DR. DAN TUTTLE, DC, LCSW

  • Home
  • Chiropractic
  • Neurofeedback
  • Psychotherapy
  • Research
  • About
  • Videos and interviews
  • Blog
  • Testimonials
  • Newsletter
  • Schedule an appointment
  • Parkinson's study
  • Home
  • Chiropractic
  • Neurofeedback
  • Psychotherapy
  • Research
  • About
  • Videos and interviews
  • Blog
  • Testimonials
  • Newsletter
  • Schedule an appointment
  • Parkinson's study

Dr. Tuttle's Blog

sw LORETA Neurofeedback: cutting-edge technology to train your brain

1/21/2021

0 Comments

 
Brain image swLORETA for NeurofeedbackswLORETA image showing elevated alpha activity in the thalamus and cerebellum as well as other locations.
One of the new technologies I have for Neurofeedback is something called swLORETA z-score Neurofeedback. It is part of a program I used called Neuroguide.

Traditional neurofeedback uses one or two electrodes on the head to increase or decrease a particular frequency or frequencies. swLORETA z-score  Neurofeedback uses 19 electrodes on the head to train the brain in 3 dimensions. It divides the brain into over 12,000 voxels or pieces and calculates the brain activity at those locations. I then compare that data to a normative database to determine what areas of the brain are different from the average human. If those areas of the brain are different, and they relate to the symptoms a person is having, then we can re-train those areas of the brain. 

For the first time, swLORETA allows deeper structures in the brain like the cerebellum to be viewed using qEEG technology. The cerebellum is very important in balance and coordination disorders, conditions like Parkinson's and is also now even being found to be involved in things like attention. swLORETA stands for standardized weighted low resolution electromagnetic tomography analysis. 

Advantages to swLORETA Neurofeedback is that it is more specific than traditional neurofeedback. Because it is more specific, it is being reported to work faster than other forms of traditional Neurofeedback and may succeed where other forms of Neurofeedback have reached a plateau in progress. 


Neurofeedback can be used to treat anxiety, depression, PTSD, OCD, ADHD, Autism, insomnia, traumatic brain injury, and is being investigated for use in cognitive problems associated with COVID-19.

You can be assured you are getting the latest and greatest in technology when choosing Neurofeedback at Tuttle Health, LLC. Call today to schedule an appointment. 727-509-3760. 

0 Comments

Check your brain with Neurolink Q

1/18/2021

0 Comments

 
Brain Neurolink QNeurolink Q links patient's symptoms to locations in the brain.
Are you wondering what part of your brain might be involved in the problem you are having? Yeah, there's an app for that!

There is a new app out called Neurolink Q. It allows a person to enter into it whatever symptoms they might be having and see what parts of the brain may be involved in generating their symptoms. For example if a person has anxiety, it will show what parts of the brain may be involved in generating anxiety. I use it in conjunction with a program called Neuroguide to do Neurofeedback with patients. I use Neuroguide in conjunction with a program called swLORETA which allows me to train the brain in three dimensions. 

swLORETA QEEG brain NeuroguideswLORETA technology shows elevated electrical brain activity in an anxious traumatic brain injury patient, show here with the yellow and red colors.
Neurolink Q can be used with the doctor and patient to see what parts of the brain may be involved and then see how the patient's symptoms are changing over time.

The questions assess things like anxiety, depression, post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD), chronic pain, insomnia, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), early dementia, Parkinson's disease, alexithymia, autism, cognitive issues related to the coronavirus and various issues related to traumatic brain injury or concussion.


If you enter this information, Neurolink Q does not send your information anywhere  so you do not need to be concerned about privacy. If you WANT to send it to me, we can arrange for that but it takes additional steps. 

You can download the app here: 
http://anineurolink.com/mobile/APPgallery.htm

Call 727-509-3760 to schedule an appointment.

0 Comments

Dr. Tuttle is now a diplomate in QEEG

1/5/2021

0 Comments

 
I am proud to announce that I am now a diplomate in QEEG (quantitative electroencephalography) as determined by the International QEEG Certification Board. QEEG is the mathematical analysis of brainwave activity and the skill and technology behind Neurofeedback. This is an advanced level certification currently only held by 126 other people in the world. This demonstrates a level of mastery that is not typically seen in most people providing Neurofeedback. 

