Schedule

Addiction has now been proven to be a neurological brain disease. Dr. Surasky, a double board-certified neurologist and addiction specialist, pioneered breakthrough medication protocols now used in centers nationwide. In a unique partnership with NYCC, he discovered that a precisely delivered chiropractic adjustment can restore systemic coherence and unlock integrated healing throughout the brain and body. 

This presentation is a one-hour, fifty-minute discussion of the clinical applications of neuromodulation techniques. Neuromodulation, the therapeutic application of electricity, photoenergy, magnetic, or ultrasonic stimuli for clinical aims, is growing exponentially. Research and clinical applications of non-invasive brain stimulation (NIBS) are increasing rapidly in applied clinical neurosciences. This presentation will discuss the latest advances in the areas of transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS), transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS), photobiomodulation (PBM), and ultrasonic neuromodulation (US). Currently, much research is underway in the utilization of NIBS to treat neurological conditions such as traumatic brain injury, post-stroke rehabilitation, neurodegenerative disease, acute and chronic pain, as well as post-traumatic stress disorder. A review of the foundations and development of NIBS techniques will be provided, and a discussion of the putative physiology of actions and mechanisms will be provided. A review of the instrumentation and equipment and its functions will also be discussed. A review of the current scientific literature regarding using various forms of NIBS in different neurological conditions will also be addressed. 

Teaching these topics involves guiding learners through a comprehensive understanding of Visual Snow Syndrome (VSS) a neurological condition characterized by persistent visual disturbances such as static, flickering, and afterimages. Instruction begins by clearly defining VSS and exploring both its visual and non-visual symptoms, followed by discussing its uncertain causes. The story of how this work began with a college baseball player whose condition gained attention through media coverage sets the stage for the development of the Visual Snow Initiative, which brought researchers like Dr. Tsang together to advance study in this field. A central focus is the NORT Study, which utilized the National Eye Institute’s VFQ-25 survey to measure VSS’s impact on quality of life. Students will learn about the study’s design, treatment approaches, statistical methods like the paired t-test, and its significant outcomes across various domains such as vision, mental health, and social functioning. The course will conclude with a look at case studies and discuss future directions in VSS research and treatment development. 

Over millions of years, human evolution was shaped by the need to overcome real and often difficult challenges—whether it was hunting for food, securing resources for the tribe, or migrating with the seasons. Each challenge pushed our ancestors to grow, unlocking new levels of capability, confidence, resilience, and even deeper appreciation for life. These experiences didn’t just reveal our potential—they expanded it. Today, however, many of us can live comfortably without ever facing such tests. We may have steady jobs, homes, and families, yet remain unaware of the untapped strength and possibility within us. Michael spent 33 days in the Arctic and traveled the world interviewing top researchers, elite athletes, business leaders, and doctors to explore this very idea: how challenge and discomfort help us reconnect with our full potential. His journey combined elements of rewilding and mental rewiring—mirroring what experts across disciplines say we all need more of in modern life. Through vivid storytelling and grounded research, Michael offers a practical, inspiring blueprint for embracing challenge, unlocking human potential, and rediscovering what it truly means to be alive. 

Though we are often told that this is not the case, all the latest neuroscience suggests that we have a huge amount of control over how our brains function, including our memory, decision making, and ability to focus. Rethinking about how we use our brains to structure it more like the way that athletes train and develop their bodies for optimal performance, this talk will provide evidence-based strategies leveraging the principles of arousal and neuroplasticity to better understand how we can perform at our best each day.

Happiness, often defined as well-being and contentment, brings numerous benefits, such as enhanced workplace performance, stronger relationships, and better health. However, many people today suffer from “time poverty,” a chronic feeling of having too little time, which is both widespread and detrimental to happiness. Studies show that more discretionary time is linked to greater happiness, but only when spent intentionally. One solution is to invest time better by prioritizing meaningful activities, illustrated by the time jar analogy, filling your time with what matters most first. Tracking how we spend time can reveal opportunities to focus on proven sources of happiness like social connection, rituals, exercise, nature, flow states, and purposeful work. 

This session explores the intersection of perception, fatigue, and performance through a multi-system lens. Participants will learn to integrate respiratory mechanics, muscle oxygenation (via NIRS/Moxy), blood flow restriction (BFR), and subjective effort monitoring to assess and enhance performance and recovery in athletic and clinical populations. Designed for performance, rehab, and applied physiology professionals, this course equips attendees with practical strategies and assessment tools to optimize load, recovery, and long-term resilience.

Most of us never give our breath a second thought—until it’s too late. But what if learning how to breathe better could transform your health, sharpen your mind, and even extend your life? In this powerful session based on his international bestseller Breath: The New Science of a Lost Art, award-winning science journalist James Nestor explores how most of us are breathing incorrectly and the scientifically-backed techniques that can fix it. With insights drawn from ancient wisdom and cutting-edge research, Nestor reveals how small changes in the way we inhale and exhale can dramatically reduce anxiety, enhance focus, improve sleep, and reverse a wide range of chronic health problems. 

This course offers an in-depth exploration of the neuroscience of sleep through the lens of Matthew Walker‘s groundbreaking book Why We Sleep. Students will examine the essential functions of sleep, including its impact on brain health, cognitive performance, memory consolidation, emotional regulation, and physical well-being. The course will cover key sleep mechanisms such as REM and NREM cycles, circadian rhythms, and sleep pressure while also discussing the consequences of sleep deprivation, ranging from increased risk of Alzheimer‘s and cardiovascular disease to impaired learning and mood disorders. We will analyze how modern lifestyles and workplace culture contribute to poor sleep habits and how systemic and personal changes can support healthier sleep. Through engaging discussions and practical strategies, students will learn to view sleep not as a luxury but as a fundamental pillar of human health and performance.

What is becoming clear from scientific studies is that spinal dysfunction negatively impacts brain function. Dr. Haavik will explain the contemporary brain model of vertebral subluxation (according to published research articles). She has a gift for explaining this complex neuroscience research in easy-to-understand language. She will explain the latest scientific understanding about how chiropractic high-velocity, low-amplitude (HVLA) adjustments can reverse maladaptive brain changes that occur over time when spinal dysfunction is present. The latest research shows that a particular group of brain regions, the Default Mode Network, change their conversations over four weeks, and these brain changes correlate with positive clinical outcomes such as reduced pain, improved mood (reduced anxiety and depression), and better quality of life! Dr. Haavik will explain how to implement this latest contemporary understanding of the brain model into your practice. The complex neurophysiology will be presented in an easy-to-understand and clinically practical manner for healthcare professionals.