Why am I still dizzy years after a concussion if my MRI is clean?

An MRI shows structure, not function. Years later your nervous system can stay stuck off its axis — a functional exam measures the systems that run balance and focus, and usually finds exactly what the imaging missed.

Why does my neck loosen up hours after a chiropractic adjustment?

A delayed unwind is information — it shows how your nervous system holds tension and regulates itself. We use that timing to shape your plan, because how and when you release matters as much as the adjustment.

Do you really just rest in a dark room after a concussion?

For most concussions that advice is outdated. After a short initial rest, the evidence favors guided, progressive activity — too much dark-room rest can actually slow recovery.

Can a concussion from years ago still be addressed?

Yes — even years later, those pathways can be retrained. The patients who recover are the ones who start from what their brain is actually doing, not from what they were told to expect.

What are retained primitive reflexes in children?

Primitive reflexes are automatic newborn movements that should switch off as the brain matures. When one stays active, it can quietly drive focus, behavior, and coordination problems that look like something else.

Could my child's focus problems be a reflex issue, not a behavior issue?

Sometimes, yes. A retained Moro reflex can mimic attention and behavior struggles — screening for it first can change a child's path before a behavioral label is ever applied.

Is “wait and see” okay for a child's early focus or behavior concerns?

Often it's costly. The developing brain has windows where help works best, and waiting lets small issues compound. Earlier screening usually means a shorter, easier path.

How do you screen a child for retained primitive reflexes?

With a quick set of movement tests — about a minute — that check whether reflexes which should be gone are still firing. Simple enough for a well-child visit, and it catches what standard checkups miss.

Why did Dr. Cooper Dykstra start Brain Health and Chiropractic?

After being ejected from a vehicle, he spent years unable to walk right while doctors found nothing. That search for answers — and the functional approach that finally worked — is why the practice exists.

What did functional neurology find that other doctors missed?

Standard care looked at structure and called it normal. Functional neurology measured how the systems actually performed under challenge — and found the dysregulation everyone else had overlooked.

What is functional neurology, and what does FIBFN-FN mean?

Functional neurology assesses how your brain and nervous system perform, then retrains them. FIBFN-FN is a board certification in that field — training well beyond standard chiropractic or medical neurology.

Is there hope if no doctor has been able to explain my symptoms?

Often, yes. Many “unexplained” symptoms are functional, not permanent. A thorough functional exam usually finds a measurable driver — and a measurable driver is something you can retrain.

How do you measure whether brain-based care is actually working?

With the Brain Reset Score — an objective, re-testable number instead of “how are you feeling?” It turns recovery into something you can actually see and track.

What does the Brain Reset Score actually measure?

Five systems — primitive reflexes, balance and coordination, eye movements, sensory processing, and autonomic regulation — combined into one re-testable number that shows where you stand and how you're progressing.

What if I'm not the right fit for your program?

We'll tell you on the discovery call and point you to who is. We'd rather lose a patient than start someone on the wrong path — the honest answer is part of the care.

Where is measurement-first brain care headed?

Toward objective measurement at the very first visit — mapping a child's brain function in the first 15 minutes instead of guessing. That's the direction this work is going.

What is the Brain Reset Program?

A 4-day intensive neurological rehabilitation program designed to identify dysfunction and retrain brain pathways using targeted therapy and measurable data. Day 1 is a comprehensive evaluation to calculate your Brain Reset Score. Days 2 through 4 are targeted neurological rehabilitation sessions customized to your findings.

What is the Brain Reset Score?

A number out of 100 generated from five assessments: Brain Reset Symptom Index, Comprehensive Neurological Exam, Neuro-Visual Processing Assessment (RightEye and VestibularFirst), BTrackS Balance Assessment, and Reaction Time. It establishes your baseline, guides your plan, and is reassessed to track measurable progress over time.

Is this chiropractic care?

Dr. Dykstra is a licensed chiropractor in South Dakota, but Brain Health and Chiropractic is not traditional chiropractic. Our practice focuses on functional neurology and neurological rehabilitation — an advanced specialty that goes far beyond spinal manipulation. Most patients come to us after traditional medicine and chiropractic have not helped.

I've seen multiple doctors with normal test results — can you help?