I already had the experience using qEEG technology having practiced and studied under great mentors in the field recording and processing thousands of EEGs and then conducting Neurofeedback with those patients. However, I saw the opportunity to refine and advance my skills even further and I chose to get this advanced certification. While over 100,000 studies have evaluated the use of qEEG, there is very little standardization as to how proficient a person is in using the technology, especially when used in a clinical setting (i.e., working with patients). 

One of the biggest advancements this certification gives is the ability to screen and read EEGs like a medical doctor does which is different than how they are read for Neurofeedback. This allows me to screen EEGs more effectively for red flags that would require a referral to a neurologist. It also brought me up-to-date on latest advancements in the field and ways of treating patients using Neurofeedback. 

Neurofeedback can be used to train a variety of brain-based conditions such as anxiety, depression, Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD), Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI), Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD), insomnia, chronic pain, migraines and autism. In collaboration with neurologists, it can also be used treat epilepsy. Call my office at 727-509-3760 to learn more and schedule an appointment. 
0 Comments

Helping with COVID-19: Keep moving

4/8/2020

0 Comments

 
Picture
The COVID-19 virus is having unprecedented effects on society and individuals. I recently watched a presentation by world renowned expert on PTSD Bessel Van Der Kolk about COVID-19 and PTSD. As a mental health professional, I have taken his seminars and even had lunch with the man. His knowledge and understanding of PTSD cannot be understated and his approach to dealing with patients is something I use in my office everyday.

He had some strategies for how to approach this situation with PTSD patients, but it's really good advice for everyone. One of the things he talked about was the need to keep moving. One of the reactions in a traumatic experience is the fight or flight mechanism. From an evolutionary standpoint, if we were to be attacked by a bear we would either fight it or run away from it. We are now being attacked by a virus. But instead of being able to directly fight it or run from it, we are for the most part constrained to our homes which can leave us sedentary.  

What can we do? Our ability to attack it or run from it has been stopped by being on lockdown. But we can take that energy and put it into other things. We can do things around the house. We can clean. We can build things. We can do at-home exercise programs such as yoga or tai-chi which have a calming effect on the body. As a family, we can do things together like cook meals. We can go outside and walk or run. 

Using this approach can help relieve some of the built up tension from this global crisis and put us in a better state of mind. 


0 Comments

New year new injury?

2/29/2020

1 Comment

 
Picture
A common New Year's resolution is to begin exercising more. As we move in the year 2020, I have noticed that several of my patients have decided to go from little or no exercise to very intense exercise training programs. These people then end up in my office injured seeking my chiropractic services.

This brought to my attention an important point that I think people forget about. Part of being strong and mighty is also respecting your body and limitations of matter.  I am a big supporter of exercise with my patients. Generally speaking, the more they can keep moving, the better. Peak performance, trying to reach goals in fitness to maximize a person's physical capacity and being a hard worker are all good things. And while these things can be done at any age, people's well-intentioned ambitions can blow up in their face landing them at the chiropractor or worse orthopedist if they move faster than there body will allow. These injuries occur because the body is being shocked into a state it is not accustomed to.

It's a good idea to build up gradually and incrementally to reach your fitness goals. I can recommend personal trainers that can help you start working out without hurting yourself. I'm always here to help my patients or a new patient who may have injured themselves.

If you have hurt yourself, professional help is right here at my office. 727-509-3760 or click above to schedule online. 

​

1 Comment

Chiropractic, pregnancy and giving birth

1/6/2020

3 Comments

 
Pregnant woman and child
Chiropractic is so important for a healthy pregnancy and easier birthing process. Why?

The pelvis consists of your hips (ilium) and sacrum (what people often call their tailbone). The uterus and hence baby are positioned over these structures. The uterus is suspended by a series of ligaments that attach to the pelvis. When they are out of alignment or proper position, they will create tension and distortion of the uterus. This in turn puts strain on the baby inside the mother. It is more difficult for the then distorted baby to then pass through a distorted pelvis. This increases the likelihood of a longer labor, more difficult delivery, and c-section. 

