In this episode of Beyond the Adjustment, Dr. Chad Mykietiuk sits down with Dr. Patrick Freud, chiropractic neurologist, educator, and one of the early adopters of chiropractic neurology and functional neurology in Canada.
Dr. Freud shares the fascinating path that led him from an early interest in anatomy, psychology, and neuroscience toward chiropractic. While studying at McGill University and initially expecting to pursue medicine, a simple statement from a chiropractor — that “the body is intelligent” — changed the direction of his career.
From there, Dr. Freud developed a deep interest in the relationship between chiropractic and the nervous system.
The conversation explores what chiropractic neurology and functional neurology actually mean, where they overlap with traditional chiropractic practice, and how a neurological understanding can influence everything from examination and adjusting to rehabilitation and patient management.
Dr. Freud also discusses his work with complex neurological cases, including patients experiencing concussion, dizziness, movement disorders, Parkinson’s disease, multiple sclerosis, and other neurological conditions. After 30 years in practice, his clinic now attracts patients from a wide geographic area and maintains a substantial waiting list.
Throughout the conversation, Dr. Freud emphasizes that functional neurology does not replace chiropractic. Instead, it builds upon chiropractic’s long-standing relationship with the nervous system by incorporating concepts such as neuroplasticity, vestibular rehabilitation, eye movements, sensory-motor integration, lifestyle factors, and targeted neurological exercises.
Chad and Patrick also explore an important question for the profession: Are chiropractors too focused on pain?
While pain remains one of the primary reasons people seek chiropractic care, Dr. Freud explains how those encounters can become an opportunity to help patients better understand their overall health, function, lifestyle, and nervous system.
Guest Bio
Dr. Patrick Freud is a chiropractor, chiropractic neurologist, educator, and longtime practitioner with approximately 30 years of clinical experience.
With an academic background in anatomy and psychology from McGill University, Dr. Freud developed an early fascination with neuroscience, pain, and brain function. His interest eventually led him to chiropractic and later into advanced study in chiropractic neurology and functional neurology.
Over the course of his career, Dr. Freud transitioned from a more traditional chiropractic practice toward a strong focus on neurological cases. His clinical work includes patients experiencing concussion, dizziness, movement disorders, Parkinson’s disease, multiple sclerosis, and a wide range of other neurological presentations.
Dr. Freud integrates chiropractic care with neurological rehabilitation strategies, targeted exercises, vestibular and sensory-motor approaches, lifestyle recommendations, and multidisciplinary collaboration.
He is also passionate about chiropractic education and helping chiropractors better connect the neurological knowledge they already possess with the way they assess and care for patients in everyday practice.
https://cliniquefreud.ca/
https://www.youtube.com/c/PatrickFreud
https://adjustingthebrain.com/
