What Is a Functional Neurological Disorder?

At first glance, you might think something’s physically wrong—maybe with your muscles or nerves. But in a Functional Neurological Disorder (FND), the structure of your brain appears normal. The issue lies in how the brain functions—how it sends and receives signals from the body. That disruption can cause very real symptoms.

At Plasticity Brain Centers, we specialize in helping the brain re-establish those connections using advanced, non-invasive therapies grounded in neuroplasticity.

Why Functional Neurological Disorders Matter?

• Symptoms are real and often disabling: They may include tremors, weakness, loss of balance, cognitive fog, seizures, vision changes, or speech difficulty.

• Not visible on standard tests: MRIs or CT scans may show no damage, but brain signaling is still disrupted.

• Affects lives deeply: Patients are often misdiagnosed or misunderstood. But FND is a legitimate and treatable condition.

What Causes a Functional Neurological Disorder?

• Neurological misfiring: FND is believed to involve problems in how the brain communicates with the body, rather than structural brain damage.

• Trigger events: These can include concussion, infection, trauma, stress, or illness.

• No single cause: It often results from a combination of physical, psychological, and environmental factors.

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Common Functional Neurological Disorder Symptoms

• Sudden muscle weakness or temporary paralysis

• Tremors or abnormal movements

• Non-epileptic seizures or fainting spells

• Vision loss, double vision, or dizziness

• Brain fog, memory trouble, or difficulty concentrating

• Speech and swallowing difficulties

• Fatigue or sensory changes (numbness, tingling)

These symptoms can appear unexpectedly and fluctuate over time. Importantly, they are not under conscious control—but they are treatable.

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How Functional Neurological Disorders Are Diagnosed

FND is diagnosed through clinical evaluation, not just by ruling out other conditions. Neurologists often detect specific signs, like variable weakness or unusual movement patterns that suggest a functional origin.

At Plasticity Brain Centers, we go deeper with a comprehensive functional brain performance evaluation, including:

• Eye movement tracking

• Balance and postural analysis

• Cognitive and reaction time testing

• Neurological reflex screening

These insights help us tailor a personalized treatment plan for each patient.

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How Plasticity Brain Centers Treats Functional Neurological Disorders

We believe the brain can change—and improve—through targeted stimulation. Our approach is non-invasive, drug-free, and entirely individualized.

Here’s how we do it:

1. Assessment

Your journey begins with an in-depth, three-hour functional neurology evaluation using cutting-edge diagnostics.

2. Customized Care Plan

Each treatment plan is built around your unique brain–body profile. We use neuroplasticity-based therapies like:

• Vestibular rehabilitation – to reprogram balance and spatial orientation

• Sensorimotor integration exercises – to restore muscle–brain communication

• Cognitive-motor retraining – to improve focus, memory, and coordination

• Photobiomodulation therapy (PBM) – using light to support neuronal recovery

• Visual-motor timing tools like Dynavision – to improve hand-eye coordination

• Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy (HBOT) – to optimize brain healing in some cases

3. Home Program & Follow-Up

We provide personalized tools and exercises for continued progress at home, along with follow-ups to track gains and make adjustments.

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Hope for Functional Neurological Disorders

If you’ve been told “everything looks normal” but you still don’t feel right, you’re not alone—and you’re not imagining it. At Plasticity Brain Centers, we see you. We listen. And we work with you to retrain your brain—because we believe it’s never too late for your brain to change for the better.