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Functional Neurology

Functional Neurology vs. Medical Neurology

What’s the difference — and which one is right for what you’re dealing with?

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If you’ve been told your MRI is normal but you still don’t feel right, you’ve run into the gap between structure and function. Medical neurology is exceptional at finding disease and damage. Functional neurology asks a different question: how well is your nervous system actually working?

What functional neurology is

Functional neurology is a drug-free, hands-on approach to the nervous system, practiced here by chiropractic physicians. We assess how the brain and body are communicating and use precise, targeted care — including upper cervical correction — to help that communication work better. It’s often a fit for chronic, hard-to-label problems: migraines, vertigo and dizziness, POTS and dysautonomia, post-concussion symptoms, and brain fog.

How it differs from medical neurology

A medical neurologist is an MD who diagnoses and treats neurological disease, frequently using imaging and medication. We are chiropractic physicians (DC) practicing functional neurology — we are not medical neurologists, and we don’t replace them. When a patient needs medical work-up or medication, we say so and coordinate care. The two approaches answer different questions, and for many people they work best together.

Who we help

At Cerebral, Dr. Chris Slininger (DC, DCCJP) and our team focus on the upper neck and functional neurology for patients across Tampa Bay. If you’ve been everywhere and still don’t have answers, this may be the piece that’s been missing.

Common Questions

Functional neurology — common questions

Is a chiropractic functional neurologist a medical neurologist?

No. We are chiropractic physicians (DC) who practice functional neurology — a drug-free, hands-on approach focused on how the nervous system is functioning. We are not medical neurologists (MDs), and we co-manage or refer to medical specialists when that’s what a patient needs.

What is functional neurology?

Functional neurology looks at how well the brain and nervous system are working — not just whether a scan shows damage. It’s often a fit for people whose imaging is “normal” but who still have real symptoms like migraines, dizziness, POTS, or brain fog.

When should I see functional neurology vs. medical neurology?

Medical neurology diagnoses and treats disease and structural pathology, often with imaging and medication. Functional neurology and upper cervical care focus on optimizing function and addressing root causes without drugs. Many patients use both, and we’re glad to work alongside your medical team.

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