Dr. Frederick (Ted) Carrick is recognized as the founder of functional neurology, with nearly five decades of research and clinical practice. He established the Carrick Institute for Graduate Studies, offering more than 100 courses and a master’s degree in clinical neuroscience, with a global presence in 13 countries.

With about 100 peer-reviewed, published studies to his credit, Carrick is a senior research fellow at the Centre for Mental Health Research in association with the University of Cambridge, in the UK. He is a full professor of neurology at the University of Central Florida College of Medicine and an adjunct professor at the MGH Institute of Health Professions, in Boston.

His work has been featured in print and television, including PBS and ABC News Nightline documentaries. Carrick holds a doctor of chiropractic degree from Canadian Memorial Chiropractic College, a Ph.D. in education from Walden University and a master of science in health professions education from both the Harvard Macy Institute and MGH Institute of Health Professions. He remains dedicated to patient care, offering in-person and virtual consultations worldwide.

 

What is functional neurology?

It is an evidence-based, multi-disciplinary approach that enhances human function through the nervous system, regardless of diseases or disorders. My rehabilitation protocols focus on movement of the head, neck, trunk, extremities and eyes to activate different areas of the nervous system and restore function. These protocols are applied only after a comprehensive neurological examination and testing.

 

How does this treatment work?

Intentionally moving your right arm is a consequence of the interaction of your brain, spinal cord, peripheral nerves, muscles and joints. When you move your arm, muscle and joint receptors provide feedback to the brain, while the brain sends motor commands in a feedforward mechanism. The brain also sends out what we call efferent copies of that motor command to other areas of the body, such as the core muscles or the back, to steady yourself so that the lever forces of the arm don’t hurt your back.

Functional neurologists work to increase muscle activity when there is weakness and to reduce muscle activation when it is excessive, as in seizures, epilepsy, dystonia and movement disorders. They also treat neurodegenerative syndromes, memory problems, concussions and neurological issues related to digestion.

 

What kinds of research are you and your team involved with?

We are identifying diagnostic biomarkers. Our recent study of eye movements in 27,000 concussion patients that were divided by sex revealed significant differences between men and women. This is important because previous research focused solely on males. We now understand that women with brain injuries exhibit eye movement similar to normal males, leading to missed diagnoses because those biomarkers were misinterpreted as normal. We are actively investigating biomarkers specific to sex, age and race across various diseases to accurately identify pathology and assess treatment effectiveness.

 

Are you also developing standardized treatment protocols?

We tailor treatments to individual neurological conditions, recognizing that some patients may need different approaches. Biomarkers help us assess the effectiveness of interventions. For instance, a person with a memory disorder might benefit from regular walking, but if osteoarthritic knees and balance issues are present, we might suggest arm exercises instead. Understanding the nervous system allows us to provide the best care for each patient, avoiding cookie-cutter solutions.

 

Can you explain your work with Parkinson’s disease?

Parkinson’s is one of the top two neurodegenerative disorders, Alzheimer’s being number one, but it is the most common neurodegenerative motor disease, and it is associated with cognitive disorders. Despite significant investments in trials, no effective new drug or supplement has emerged in over 50 years. Levodopa helps, but it has side effects such as unwanted movement disorders. Environmental pollutants are linked to both Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s, so city dwellers with high car exhaust exposure may fare worse than those in less polluted areas.

Two years ago, my team at the University of Central Florida successfully improved Parkinson’s in a mouse model using a novel far-infrared ceramic blanket therapy. While we haven’t done the same study on humans yet, favorable reports are emerging from people using these treatments.

Parkinson’s is a 30-year disease, with symptoms often absent for 15 years before diagnosis. Initial signs include loss of smell, constipation, restless legs or sleep issues, progressing to gait changes and tremors. As the disease spreads in the brain, dementia follows—a severe outcome. Therefore, it takes time to assess the long-term impact of treatments.

 

What are your recommendations for people with Alzheimer’s disease?

Fixing cataracts and using a hearing aid for hearing loss are key preventative measures. Drinking less than 21 units of alcohol weekly can reduce dementia risk, but abstaining is ideal. Avoid smoking, maintain social connections and walk 7,000 steps daily. We now have 14 lifestyle changes to prevent dementia or even improve it, although this is very challenging.

 

What tactics do you employ to improve function?

