Everything you need to know about Functional Neurology, P-DTR, our approach and what to expect from treatment at Breakthrough Pain & Performance.Cannot find the answer you need? Contact us directly and we will be happy to help.
Functional Neurology is the clinical application of neuroscience to assess and improve how your nervous system works. It is not about diagnosing neurological disease. It is about identifying dysfunction in how your brain processes information and correcting it so your body functions optimally. We test the receptors throughout your body that send information to your brain and reset any that are malfunctioning.
P-DTR stands for Proprioceptive Deep Tendon Reflex. It is a precise assessment and treatment method that tests receptor function throughout your body and corrects faults that are causing dysfunction. It allows us to identify exactly which receptors are driving your symptoms and address them specifically.
Most manual therapies treat the area that hurts using techniques that affect tissue directly. We test the nervous system to find what is driving the problem, which is often not in the painful area at all. We correct the information fault so your brain stops creating the symptom. This addresses cause rather than effect.
No. A neurologist diagnoses and treats neurological diseases and conditions. Functional Neurology assesses and improves how your nervous system functions without disease being present. We work with dysfunction rather than pathology. If we suspect neurological disease, we refer you appropriately.
The neuroscience principles underlying our approach are well established. How your brain processes receptor information, how it creates pain and protective responses, how these patterns can persist after tissue healing. The specific assessment and treatment methods we use have been developed over decades of clinical practice and refined through thousands of patient encounters.
Your first full session is 60 minutes. We take a detailed history of your symptoms and relevant past events. We then conduct comprehensive neurological testing to identify which receptors are causing dysfunction. When we find problems, we correct them using P-DTR techniques and immediately retest to prove the change. You leave knowing what we found, what we changed and what to expect going forward.
No. The corrections are gentle and take seconds. We use inputs like light pressure, stretch or vibration that your receptors respond to. There is no manipulation, cracking or forceful techniques.
We retest immediately after every correction. You feel the change yourself. A muscle that was weak becomes strong. A range that was restricted improves. Pain that was present reduces. This immediate verification is fundamental to how we work. We do not ask you to believe it worked. We prove it.
It depends on your situation. Simple cases often resolve in one to three sessions. Complex cases with multiple layers take longer. At your first appointment, we give you an honest assessment of what we find and what realistic expectations are. We do not lock you into extended treatment programmes. You see progress and decide whether to continue based on results.
After a full treatment session, you may receive one to five short brain-based exercises that take seconds to perform. These support neurological changes rather than build tissue strength. They are quite different from physiotherapy exercises. Not everyone needs them.
This varies by situation. Initial sessions may be weekly or fortnightly to build momentum. As you improve, sessions typically become less frequent. Some people need only a few sessions total. Others with complex, long-standing problems benefit from periodic maintenance.
A free 15 to 20 minute appointment where we identify likely drivers behind your pain or restriction, demonstrate how our assessment works, explain our approach in plain English and advise the best next step. It is designed to give you clarity and let you experience how we work before committing to anything.
Yes, completely free with no obligation to book any further sessions.
Yes. If it is appropriate for your situation and you want to proceed, we can move straight into a full 60-minute assessment and treatment after the taster. Most people choose to do this because they feel change in the taster and want to keep progressing.
We will tell you honestly. If your situation requires medical investigation, a different type of treatment or is not suitable for our approach, we will say so and point you in the right direction. There is no pressure to book if it is not the right fit.
We treat any condition driven by neurological dysfunction. This includes chronic and acute pain, back pain, neck pain, shoulder pain, hip pain, knee pain, foot and ankle pain, headaches and migraines, muscle tightness, restricted movement, weakness, coordination problems, balance issues and performance limitations.
Yes. Chronic pain often persists because neurological patterns maintain the pain response even after tissue has healed. We identify the receptor dysfunction driving the pain and correct it. Many people with chronic pain that has lasted years experience significant improvement because the neurological cause has finally been addressed.
Yes. Headaches often involve dysfunction in the neck, visual system or vestibular system. We test all three and address the contributing factors. Many people with chronic headaches experience significant reduction when these neurological drivers are corrected.
Yes. We have specific expertise in children’s neurodevelopment. We assess and treat children with developmental delays, coordination difficulties, balance problems and motor planning issues. Assessment is adapted for children’s ages and abilities.
Yes. Athletes often have neurological inefficiencies that limit performance, such as strength deficits, asymmetries, coordination issues or recurring niggles. We identify and correct these neurological factors so your body can access its full physical capacity.
Yes, especially if those haven’t worked. We complement them by fixing neurological roots.
Breakthrough Pain & Performance is located at 47 Dukesfield, Shiremoor, Tyne and Wear, NE27 0DR. We serve Newcastle, North Tyneside, Whitley Bay, Tynemouth, Wallsend, Killingworth, Cramlington and surrounding areas.
Yes, there is free parking directly outside the clinic.
Comfortable clothing you can move in. Shorts and a t-shirt or gym wear are best. We may need to see how your knees or shoulders move, so avoid tight denim or restrictive clothing.
If you have recent scans, reports or a list of medications, bring them along. They are not required but can provide useful context.
Monday to Friday 9am to 6pm. Saturday by arrangement. Closed Sunday.
You can book a free taster session through our website, call us on 07921 818285, email [email protected] or send a WhatsApp message.
Please give us at least 24 hours notice if you need to cancel or reschedule. We do not charge for late cancellations, but please give us notice so someone else can use the slot. Contact us by phone, email or WhatsApp.
Our clinic is set up with the equipment needed for comprehensive assessment, so we see most clients here. If you have specific circumstances that make travel difficult, please contact us to discuss options.
The clinic is at ground floor level. If you have specific accessibility needs, please let us know when booking and we will ensure everything is prepared for your visit.
If your question is not answered here, please get in touch. We are happy to discuss your situation and explain how we might be able to help.
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