nervous system and your "phantom" symptoms.
 
Note all that apply to you:
 

I prefer rock or rap music.

I am very analytical.

I often miss the gist of the story or I am the last to get a joke.

Which of the following mostly describes your strengths?

       Solving math problems
       Outdoor and athletic abilities
       Conceptualizing and creating

I love crossword puzzles.

I can recognize faces but not names of people.

What was your favorite subject in high school?

       Calculus
       Computer lab
       Literature
       Art/speech/theatre

What is your approach to problem solving?

       Look at all the facts and analyze the  situation for a solution
       Use instincts and imagination to find a solution

Which learning environment suits you best?

        I like visual instruction with plenty of examples
        I prefer detailed, verbal instruction

I have difficulty seeing patterns in things.

I tend to write very large.

In what type of environment are you most productive?

        Outdoors
        An open office, surrounded by co-workers
        A quiet, private office
        At home, on my own schedule

Question of the Month:
What is brain-based rehabilitation?
With the explosion in brain-based research in the 20th and 21st centuries we now know that the brain is plastic or modifiable (capable of change) at any age. We also have come to understand that the nervous system has supreme control over the musculoskeletal system as well as the organ systems in a precise manner. Specific parts of the brain are responsible for the well being of certain regions of the body. Dysfunction in a particular brain region will then manifest itself in symptoms in the associated body areas. For example, an under-functioning cerebellum region of the brain may produce signs and symptoms related to neck pain due to the intimate control of tiny postural muscles in the neck. With brain-based rehabilitation the chiropractic neurologist will not only manually treat the area in question itself with physical medicine but will also "exercise" the deficient region of the brain to normalize function. Since the brain is plastic, with appropriate treatment it can attain optimum wellness. Treatments may entail specific types of eye movement exercises (known as "oculomotor rehabilitation"), balancing activities, oxygen supplementation, rotary activation (chair spins), eccentric fast stretching, cross cord mechanisms, therapeutic use of light, therapeutic use of sound, therapeutic use of smell, and physical activities using one side of the body.
 

mitochondrialSupplement of the Month:

Mitochondrial Resuscitate

Mitochondrial Resuscitate is a formula designed to support mitochondrial function, especially under circumstances of oxidative stress. Less than optimal mitochondrial function may result in alterations in nervous, immune, cardiac, and muscular function. Mitochondrial Resuscitate is composed of nutrients that help support mitochondrial energy production through their participation in membrane transport, Krebs cycle activity, oxidative phosphorylation, electron transport chain energetics, and redox balance.

Patient Benefits:
 May reduce fatigue resulting from low energy production
 May support mitochondria energy production related to
nutrient insufficiency
 May relieve muscle soreness associated with low energy
 Supports the nervous system and promotes cellular health

Recipe of the Month:
Worcestershire Turkey Burgers
Turkey burgers can be a healthy alternative to hamburgers, but they can easily lack flavor. This is a recipe that makes what is traditionally a dry, flavorless burger into a delicious meal you will want to serve again and again.

There are usually two options when buying ground turkey. Turkey breast is 99 percent fat free, but has little flavor. Then there is ground turkey that includes some dark meat and skin, but can easily contain just as much fat as ground beef. Most of the time it is best to purchase both and create a mixture of 75 percent breast meat and 25 percent dark meat. This gives the burger nice balance and moisture.
  
Ab Crunches
 
Click on the Picture for the Recipe!
Brain Teaser of the Month:
 
bath tub
It doesn't hurt to take a hard look at yourself from time to time. This little test should help you get started.

During a visit to a mental asylum, a visitor asked the Director what the criteria is that defines if a patient should be institutionalized.

"Well," said the Director, "we fill up a bathtub. Then we offer a teaspoon, a teacup, and a bucket to the patient and ask the patient to empty the bathtub."

Okay, here's your test:
1. Would you use the spoon?
2. Would you use the teacup?
3. Would you use the bucket?

"Oh, I understand," said the visitor. "A normal person would choose the bucket, as it is larger than the spoon."
What was the director's response?
 
Answer:
"No," answered the Director. "A normal person would pull the plug."
Contact Us:
Dr. John Conde is a Board Certified Chiropractic Neurologist.  He holds diplomate status through the American Chiropractic Neurology Board.  His office is located at the Atlantic Grove in Delray Beach, Florida.  For more information, or to make an appointment, please contact 561-330-6096  or [email protected].
I hope you've enjoyed the additions to this month's newsletter!  If you have any questions, you can reach the clinic at the phone number above or at our website: www.thecondecenter.com
Sincerely,
 
Conde Signature
John Conde DC DACNB
The Conde Center for Chiropractic Neurology