Neurological Conditions

When you choose Virginia Spine Institute you can expect to experience best in class concussion care. Our comprehensive model includes a neurological evaluation combined with in-house specialized concussion therapy. Under the care of our neurologist Dr. Sommer Ebdlahad (a Credentialed ImPACT Consultant) you will first be evaluated for all potential symptoms as a result of a concussion. From there he will specifically target the areas of impact and begin to devise a custom treatment plan to include concussion-specialized physical therapy.

Migraine is the sixth most disabling illness worldwide, affecting nearly 40 million Americans and approximately one in every four households. More than just a headache, a migraine is a complex neurological disorder. It not only causes pain, but it can also result in light and sound sensitivity, vision changes, difficulty concentrating, nausea, vomiting, and other neurological symptoms.

To understand neuropathy, think of the nerves in your arms and legs as electric cords connecting your extremities to your spinal cord. Not only do they carry sensation from the arms and legs to the spinal cord, but they also carry directions on how to move from brain and spinal cord to your muscles. Just like electric cords, the nerves have a wire in the center and insulation around the wire, both of which are needed to transmit the signals. Neuropathy is when damage occurs to these electric cords, whether to the wire, the insulation, or both.

The brain has many nerve cells that communicate via electric impulses. A seizure results when an abnormal surge of electric activity causes our awareness of the world around us to “crash,” just like a computer. A “crash” for our brain may lead to loss of consciousness. Additionally, the surge of electric impulses may activate brain cells that should not be activated, leading to abnormal actions in parts of our body such as convulsions, tongue biting, and loss of bowel or bladder control.

A skilled neurologist can usually differentiate an essential tremor from a more serious cause of tremor such as Parkinson disease on the basis of history and physical examination. Therefore, if you notice a tremor, it is important to have a neurologist assess it. Essential tremor, while not a life-threatening condition, can interfere with your ability to do anything with the body parts involved.