The sacroiliac joint is particularly prone to instability in pregnancy because the ligaments of the body become looser to allow the baby to pass through the pelvis. Because of this, the sacroiliac joint can become out of alignment, which creates the scenario described above. 

I use Sacro-Occipital Technique ® (SOT ®), which is a gentle way to help stabilize the sacroiliac joint. It is also helpful for things like sciatica, which can happen during pregnancy. 

Why not give you and your baby the best potential for a healthy and uneventful pregnancy and childbirth? Call the office 727-509-3760 or book online by clicking the link above.   

3 Comments

Traumatic brain injury: Did you have your cranium checked?

12/30/2019

1 Comment

 
Picture of cranial bonesMotion of the bones of the head is very important.
Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) is a serious problem with far-reaching effects. Depending on the severity, it can have all sorts of effects on a person. Symptoms are vast and can include:​
  • Difficulty concentrating
  • Memory loss
  • Headache
  • Dizziness
  • Changes in emotion or sleep patterns
  • Seizures
  • Depression
  • Anxiety

The effects of TBI on the motion and position of the skull are often overlooked. The cranium is made up of 22 individual bones. It was once thought that these bones were ossified or fused in adults, rendering the head like a football helmet. Historically, both chiropractors who practice craniopathy and cranial osteopaths thought differently and recognized that the bones continue to move into adulthood and that their motion can have far-reaching effects on the body. Science is now catching up, showing that there is motion in the skull even as an adult.

Blows to the head, whether its a severe one or many small ones, can affect the motion in the cranial bones. This can have far-reaching effects on the body because 80% of your nervous system is housed under the cranium. This also affects flow of the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) that surrounds the brain and spinal cord. This CSF flow brings nourishment into and removes toxins from the nervous system. 

Correcting cranial bone problems is a gentle procedure with light contacts on the head. My patients tell me they enjoy cranial work, particularly the results they get from it. 

If you or someone you know has had a TBI and would like to have your/their cranium checked, call the office at 727-509-3760 or schedule online by clicking the link above. 

1 Comment

EMDR and chiropractic?

11/21/2019

0 Comments

 
EMDR PTSD picture
When I tell people I am a Chiropractic Physician and a licensed psychotherapist I will often get a question about how I combine my services. One of the things I do is combine Eye Movement Desensitization Reprocessing (EMDR) and Chiropractic. EMDR is a therapy used to help with conditions like PTSD, anxiety, depression, insomnia and more. It can often lead to a quicker resolution of problems than simple talk therapy. 

Part of EMDR is identifying where you feel the problem manifesting in the body. In cases where a patient gets stuck in the reprocessing, I can do chiropractic adjustments in those areas of the body. I find this frees up the mind to continue with the reprocessing. 

This is just one of the ways I combine services. Because of my education and training, I am able to combine things in ways that other health care practitioners cannot.

Want to find out if you might be a good candidate for these therapies? You can call the office at 727-509-3760 or click on the link above to schedule an appointment. 

0 Comments

Dr. Tuttle is now teaching other chiropractors

11/18/2019

0 Comments

 
Teacher in a classroom
​In November, I had the honor of teaching at the annual Sacro Occipital Research Society International (SORSI) homecoming seminar  in Denver, Colorado. The topic was the cranial ranges of motion, which is part of the practice of Chiropractic Craniopathy.  This is an advanced form of additional training in chiropractic. The cranial ranges of motion are something I use every day in my practice. In my experience, when you teach something you achieve a deeper level of understanding and mastery of the subject.

Picture of cranium skull
Motion in the bones of the head (cranium) occurs in both children and adults. Their motion is vital to health yet is often overlooked. Proper cranial bone motion relates to proper circulation of the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), which brings nutrients into the brain and spinal cord and removes toxic material. CSF has now been found to interact with the immune system and the lymphatic system. Symptoms of this system not functioning properly are vast because the nervous system affects every organ and cell in the body. 

