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© Dr Robyn Leeder and Dr Kathleen Lawson
Table of Contents
Foreword Professor F R Carrick DC, PhD, DACAN,
DABCN, DACNB, DAAPM, FRCPN, FACCN,
FAAFN, FEAC(Neurology), FACFN, FABVR,
FABES, FABCDD, FICC.
Acknowledgments
Introduction Dr Robyn Leeder and Dr Kathleen Lawson
Chapter 1 Where Did I Come From?
How does your brain grow and develop? What are
all the bits for? What happens when things go wrong?
What drives your behaviour?
Chapter 2 Why should I improve my brain?
We look at the statistics relevant to brain disorders,
and outline the practical benefits of looking after your
brain. Then we show you the steps towards building
a better brain, on your own terms.
Chapter 3 Busting the Myths.
We look at some of the common ‘myths’ about brain
function, learning, and brain injury, and show you
why they aren’t true.
Chapter 4 The Modern World.
We explore how the modern world may be contributing
to the problems and challenges we see in society as
poor brain health and ‘brain disconnection issues’.
Chapter 5 Requirements of a healthy brain.
What exactly does your brain need in order for it
to be healthy? We list the most important factors
AND show you how to get them.
“Your Brain, Your Life”—
iv Make It What YOU Want!
http://yourbrainyourlife.com
Chapter 6 Use It or Lose It.
We explore what happens to your brain when you
don’t use parts of it, and give you some strategies to
keep it firing on all cylinders.
Chapter 7 How many Senses?
We review the 5 ‘special’ senses and introduce you
to ‘proprioception’, our 6th and possibly the most
important sense.
Chapter 8 Posture Poise and Balance.
This chapter discusses how a physical balance
problem can lead to a functional balance problem
in your brain and then lead to a multitude of
symptoms. We show you what you can do about it.
Chapter 9 Left brain, Right brain, ONE BRAIN.
We know that you are fascinated with what each
side of the brain does. We consider how and why
your brain functions at its best when both sides work
together as ONE BRAIN.
Chapter 10 Stress! What this does to your brain.
Good old STRESS! A little is good for your brain,
but too much drives it towards ‘mesomania’! This
chapter highlights how and why stress is so detrimental
to brain health, and gives you some tips on how to
manage and minimise its impact.
Final Words
Appendix
Glossary
References
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© Dr Robyn Leeder and Dr Kathleen Lawson
Foreword
Kathleen Lawson and Robyn Leeder have managed to present
the complex nature of the human brain in an exciting and
understandable format that is sure to please readers from all
walks of life. They embrace the function of the human brain and
take the reader on a tour of the nervous system that is majestic
and empowering. Their book represents current science and
applications that are meaningful to all people. Surely they allow
us to look at ourselves in a different light that illuminates an
understanding few people have been blessed to have.
Dr’s Lawson and Leeder are talented clinicians and functional
neurologists who are also masters of words and understanding.
They attack and defeat the fears that most people have about
attempting to read a “brain book”. Their work is fun to read
and will empower readers to understand their humanism and
its strengths and weaknesses. More so, they offer hope to
so many people who have a variety of health conditions that
involve their nervous systems.
This talented duo have given us the inspiration to understand
and take action as partners in our own health. The book is
motivating and I had a difficult time putting it down.
Prof Frederick Robert Carrick
Cape Canaveral, Florida
DC, PhD, DACAN, DABCN, DACNB,
DAAPM, FRCPN, FACCN, FAAFN,
FEAC(Neurology), FACFN, FABVR,
FABES, FABCDD, FICC.
“Your Brain, Your Life”—
vi Make It What YOU Want!
http://yourbrainyourlife.com
A note about the Authors
Dr Robyn and Dr Kathleen are consultants in the field of
chiropractic neurology and both hold their qualifications
in chiropractic (B.App.Sc(Clin), B.Chiro.Sc(RMIT)), and
functional neurology (DACNB). They work in private practice,
in Melbourne, Australia and regularly consult with other health
professionals to provide the most appropriate care for patients
by offering brain based management options which incorporate
the principals of functional neurology. Each treatment plan is
specific for the individual patient.
Chiropractic is the profession which is dedicated to the care
of the nervous system. Specifically this profession deals with
joint receptor activation, which is one of the most important
sources of activation to the brain and nervous system. This
concept is discussed in detail in the ensuing chapters.
Chiropractors and other health professionals (e.g. osteopaths,
general practitioners, psychologists, neurosurgeons etc)
can elect to complete post graduate studies in the field of
functional neurology, and Dr’s Leeder and Lawson have done
so through the Carrick Institute for Graduate Studies. The
Institutes’ mission is “to empower each learner with the tools
necessary to serve humankind as the Clinical Neurologists
of tomorrow by providing them with the most up-to-date
information available today”. As with most post graduate
qualifications, continuing education is mandatory in order to
maintain competency and certification through the appropriate
governing bodies. Both doctors are certified by the American
Chiropractic Neurology Board as specialists in chiropractic
Foreword vii
© Dr Robyn Leeder and Dr Kathleen Lawson
neurology. In many countries DACNB graduates are referred
to as ‘functional’ neurologists. In Australia the Australasian
Academy of Functional Neurology has been formed, and
DACNB graduates refer to themselves as Chiropractic
Neurology Consultants.