The Brain-Gut Connection: How Your Brain and Gut Health are Intertwined
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Dr. Paul is a qualified concussion specialist for non life threatening concussions and will help you create and follow a well-articulated recovery plan based upon your symptoms, work or school schedule, age, and activity level among other factors.
Anyone can incur a brain injury due to a car accident, a fall, or any other activity. The risk is even higher if you engage in impact sports like football or boxing. Though most often not life-threatening, concussions may cause life altering symptoms that can respond favorably to advanced treatment at a functional neurologist’s office.
If you are not sure whether or not you have a concussion injury, it’s advisable that you see a doctor. And, if you have suffered multiple concussions, or a more serious blow to the head or the symptoms carry on far beyond a few days, then you should see a functional neurologist concussion specialist.
A concussion doctor is a certified health care provider trained in identifying, managing, and treating traumatic brain injury in patients. A concussion specialist can help patients create and abide by an effective recovery program based upon their symptoms, age, work or school schedule, activity level, and other factors. A suitable treatment and management plan may help speed up recovery and produce better results.
Some conditions or injuries like a bone fracture are diagnosed by taking an X Ray. Concussions are different in that they are a condition of physiological brain dysfunction and there is no one test with which doctors can diagnose a concussion. You can’t see a concussion on an MRI or in a blood test. While at the concussion center, the functional neurologist concussion specialist will typically perform any of the following in order to evaluate your condition.
The doctor will want to know about your concussion history: have you suffered head injuries before? If yes, how did they happen, and how was the recovery pattern. The evaluation may also include an exhaustive look at what kinds of symptoms you are having, what were the circumstances surrounding your injury, and what other medical conditions do you have that may contribute in one way or another to the symptoms you are having.
The concussion rehabilitation specialist will then perform a postural stability test (balance test) on the CAPS (Comprehensive Assessment of Postural Systems) unit which assesses sway patterns and the body’s center of pressure. This test takes about 20 minutes.
Then a cognitive test will be performed using the CNS Vital Signs platform. This neurocognitive test takes about 30 minutes.
Next a timing test will be done on the Interactive Metronome to see how well the brain is able to time physical movements with auditory and visual stimuli. This test takes about 20 minutes.
This will be followed by a complete neurological examination which evaluates general neurological function, cerebellar, vestibular system and oculomotor system (eye movement function) to see if any or all of these neurological brain areas are coordinating properly and how they may be triggering or aggravating symptoms. The exam usually lasts about 2 hours but may take longer depending on the patient’s abilities. Sometimes due to the severity of the concussion symptoms patients will have to do the exam in 2 separate visits.
At our head injury rehabilitation center, our treatments are embedded in the belief that our body and brain can get cured naturally using non-invasive treatment techniques and nutritional therapies.
Dr.Paul also can perform a Preparticipation concussion exam for your child before they start their specific sport. This can be used as a baseline for possible future concussions and return to play guidelines.
Have you been frustrated when googling a “concussion specialist near me?” Dr. Paul is your go-to head injury specialist in Lafayette, CO. Call him today for a free consultation!
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Brendan Wall2022-01-17I came to Dr. Austin after experiencing dizziness for 3+ months. I had seen several specialists and nothing was working to make me feel better. After a month working with Dr. Austin, I am no longer dizzy. He is not only a great chiropractor, but an excellent neurologist, and a holistic practitioner. I could not recommend him enough!Margaret Balhoff2021-03-20Dr. Austin is incredibly knowledgeable about neurology and the brain. He is quite specific in his assessment and able to prescribe targeted exercises to help improve vision and balance. Dr. Austin is enthusiastic and passionate about his work, and cares deeply about helping his patients lead healthier, more enjoyable lives! I recommend him to my concussion clients to help with their recovery.Phyllis Kretsch2021-03-08Dr Austin saw me on an emergency basis. I was in so much pain and he found time for me on short notice. He diagnosed my issue with precision and clarity and helped me understand what I needed to do going forward . In a very short time I felt so much better and was also helped toward future wellness.Stacey Phillips2021-02-08I’m not even sure where to begin when I talk about Dr. Paul. His wealth of knowledge and ability to treat difficult problems that have plagued people for years is truly astounding. I have heard countless stories of lives changed through his work. I went to Paul (I’m using his first name because we so quickly became friends) because I wanted to see what all of the amazing tools in his office could do and to see if he could help me with eye-hand coordination. I came away with so much more! He also helped me with balance, timing, memory, and pain. And those are just the things I’m aware of; I’m sure he helped me with other things that only my body knows. Paul takes the time to thoroughly test and figure out where your body needs help and then he gets right to work teaching your body how to function at its best. His work can help with countless struggles and ailments from traumatic brain injury to ADD and everything in between. We are all different and have very different needs. To learn how Dr. Paul can help you, his beautiful website is one place to start. However, a phone call and/or consultation in his office will open you up to his brilliance and caring heart.Phil Hendricks2020-08-21I first went to see Dr. Paul Austin about 10 years ago after trying my family MD to resolve very painful muscle spasms in my back without long-term success. They'd always come back intermittently. I was an admitted skeptic about chiropractors, but decided to try Dr. Austin on a friend's recommendation. The two words I can think of to describe my experience with treatment by Paul are "life changing". After following his prescribed exercises, along with his expert adjustments, I was pain free and have had no muscles spasms in my back for nearly 10 years. This summer I started having some pain in my neck and left arm. This time my family physician actually recommend that I try Dr. Austin again. After 5 treatments and some exercises, the pain is gone. No meds. No surgery. For me, the term "miracle worker" is not too strong in describing the value Dr. Austin has brought to improving my quality of life. Now I'm planning to stay on a regular tune-up regimen. I highly recommend Dr. Austin to anyone looking for pain relief, greater flexibility or other functional improvement, or any other aspect of improving how your body supports a better quality of life.Lisa Citarella2020-07-18Dr Paul Austin is an extremely caring and educated doctor. I love that he has experience in sport chiropractic and neurology. What a great combo! His level of professionalism is also outstanding. It is a pleasure to recommend such a highly qualified professional.Mandi Gutierrez2020-06-05Dr. Austin is absolutely incredible. He is extremely knowledgeable and cares 1000% about his clients. I have struggled with dizziness daily since October 2019 and after going doctor to doctor with zero real answers, I found Dr. Austin, who diagnosed me on my very first visit! Within two visits he adjusted me based on my diagnosis and the issue at hand, as well as taught me treatments and exercises that have immensely helped with being dizzy 24/7. I feel about 80-90% better and back to normal every day now! Thank you so much, Dr. Austin! I cannot recommend you and your practice enough.Jackie Nichols2020-06-03"The best there is, for me... Always friendly and really cares about your well being !Julia Munson2020-04-29I've known Dr. Austin for almost 20 years and can attest to what a brilliant practitioner he is. He is kind, warm, smart and so dedicated to his patients. He is a highly gifted chiropractor with the added benefit of understanding SO much about how our brains work. Over the years I've consulted him around nutrition, energy levels, sleep problems while also receiving top notch adjustments. He's a vital part of my healthcare team.Ivy Worsham2019-10-12Dr. Austin is my first phone call every time I have the opportunity to fly back home. I always feel ten times better walking out of his office then I did walking in. He has helped me with chronic neck, sinus, and herniated disc issues. I just wish he made house calls in different states! Thanks for keeping me functioning at my best, you're a life saver Dr. Austin!!
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