Chiropractic neurologist gives some patients another option

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Chiropractic neurologist gives some patients another option
April 13, 2007
By AARON NELSEN
The Brownsville Herald Online

Dr. Fili Talamantez waved an optic kinetic strip in front of Karen KlassenÌs eyes.

Dr. Talamantez is a chiropractic neurologist, and he was testing KlassenÌs eye reflexes using one of his simplest and most effective tools.

He was searching for clues that would tell him if parts of KlassenÌs brain werenÌt functioning properly.

A few months ago this simple red and white strip of cloth would have floored Klassen. Today, however, she can withstand several passes of the strip.

ÏDr. Talamantez has made such an incredible change in my life,Ó Klassen said. Ï(Doctors) actually told me that I probably would never walk again.Ó

Klassen, a registered nurse, sustained a work-related spinal cord injury four years ago that left her in a wheelchair and facing a lengthy recovery.

Once workersÌ compensation payments ended, Klassen was told to prepare for a life of headaches and discomfort.

With nothing left in the bank and nowhere to turn, KlassenÌs doctor pointed her to Talamantez.
Often overlooked, his field of medicine takes the chiropractic art and applies it to treating the nervous system functionally, rather than with medicine.

He is one of about 800 chiropractic neurologists worldwide, and the only doctor of his kind south of San Antonio.

But, the field is gaining momentum. According to the American Chiropractic Neurology Board the number of chiropractic neurologists has doubled in the last ten years.

ÏWeÌre like the last resort-type thing for mystery illnesses,Ó he said. Ï(Other doctors) tend to see the big stuff, but there is also everything in the middle.Ó

TalamantezÌs office is at 302 KingÌs Highway, on the backside of a strip of reddish-brown executive suites.

Much of his business is word of mouth, but he hopes that as the word spreads more people will consider his practice earlier in their diagnosis and treatment process.

Klassen is one of the doctorÌs biggest cheerleaders.

Despite working in the medical field for more than 20 years, Klassen knew little about chiropractic neurology before meeting Talamantez.

Like many of his patients, she sought treatment from him out of desperation. When other doctors had given up on treating her with traditional medicine, Talamantez helped Klassen run again.

A chiropractic neurologist gives treatments as a chiropractor as well as in the area of functional neurology, searching a patientÌs nervous system to determine if the patient has the potential to improve or even restore proper function to the nervous system.

Treatment is offered for a variety of ailments, including headaches, neck injuries, vertigo, balance disorders and strokes.

Talamantez, originally from Pecos, Texas, has been in Brownsville for 10 years, but in 2002 he entered the Carrick Institute for Graduate Studies to study clinical neurology.

He admits that his practice isnÌt for everyone. There are certain physical ailments he is able to treat.

But physiology is another matter, and the biggest difference is found in the smallest things, Talamantez explained.

By looking at KlassenÌs eyes, for example, Dr. Talamantez can often determine inconsistencies between the sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous system.

Another doctor might consider a small difference in pupil dilation normal, but chiropractic neurologists would consider it abnormal.

Talamantez sees elements of his practice slowly catching on in the mainstream, and says the science behind chiropractic neurology could eventually be folded into the medical field.

ÏLots of people think this is the wave of the future,Ó he said. ÏThe general public is tired of taking medication, and we want people to know there are other options out there.Ó