Normal MRI or CT results do not mean your brain is functioning normally. Standard imaging measures structure, not function. A dysfunctional brain can have completely normal imaging. That is exactly where functional neurology excels: we measure the brain function that standard tests miss.

What does a Discovery Call involve?

A 15-minute call where we listen to your symptoms, history, and goals, explain how functional neurology works, and determine whether the Brain Reset Program may be a fit. There is no obligation.

Do you take insurance?

We are a cash-based practice so we can provide more time, testing, and personalized care. Flexible payment options are available and can be discussed with your care coordinator at the time of booking.

What age range does the Pediatric Brain Reset Program serve?

Children ages 4 to 12. The program is designed around brain-development milestones for this age group and led by Dr. Natalie Haken.

Is the Pediatric Brain Reset safe for children?

Yes. Our diagnostics and therapies are non-invasive and child-friendly. Dr. Natalie Haken specializes in pediatric neurological rehabilitation and the program is built around age-appropriate evaluation and care.

What is the Pediatric Brain Reset Symptom Index?

A structured questionnaire completed by the parent that maps your child's focus, sensory, regulation, and developmental concerns to specific areas of brain function. It helps generate a clear baseline we can track over time.

Do you coordinate with our pediatrician, OT, or PT?

Yes. We are happy to collaborate with your child's existing care team and share findings from our assessment if you would like.

How many visits are included in the pediatric program?

4 days of intensive evaluation and care, with detailed home protocols for ongoing reinforcement at home and at school.

What is the Brain Restore Program?

A 2-to-4-month neurological rehabilitation program for individuals with chronic or progressive neurological conditions. These cases are often driven by ongoing inflammation and nervous-system dysregulation, and meaningful improvement requires consistent, repeated support over time — not a single intervention.

What is the Brain Restore Score?

An objective measure generated from comprehensive testing — symptom index, neurological exam, vision and vestibular performance, balance, and reaction time. It establishes your baseline, guides your individualized plan, and is reassessed throughout the program to track measurable progress.

Who is the Brain Restore Program for?

Patients with traumatic brain injury, mild cognitive impairment, early Alzheimer's and memory decline, Parkinson's and movement disorders, Lewy Body Dementia, frontotemporal dementia, multiple sclerosis, chronic traumatic encephalopathy, progressive balance and coordination disorders, and post-traumatic neurodegeneration.

How long does the Brain Restore Program last?

2 to 4 months, with structured, repeated sessions designed to help the brain stabilize, adapt, and improve function over time. Frequency and pacing are tailored to your case.

Why does this require multiple months instead of a single intensive?

Chronic and progressive neurological conditions do not resolve from a single intervention. Sustained neuroplasticity-based work paired with consistent reassessment is what creates measurable, lasting change.

What is the Health Restore Program?

A 3-to-6-month functional medicine program designed to address the underlying hormonal and systemic factors that impact brain and overall health. It uses at-home testing, nutrition, lifestyle strategies, and targeted supplementation to restore balance and support long-term health.

How is functional medicine different from regular healthcare?

Conventional care typically focuses on diagnosing disease and managing symptoms. Functional medicine identifies and corrects root contributors — hormonal imbalances, gut dysfunction, chronic inflammation, and autoimmune drivers — before they progress.

What testing is included in the Health Restore Program?

At-home testing covering hormones, gut and digestive health, blood sugar regulation, inflammation markers, and immune function. Specific tests are tailored to your case based on your initial assessment.

How long does the Health Restore Program last?

3 to 6 months, depending on your case. Functional medicine works on biological timelines: meaningful change comes from consistent, repeated support, not single interventions.

Do I need to take supplements?

Targeted supplementation is part of the program when it is clinically appropriate. We do not believe in shotgun approaches — recommendations are based on your testing results and goals.

Is this for me if I don't have neurological symptoms?

Yes. Many patients come for chronic fatigue, gut and digestive issues, hormonal imbalances, autoimmune conditions, or general energy and resilience. The program is built to support whole-body health.

Brain Health and Chiropractic · FAQ

Your questions, answered.

The questions patients ask most — answered on camera by Dr. Cooper Dykstra, with program details below.

Questions by program

Logistics, scope, and what to expect — grouped by program.

Still have a question?

Start with a 15-minute Discovery Call. We’ll review your symptoms, history, and goals and help you find the right path.

Book a free 15-minute Discovery Call or call (605) 799-7579