Leopold Chiropractic

Leopold Chiropractic Chiropractic Sports Medicine for Everyone.

06/17/2026

Why Do We Describe Mental Qualities with Physical Words?

Think about the words we use every day:

Grounded
Balanced
Strong Willed
Mentally Flexible

Or conversely:

Rigid
Shaken
Unstable
A Push-over

It’s interesting that many of our descriptions of mental and emotional qualities come from the body.

This isn’t just a coincidence.

The brain develops our sense of self through the body. Long before children can reason, analyze, or talk about emotions, their brains are learning through movement, balance, posture, coordination, and sensory experience.

In pediatric functional neurology, we recognize that the systems responsible for physical balance, body awareness, and movement are deeply connected to attention, emotional regulation, resilience, confidence, and social engagement.

A child who feels physically unstable may also struggle to feel emotionally stable.

A child whose nervous system has difficulty organizing sensory information may appear distracted, anxious, impulsive, or overwhelmed.

When we help a child’s brain better process movement, balance, sensory input, and body awareness, we often see changes that extend far beyond physical performance. Parents may notice improved focus, calmer emotions, greater confidence, and better self-regulation.

The ancient wisdom embedded in our language may have understood something modern neuroscience is now confirming:

The body and brain develop together, and when we support one, we often support the other.

06/15/2026

The startle reflex is far more than a reaction to a loud noise—it is a powerful survival program that can shape posture, movement, hormones, emotions, and overall health.

When the startle reflex remains chronically activated, the body often recruits the sternocleidomastoid (SCM) and upper trapezius muscles as part of a protective strategy. Over time, this can create a cascade of effects throughout the nervous and endocrine systems:

• Increased SCM and upper trap tension
• Forward head posture and altered breathing mechanics
• Heightened sympathetic (“fight or flight”) activity
• Reduced vagal tone and parasympathetic regulation
• Increased cortisol and stress hormone output
• Greater activation of the HPA axis (hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal system)
• Sleep disruption and reduced recovery capacity
• Increased anxiety, hypervigilance, and sensory sensitivity
• Changes in eye movement, balance, and vestibular function
• Reduced neck mobility and altered proprioceptive input to the brain
• Increased muscle guarding throughout the body
• Potential effects on digestion, immune function, and metabolic regulation

The neck is not just a mechanical structure—it is a neurological gateway. Chronic tension in the SCMs and upper traps may be a sign that the brain is operating from a protective state rather than a regulated one.

Addressing the underlying neurological drivers of the startle response can help restore better movement, breathing, autonomic regulation, and resilience.

StressResponse

The handwriting wasn’t the goal. It was the clue.This 7-year-old initially came to our office with challenges related to...
06/13/2026

The handwriting wasn’t the goal. It was the clue.

This 7-year-old initially came to our office with challenges related to motor coordination, emotional regulation, and nervous system regulation.

Parents described a child who was often “stuck in fight-or-flight,” struggled with motor skills, and had difficulty accessing their full potential both physically and emotionally.

Over the course of just four visits, we worked on neurological function using a combination of primitive reflex integration, manual therapy, and laser therapy.

Then something unexpected showed up.

The writing sample on the left was completed before care. The sample on the right was completed after only four sessions.

Not only is the handwriting more organized, but the child is expressing more complex thoughts, writing more independently, and demonstrating improved planning and ex*****on.

Why would a child’s writing change when we’re working on motor skills and nervous system regulation?

Because writing is not just an academic skill. It requires the integration of multiple neurological systems including:

• Postural control
• Motor planning
• Coordination
• Visual processing
• Attention
• Emotional regulation
• Executive function

When the nervous system becomes more regulated and organized, improvements often appear in places we weren’t directly targeting.

The handwriting wasn’t the treatment goal.

It was evidence that the brain and body were functioning differently.

One of the most rewarding parts of this work is watching children gain access to abilities that were there all along—once their nervous system has the support it needs.

Shared with parent permission. Individual results vary.

When a child’s nervous system comes out of survival mode, learning often takes care of itself.The handwriting wasn’t the...
06/13/2026

When a child’s nervous system comes out of survival mode, learning often takes care of itself.

The handwriting wasn’t the goal. It was the clue.

This 7-year-old initially came to our office with challenges related to motor coordination, emotional regulation, and nervous system regulation.

Parents described a child who was often “stuck in fight-or-flight,” struggled with motor skills, and had difficulty accessing their full potential both physically and emotionally.

Over the course of just four visits, we worked on neurological function using a combination of primitive reflex integration, manual therapy, and laser therapy.

Then something unexpected showed up.

