About Us drschmoe@theFNC.com
A new technique utilized at The Functional Neurology Center in Minnesota. The Nodulus technique is an advanced, multi-modal rehabilitation protocol designed to address complex vestibular and neurological dysfunctions. It is named after the cerebellar nodulus – a critical region for balance and eye movement control – reflecting its focus on recalibrating vestibular processing at a foundational level. The technique integrates cutting-edge technologies with therapeutic exercises to correct sensory mismatches, improve ocular motor control, and restore autonomic balance in patients. Its purpose is to provide professionals with a comprehensive treatment approach for patients suffering from dizziness, imbalance, post-concussive symptoms, and other neuro-vestibular disorders that have not responded to conventional therapies. In essence, the Nodulus technique combines thorough clinical assessment with a stepwise treatment progression and modern neurorehabilitation tools to achieve optimal outco
Dr. Jeremy Schmoe DC DACNB FACFN FABBIR
TheFNC.com
Dr. Schmoe is the founder and director of The Functional Neurology Center. Over the past 15 years he has been working with patients with complex neurological dysfunction. He manages patients from all over the country as well as international.
He has treated thousands of patients with head injuries, vertigo, dysautonomia, dizziness, movement disorders, neuro-degenerative and developmental disorders. He treats patients of all ages.
He enjoys seeing the most complex cases Integrating neuro-rehab, manual therapy, lab work and nutrition. He has completed extensive post graduate training in functional neurology, neuroimmunology and functional medicine.
He has worked with many professional NHL and KHL hockey players and has been highlighted in Minnesota Hockey Magazine. He has been featured in The Huffington Post, Experience Life Magazine and WCCO for his work. In addition to his work with professional hockey players he has also worked on many motocross riders, X games snow sports athletes, Olympic figure skaters, Equestrian athletes, high school and collegiate level athletes. He has worked with athletes from all major Minnesota pro sports teams.
He specializes in working with post concussion syndrome and vestibular symptoms, which is his passion after personally dealing with PCS and Lyme disease neurological symptoms. Understanding the complex integration of the visual-vestibular and cervical spine. Many patients with PPPD, visual motion discomfort, unknown complex visual vestibular symptoms have traveled to work with him from all across the country and international including Russia, Denmark, Netherlands, Australia, Finland, Belgium, Belarus, Switzerland, Canada, Guam and England.
He has developed innovative techniques utilizing direct current electrical stimulation for treating unresponsive complex headaches and migraine by stimulating various trigeminal and vagal nerve regions on the head and face.
He has lectured Nationally and Internationally in Canada and Europe for the Carrick Institute of Clinical Neuroscience. He has also lectured in the Netherlands on cervical manual therapy for instability.
He is a Diplomate of the American Chiropractic Neurology Board DACNB, Fellow of the American College of Functional Neurology and was the valedictorian of the 2015 FABBIR Carrick Institute TBI program.
He graduated from NWHSU in 2011 with his Doctorate of Chiropractic. He graduated from MNSU Mankato in 2007 with his Exercise Science Degree. He has completed thousands of hours of post graduate neurological training in vestibular rehab, autonomic disorders, complex chronic pain, developmental disorders, neurochemistry, immunology and various manual therapy techniques.
He has presented at the Minnesota Brain Injury Alliance Annual Conference, North Dakota TBI Network, Alaska Brain Injury Network and in Washington DC at the Federal Interagency TBI Conference.
He has been a guest on numerous podcasts and has presented at the University of Minnesota annual sports symposium as well as the Minnesota Chiropractic Association Concussion Conference and annual conference. He was awarded Educator of the Year in 2022 by the Minnesota Chiropractic Association for his courses on Concussion and TBI.
He enjoys educating other providers and patients on functional neurology. He is an adjunct faculty member at Northwestern Health Sciences University in Bloomington, MN and board member of American Board of Brain Injury Rehabilitation through the ACFN.
He lives and practices in Minnesota. His wife Erin is also a chiropractor and they have a 2 daughters Willow 5 and Indie 2 years old. They also have a 10 year old dog named Burrberry who likes to hang at the clinic.
