Treatment · Targeted neural training

Functional neurological exercises.

Targeted vestibular, ocular-motor, balance and gait drills that challenge specific neural pathways — prescribed from your qEEG, sequenced alongside neurofeedback and biofeedback, and continued at home.

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What it is

Targeted exercise for the brain.

Specific neural systems — the vestibular system, the ocular-motor system, balance and gait, primitive reflexes — can be challenged and trained the same way muscle is trained. The drills are simple-looking. The targeting is the work.

We use functional neurological exercises as one of five clinician-led modalities in a personalised plan. Which exercises, in what dose, in what order — that decision comes from your qEEG and clinical assessment, not from a fixed protocol.

How it works

Four neural systems we train.

The exercises look ordinary. The reasoning behind them is not.

Vestibular

Inner-ear and brain-stem systems for balance, head-position sense, and motion stability. Trained with head-movement drills, gaze stabilisation, and provoked positional work where appropriate. Strong evidence base in vestibular rehabilitation [1].

Ocular-motor

Eye-movement systems involved in tracking, saccades, convergence, and gaze stability. Trained with smooth pursuits, anti-saccade drills, and convergence/divergence work. Used widely in concussion-recovery practice.

Balance & gait

Postural-control and locomotor systems. Trained with single-leg, dual-task, and unstable-surface drills, plus gait work where indicated. Standard in concussion-recovery clinical guidelines.

Primitive reflexes

Early-developmental reflex patterns that can persist or re-emerge. Where present, integration work is sequenced into the plan, particularly with paediatric and post-concussion presentations.

A session

What a session looks like.

Sessions are short, specific, and progressive. You leave knowing exactly what to do at home.

  1. 5 min

    Brief assessment

    Quick check-in on how you've been responding to the previous prescription, plus a short objective measure (gaze stability, balance, gait — whatever's being tracked).

  2. 15–20 min

    Targeted exercise work

    The drills themselves — vestibular, ocular-motor, balance, primitive-reflex integration, or some combination, depending on what your map and assessment indicate.

  3. 5 min

    Home prescription

    A clear, written set of exercises for the days between sessions. Frequency, duration, and progression criteria are spelled out. Photos and short video links provided.

Who it's for

Where this fits in a plan.

Functional neurological exercises are particularly relevant in:

Concussion recovery Traumatic brain injury Stress & burnout ADHD (children) Executive function Memory & cognitive change Hyperarousal Peak performance Cognitive ageing well
Evidence

A short reading list.

Vestibular and ocular-motor rehabilitation have a strong, replicated evidence base. We work within that, and we cite carefully.

  1. Hall, C.D., et al. (2016). Vestibular rehabilitation for peripheral vestibular hypofunction: an evidence-based clinical practice guideline. Journal of Neurologic Physical Therapy, 40(2), 124–155.
  2. Schneider, K.J., et al. (2017). Cervicovestibular rehabilitation in sport-related concussion: a randomised controlled trial. British Journal of Sports Medicine, 48(17), 1294–1298.
  3. Mucha, A., et al. (2014). A brief vestibular/ocular motor screening (VOMS) assessment to evaluate concussions. American Journal of Sports Medicine, 42(10), 2479–2486.
  4. Alsalaheen, B.A., et al. (2010). Vestibular rehabilitation for dizziness and balance disorders after concussion. Journal of Neurologic Physical Therapy, 34(2), 87–93.
  5. Goble, D.J., et al. (2009). The neural control of bipedal stance and the effects of aging. Journal of Aging and Physical Activity, 17(4), 535–562.

Citations are illustrative for the prototype build. Final references will be reviewed by Dr Ash and the content team before publication.

FAQ

Common questions.

Is this physiotherapy?

No. Functional neurological exercises are prescribed and progressed as part of an overall qEEG-guided plan. They overlap with vestibular rehabilitation (a physiotherapy specialty) but are sequenced into a broader brain-rhythm and regulation plan, not delivered as standalone vestibular care. We refer to a vestibular physiotherapist when standalone vestibular rehabilitation is the appropriate first call.

Will I need to do exercises at home?

Yes — and this is most of the work. In-clinic sessions prescribe and progress; the daily practice at home is what produces change. Sessions are spaced to give time for that to happen.

Can children do this?

Yes. Paediatric work is a substantial part of this modality, particularly around primitive-reflex integration, balance and ocular-motor work for children with attention or processing difficulties.

Do you do this online?

The initial assessment and prescription are done in clinic. Progressions and home-programme reviews can run via telehealth once the baseline plan is in place.

One of five modalities

Start with a clearer picture.

Functional neurological exercises are sequenced from your qEEG, alongside neurofeedback and biofeedback. Begin with the map.

Book a consultation Read about qEEG

Scope of practice. Dr Ash Connell (Chiropractor) is registered with AHPRA. Functional neurological exercises at The Healthy Brain Clinic are delivered as part of a qEEG-guided plan. We refer to vestibular physiotherapy, neurology, audiology, or paediatric occupational therapy when those are the more appropriate first call.

If you need urgent support, contact your GP, call Lifeline on 13 11 14, or in an emergency call 000.

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