Frequently Asked Questions

Similarly to a medical neurologist, a chiropractic neurologist or functional neurologist evaluates and treats the nervous system, which consists of the brain, brainstem, spinal cord, and nerves. However, chiropractic neurologists utilize novel methods of treatment without medication or surgery to enhance or optimize neurological function. The nervous system is known as the “master system” because it governs every system, organ, tissue, and cell within the human body. Contemporary research also demonstrates the nervous system to be intimately connected with the immune system. The primary role of the chiropractic neurologist is to evaluate the function of the nervous system, which may interfere with the body’s ability to achieve homeostasis or physiological stability. If neurological dysfunction is identified, then the chiropractic neurologist develops a personalized treatment plan to encourage guided neuroplasticity. Guided neuroplasticity is non-invasive and utilizes various aspects of environmental stimuli such as somatosensory, proprioceptive, motor, cerebellar, vestibular, and/or cortical applications which are uniquely novel and personalized to the patient's individual needs. The primary clinical goal of the chiropractic neurologist is optimal brain health achieved via properly balanced neurological function. Thus, it may be said, balanced brain function equates to balanced body function. This model of integrative neurological care is especially important for those with developing nervous systems, such as infants and children, as well as prevention or treatment of neuro-degenerative diseases in adults. Chiropractic neurologists will also utilize functional medicine and lifestyle recommendations as a complement to functional neurology.

As in medicine and dentistry, the chiropractic profession has postgraduate or post-doctoral specialties and sub-specialties, also. Such specialties include Chiropractic Pediatrics, Orthopedics, Radiology, Internists, and Neurology to name several. Upon graduation from chiropractic college, a chiropractic doctor may choose to remain in general family practice or decide to pursue advanced training in a specialization. Regarding Dr. Master’s post-doctoral path, he obtained board certification as a chiropractic neurologist, which followed with sub specialty board certification in Functional Neurology and Pediatric Developmental Neurology via the Carrick Institute of Neuroscience Fellowship program. Overall, the completed Diplomate and Fellowship programs in Neurology encompassed several years of advanced training following the Doctor of Chiropractic Medicine degree. Currently, Dr. Master has 28 years clinical experience as a board-certified chiropractic neurologist attending infants, children, and adults.

As a Carrick-trained board-certified chiropractic neurologist, Dr. Master always begins with a thorough patient history relating to the presenting condition. Following the history, a comprehensive neuro-physical evaluation is performed. Dr. Master’s exam consists of observations of constitution, autonomic, cortical, cranial nerve exam with emphasis on eye movements and pupillary function, motor, sensory, non-pathological and pathological reflexes, cerebellar, vestibular, spinomotor, extremity, proprioceptive, circulatory, cardiac, lung, abdominal, as well as other neuro-orthopedic observations and tests. Following the evaluation, Dr. Master will then have greater insight as to how the patient’s nervous system is functioning, imbalances, etc. Following the exam, Dr. Master will then provide his report of findings regarding the patient’s neurological integrative state of function. For infant and children examinations, in addition to the aforementioned history and exam, age-appropriate and detailed primitive and postural-reflex testing, as well as other neurological tests are performed following a thorough developmental history.

Overall, the complete neuro-physical exam or neuro-developmental exam encompasses ~60 minutes with Dr. Master, directly.  This comprehensive evaluation provides a personalized baseline of neurological function for the patient, which may be ameliorated by novel, non-invasive, and comfortable environmentally-based neurological applications. Such neurological applications are designed to encourage neuroplasticity without drugs or surgery. Nevertheless, should a patient display exam findings deemed not to be amenable to chiropractic neurological care, then a script for additional testing (MRI, CT, US, Bloodwork, Labs, etc.) and/or referral to another medical provider/specialty will be provided.

Following the neuro-physical examination, Dr. Master may decide to perform additional evaluation procedures including, but not limited to, in-office VNG testing, caloric vestibular evaluations, vestibular balance testing, objective attention deficit testing (age 4 - adult),  genetic testing, and/or comprehensive functional blood chemistry lab testing and interpretation.

The neurological applications provided by Dr. Master are always non-invasive and without drugs or surgery. Since it is established that 90% of the information going to the brain is derived from joints and muscle receptors, Dr. Master begins there. Whether an infant, child, teen, or adult, the applied care is gentle, graded, safe, and effective. The joint and muscle activation is typically directed to areas of the central nervous system demonstrating decreased function, or neuroplasticity, as identified upon exam. Additionally, other non-invasive neurological applications will be provided during the same office visit and typically involve vestibular,  cerebellar, brainstem, proprioceptive, autonomic, etc. applications which are suited to the patient's unique clinical scenario. Such neurological applications are provided via strong clinical principles relating to the scientific method. Moreover, the care is always personalized to the patient’s individual neurological plasticity needs, with the primary goal being neurological optimization and balanced function (homeostasis) resulting in improved quality of life.

Dr. Master provides intensive treatment plans which entail numerous visits over a short period of time. This is a popular option for those patients residing out-of-state. For example, an out-of-state patient can fly into Charlotte Airport, secure lodging in Fort Mill, and receive 9-12 office visits within 3-5 days to establish increased neuronal connectivity and neuroplasticity.

The Carolinas have many beautiful places to visit, which include various cultural, historical, entertainment, sports, and restaurant venues, as well as fantastic local, state, and national parks. If an intensive treatment plan is desired, please message the office directly via text to 803.992.2473 for additional information and schedule timing requests.

First, Dr. Master and insurance companies do not share the same health values or goals as medical or "health"  insurance is truly not about health. Second, insurance companies have erected major barriers between the doctor/patient relationship. Such barriers prevent doctors from providing even the most basic standard of care to the individual patient. Ultimately, this affects the quality of care received by the patient resulting in poor clinical outcomes. Insurance companies make billions of dollars by denying and/or limiting basic standardized care to the patient. Insurance is a business after all with a focus on "the bottom line," rather than care of the patient. Therefore, by not accepting assignment of medical insurance, Dr. Master eliminates the enigmatic and bureaucratic barriers preventing the delivery of high quality healthcare to his patients, thereby preserving the highly privileged and confidential doctor/patient relationship. Lastly, insurance companies oftentimes do not stay informed regarding innovative health care specialties like Chiropractic Neurology or Functional Neurology.

Dr. Master provides high-quality, patient-centered integrative healthcare services for his patients at reasonable and competitive rates in comparison to other Carrick-trained colleagues who are board certified as chiropractic neurologists with sub-specialization in Functional Neurology and Child Neurodevelopmental Disorders. His office accepts most major credit cards, checks, cash, Health Savings Accounts (HSAs), and other healthcare savings plans. 

Following services rendered, if requested, Master NeuroHealth LC can supply the patient with a superbill receipt, which contains all necessary ICD-10 diagnosis codes, CPT treatment codes, and proof of payment for services rendered. Upon receipt, the patient may then personally submit the paid superbill to their insurance company for possible direct reimbursement for “out-of-network” services provided. Reconciled superbills may also be applied to individual or family deductible plans.

Importantly, though Dr. Master is considered an "out-of-network" doctor, he may still provide patient script orders for blood work, X-ray, CT, MRI, ultrasound, etc. when clinically indicated. Such clinical orders given by Dr. Master will most likely be covered by insurance as long as such orders are deemed medically necessary. However, individual plans and rules do vary.