My patients often tell me they feel amazing when I correct imbalances in the cranium. Even people without symptoms can achieve a higher level of performance through a properly functioning cranium. 

Sacro Occipital Research Society International SORSI logo
I am the only Certified Sacro-Occpitial Technic® (SOT®) practitioner in Pinellas county and only one of two in the entire Tampa bay area. Similarly, I am the only person teaching and practicing chiropractic craniopathy in these areas. 

Want to learn more about or experience the difference with this kind of chiropractic care? Contact my office 727-509-3760 or click above to schedule online. ​

0 Comments

Your sacroiliac joint: Probably part of your problem

10/11/2019

0 Comments

 
Sacroiliac joint pelvisThe sacroiliac joint can cause so many problems if it doesn't work right.
One thing I specialize in is the sacroiliac joint. The sacrum is at the base of your spine. Your ilium is your hips. They come together to form the sacroiliac joint.

You can read older blog entries on the sacroiliac joint for a basic understanding. I recently attended another seminar which addressed  the way the muscles of the body relate to this joint and how that relates to the ligaments that hold the joint together.

Basically, the joint is held together by ligaments. In a sacroiliac joint injury, the ligaments are stretched. The joint becomes hyper-mobile. In an attempt to stabilize the joint, the body will activate a multitude of muscles and people will experience this as a multitude of symptoms. Some of them include:
  • back spasms, tight low back, back stiffness
  • buttock pain and tightness
  • if unaddressed, this can result in sciatica 

PictureImage copyright Sacro Occipital Research Society International ®
But there are so many muscles that attach to the pelvis that symptoms far away from the pelvis can actually be being caused by this sacroiliac joint problem. Some of these symptoms are:
  • ​Shoulder pain​
  • Neck pain
  • Foot/ankle pain
  • IT band syndrome
  • knee pain
  • hip pain
  • elbow pain
  • wrist pain
  • headaches
  • temporomandibular joint (TMJ) problems/TMD
​

Ultimately, the joint needs to be stabilized. It needs to be held together. This is contrary to much of the "standard of care" thinking in orthopedics, physical therapy and chiropractic, which focuses on mobilization of joints. Mobilizing the joint may give temporary relief, but ultimately it creates a perpetual problem with no end because the joint cannot heal.

SOT blocks to correct the sacroiliac jointSOT® wedge-shaped blocks are placed under the pelvis to correct the sacroiliac joint.
Part of the way I decrease mobility in the joint is using wedged-shaped blocks that are placed under the pelvis. They help close the joint and compress the ligaments together. Sometimes this is enough to resolve the issue. Other times, patients need extra support. This is done by having the patient wear a trochanteric belt. Worn around the pelvis, it helps hold the joint together so the muscles don't have to. The muscles are then able to relax and the pain goes away.  Exercises can also be given to strengthen some of the weak muscles that contributed to the injury occurring in the first place. Healing of the joint can take 4-6 weeks. Sometimes additional nutritional support can be given to help the joint heal.
​

So many of my patients have sacroiliac joint problems and this is one of my specialties. If you would like to know more or set up an appointment, call the office at 727-509-3760 or send an email to thedclcsw@gmail.com. You can also schedule appointments online.  

0 Comments
<<Previous

    Author

    I'm a Chiropractic Physician, Psychotherapist and researcher. I'm interested in helping people live their lives to their full potential. That could be simply without pain. Or it could be without more complicated physical or mental health problems. Or it could be getting help in making changes in their life so that they can achieve their dreams. ​

    Archives

    January 2021
    April 2020
    February 2020
    January 2020
    December 2019
    November 2019
    October 2019
    September 2019
    August 2019
    July 2019
    June 2019
    May 2019
    April 2019
    March 2019
    February 2019
    January 2019
    November 2018
    September 2018
    July 2018
    May 2018
    February 2018
    January 2018

    Categories

    All

    RSS Feed

Contact Information


EMAIL
thedclcsw@gmail.com

Telephone

727-509-3760

Address

2595 Tampa Rd, Suite H, Palm Harbor, FL 34684