The Carrick Institute is renowned for therapies that enhance the performance of professional athletes and Olympians, not just in injury recovery, but also in functional improvement. For elite runners, we boost race speed with tailored eye exercises developed over four decades, including fast and slow eye movements in different directions, focusing on individual nervous system needs. Using this technology, we can increase the speed of swimmers, improve the agility of skiers, increase the number of baskets a person can make and the list goes on.

Beyond athletes, our methods can help the average person walk better and safer by addressing falls, a leading cause of accidental death. We’ve developed movement strategies to enhance balance and stance using advanced tools to measure various factors. For instance, in Parkinson’s patients, we address postural misalignment by improving visual feedback. Our expertise in balance, gait and running parameters is well-established, with extensive published research.

 

What other treatments do you employ besides eye exercises?

Eye and head movements are central to what we do, but they are usually not done in isolation of other things. For a balance exercise, we might use a pole like a tightrope walker’s. We adjust arm swing ratios, foot placement and hip rotation. Additionally, we employ electrical stimulation and physical therapy, which are beneficial for stroke survivors.

 

How does a functional neurologist develop a successful, individualized treatment?

The Carrick Institute is the world leader in this, having trained about 20,000 people worldwide. While some excel more than others, our expertise in clinical methods is renowned. Society’s reliance on technology has diminished personal skills, and while AI is a great thing, it can’t replace human integrity and individualized observation. Many practitioners treat you based solely on blood or tissue samples, rather than on the wholeness of who you are. That takes years of training, and the Carrick Institute is pretty magical in this area. Our talented faculty ensures that all skills are teachable.

 

Some practitioners are uncannily adept at healing. Is that healing mojo trainable?

Practitioners must be empathic and love humankind. I believe we can train people to be empathic. I usually have a few hundred doctors watch me while I’m treating patients, and when they see someone who couldn’t speak start to speak and see their family members cry, it awakens their empathic reserve, highlighting the need for caring, nurturing and a desire to learn.

At the Carrick Institute, we incorporate art interpretation in our coursework to improve observational skills, but some people seem to be able to grow a flower on a rock, while others can’t do it in a soil-rich environment. We hope that we can develop our doctors to be those miracle practitioners. Practitioners must remain grounded and humble, acknowledging their limitations and that you can always learn to do it better.

 

What do you say to those that are skeptical of your methods?

Skepticism is good, and I am a major skeptic. We are so busy serving humankind that the skeptics have never bothered me. The tall trees catch the wind, and we’re getting blown up there. Sometimes the things we do appear to be magical. Every week, I have people that have not been able to walk unassisted for years get out of a wheelchair, and people think it’s a miracle, but it’s not because I see it all the time. It’s something that we expect.

 

Are these positive results long-lasting?

Our goal is to make patients autonomous so they don’t have to come back to see us. We give patients lifestyle changes, exercises and regimens that they can do on their own. Those who adhere to these strategies generally do well long-term. However, many people stop exercising and start getting symptoms again, so they have to come back in.

Additionally, as we age, we experience neurodegenerative changes. At 80, we’re unable to remember things as well as at 20, be as flexible as at 15, or run as fast as at 19. Our approach is highly effective for long-term improvements, acknowledging the natural decline with age. We aim to minimize recidivism and empower people to be self-sufficient.

 

Who should consult with a specialist in functional neurology?

Conditions that have symptoms typically bring a patient to the functional neurologist. If severe migraines disrupt your daily tasks, if you struggle with basic activities like using a knife and fork to cut your food, or if your head injury affects your vision or memory, consult a functional neurologist. However, many neurological conditions do not have recognizable symptoms but still need to be addressed. I think everyone should visit a functional neurologist annually to ensure optimal functioning. Many discover imbalances, such as uneven hand movement or poor memory.

We treat all ages. Many younger patients are suffering from accidents like motorcycle falls or sports injuries, while older patients face neurodegenerative issues. We also assist kids with learning and developmental challenges.

 

What should people look for in a functional neurology practitioner?

They should be board-certified by an accredited, independent credentialing agency, which gives them the stamp that they’ve achieved a high level of skill and are keeping up their skills year-to-year. If you call the Carrick Institute, we can refer you to one of the 20,000 alumni that we have trained in multiple disciplines, including surgeons, chiropractors, physical therapists, occupational therapists and others.

 

Sandra Yeyati is the national editor of Natural Awakenings.

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