Key Highlights:

This presentation provides a structured and clinically relevant overview of neurofunctional approaches to pain from movement management. In this Part 1, he begins establishing a foundational framework before progressing to case presentations in later webinars. Dr. Alejandro Elorriaga, MD emphasizes the importance of understanding the nuances of neurofunctional treatment, aiming to guide healthcare practitioners through the transition into becoming neurofunctional clinicians. Central to this discussion is the concept that pain is fundamentally a brain-mediated event, not merely a peripheral issue. He underscores that the sensory experience of pain often does not correlate directly with observable physical pathology, thereby necessitating a more nuanced, neurologically-informed treatment model.

A core focus of the presentation is neurofunctional electroacupuncture, a peripheral nerve stimulation technique designed to induce physiological change through targeted neuromodulation. Dr. Elorriaga argues that this method offers superior clinical outcomes compared to traditional acupuncture due to its strong scientific grounding and adaptability in practice. He further explores how pain originates and is modulated at various levels of the nervous system—peripheral, spinal, and central—requiring practitioners to develop precision in identifying where to intervene for maximum therapeutic effect.

The presentation also delves into the complex interplay of sensory, cognitive, and emotional dimensions of pain, aligning with the neuro-matrix theory that conceptualizes pain as a product of unique brain activation patterns. Dr. Elorriaga elaborates on the nervous system’s inherent capacity for neuromodulation and how specific frequencies of electroacupuncture can be strategically used to trigger desired physiological responses. Clinical decision-making in this context involves careful frequency selection, starting with lower settings and adapting based on patient feedback and observed regulation, rather than forcing outcomes.

Dr. Elorriaga addresses technical aspects such as the importance of a painless needling technique and the relevance of scalp treatment in influencing central brain processes, supporting a dual top-down and bottom-up neuromodulation strategy. The session concludes with a Q&A segment, where practical concerns such as frequency choice, patient discomfort, and treatment adaptability are addressed. This presentation is highly applicable for professionals in physical therapy, acupuncture, pain management, and integrative medicine seeking to deepen their understanding of neurofunctional strategies in clinical practice.