The writing sample on the left was completed before care. The sample on the right was completed after only four sessions.

Not only is the handwriting more organized, but the child is expressing more complex thoughts, writing more independently, and demonstrating improved planning and ex*****on.

Why would a child’s writing change when we’re working on motor skills and nervous system regulation?

Because writing is not just an academic skill. It requires the integration of multiple neurological systems including:

• Postural control
• Motor planning
• Coordination
• Visual processing
• Attention
• Emotional regulation
• Executive function

When the nervous system becomes more regulated and organized, improvements often appear in places we weren’t directly targeting.

The handwriting wasn’t the treatment goal.

It was evidence that the brain and body were functioning differently.

One of the most rewarding parts of this work is watching children gain access to abilities that were there all along—once their nervous system has the support it needs.

Shared with parent permission. Individual results vary.

06/10/2026

🧠 Binasal Occlusion for Post-Concussion Syndrome
Many people struggling with post-concussion syndrome experience symptoms such as dizziness, headaches, visual motion sensitivity, brain fog, difficulty concentrating, and feeling overwhelmed in busy environments.
One lesser-known tool that may help some individuals is binasal occlusion—small opaque strips placed on the nasal side of eyeglass lenses. By subtly altering visual input, binasal occlusion may reduce visual stress and improve the brain’s ability to process incoming information more efficiently.
For certain patients, this simple intervention can lead to improvements in:
✅ Balance and stability
✅ Visual comfort
✅ Reading endurance
✅ Motion sensitivity
✅ Cognitive performance
While not appropriate for everyone, binasal occlusion can be a valuable part of a comprehensive neurorehabilitation approach when prescribed based on a thorough examination.
If you’ve been dealing with lingering concussion symptoms, a functional neurological and visual assessment may uncover solutions that traditional approaches often miss.

06/09/2026

🧠 The Parietal Lobe: Your Brain’s GPS System

The parietal lobe helps you understand where your body is in space, integrate sensory information, coordinate movement, and maintain attention. Dysfunction may contribute to balance problems, poor coordination, difficulty with spatial awareness, sensory processing challenges, and even chronic pain.

In functional neurology, we assess and train specific brain networks to support optimal parietal lobe function.

06/06/2026

Did you know that specific colors of light can influence brain activity?

In Functional Neurology, colored light therapy is sometimes used as a tool to stimulate different neural pathways. Light entering the eyes doesn’t just help us see—it also sends signals to areas of the brain involved in attention, movement, balance, mood, and autonomic function.

By carefully selecting colors and applying them as part of a comprehensive neurological rehabilitation program, we may be able to help support brain function, improve sensory processing, and enhance neuroplasticity—the brain’s ability to adapt and change.

Colored light is never a standalone treatment, but when combined with other targeted therapies, it can be a powerful way to engage the nervous system and encourage positive neurological change.

🧠 The brain is constantly responding to sensory input. Sometimes, the right stimulus at the right time can make all the difference.

06/04/2026

Functional Asymmetry of the Brainstem: Why One Side Matters More Than You Think

The brainstem isn’t simply a relay station between the brain and body. Functional asymmetries within the brainstem can influence posture, balance, eye movements, autonomic regulation, sensory processing, and even emotional resilience.

When one side of the brainstem is underperforming relative to the other, the nervous system may compensate in ways that contribute to:
✅ Chronic pain
✅ Dizziness or balance problems
✅ Visual disturbances
✅ Postural asymmetries
✅ Cognitive fatigue
✅ Dysautonomia

Through a functional neurological examination, we can identify these patterns and develop targeted interventions designed to improve nervous system integration and adaptability.

The goal isn’t simply symptom management—it’s optimizing brain function.

06/04/2026

The cerebellum—the “little brain” at the back of your head—is responsible for coordination, timing, balance, precision, and motor learning. Every toss and catch requires your brain to predict movement, track objects through space, coordinate both sides of the body, and make rapid corrections in real time.

Research has shown that learning to juggle can actually create measurable changes in the brain, strengthening connections involved in visual-motor integration and neuroplasticity.

Play is the secret sauce to effective neuroplastic change.

06/03/2026

You can modulate neurotransmitters using precursors and cofactors!

Choline is the learning and memory neurotransmitter.
Dopamine helps with focus and goal directed work.
Seratonin creates positive mood.
GABA creates calm focus.

These can be used to gently help a nervous system out of balance, without dramatically tipping the scales using seriously-brain-chemistry-altering pharmaceuticals.

Of course, pharmacy may be needed. But these conservative strategies are often enough to significantly improve function.





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6330 Telegraph Avenue
Oakland, CA
94609

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+15106016330

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