His center in Minnesota has seen thousands of patients in an intensive care model helping with Post Concussion, Dizziness, Vertigo, Dysautonomia, migraine, TBI, ABI, post stroke and complex unknown issues. They were the first clinic in Minnesota to start using Gyrostim therapy in 2018 and currently have two #gyrostim chairs for neuro-rehabilitation. TheFNC also helps patients with NeuroHealth and Sports Performance and injury care.
Jeremy Schmoe DC DACNB FACFN FABBIR
Board Certified Chiropractor MBCE: 2011
Diplomate American Chiropractic Neurology Board: 2012
Fellow American College of Functional Neurology:2013
Fellow American Board of Brain Injury Rehabilitation: 2015
Courses from Dr. Schmoe
Innovative NeuroSolutions in Minnesota
Vertical and Torsional Eye Movements
Nodulus at the FNC
Nodulus Technique
Nodulus Technique: Low-Tech Assessments, Passive Movements & Tilt Translation for Neurological Rehabilitation
At NodulusFX Neuro, we focus on progressive neurological rehabilitation by leveraging low-tech assessments, passive movements, and tilt translation to enhance vestibular integration, proprioceptive control, and postural stability.
Recent research has emphasized the role of the cerebellar nodulus/uvula (NU) in integrating vestibular and proprioceptive inputs for self-motion encoding and balance control (PubMed Study). The Nodulus Technique is designed to stimulate and refine these neural pathways, improving sensorimotor coordination, dizziness control, and autonomic regulation.
Even without advanced motion platforms like the Vestibular Motion 6 Pro, the Nodulus Technique provides a highly effective framework using:
Low-tech neurological assessments
Passive movement strategies
Tilt translation for enhanced vestibular adaptation
Low-Tech Assessment Strategies in the Nodulus Technique
A structured assessment identifies neurological dysfunctions and guides individualized rehabilitation. Using simple but highly effective bedside tools, we evaluate:
1. Cervical Joint Position Error (JPE) Testing
• Assessment: Using a laser pointer headband or manual repositioning tasks to assess proprioceptive awareness and cervical sensorimotor control.
• Purpose: Identify cervico-vestibular mismatch and correct postural misalignment.
2. Vestibulo-Ocular Reflex (VOR) & Gaze Stability Testing
• Assessment: Head impulse tests, smooth pursuit, and saccadic eye tracking to evaluate oculomotor control and vestibular function.
• Purpose: Detect eye-head coordination deficits, which affect spatial processing and balance.
3. Balance & Postural Stability Assessments
• Assessment: Romberg variations, single-leg stance tests, and postural challenge exercises to assess vestibulo-spinal function.
• Purpose: Foam pads, wobble boards, and static vs. dynamic postural training help retrain balance.
4. Autonomic Nervous System Screening
• Assessment: Heart rate variability (HRV), pupillary responses, and postural autonomic testing to detect dysautonomia.
• Purpose: Implement breathing techniques, tilt translation, and passive movements to modulate autonomic function.
Passive Movement-Based Rehabilitation Using the Nodulus Technique
Once neurological dysfunctions are identified, we use gentle passive movements and proprioceptive re-education to restore function.
1. Cervical & Head Positioning Therapy
Slow, passive head rotations & tilts – Retrains cervico-vestibular pathways.
Occipital-cervical decompression – Improves neural flow and autonomic function.
Head righting reflex training – Encourages vestibulo-spinal coordination through passive positioning exercises.
2. Oculomotor & Gaze Stability Drills
Smooth pursuit & saccades training – Strengthens brainstem-cerebellar circuits.
Passive VOR training – Gentle head movements while maintaining visual fixation.
Convergence/divergence drills – Enhances binocular vision and depth perception.
3. Proprioceptive Re-Education & Somatosensory Stimulation
Light touch & joint compression – Stimulates body awareness and proprioception.
Passive weight shifting & postural repositioning – Engages vestibulo-spinal pathways to retrain balance and spatial control.
Manual rhythmic movements – Provides neuroplasticity-driven sensory input.
Tilt Translation: A Key Element in the Nodulus Technique
What is Tilt Translation?
Tilt translation refers to controlled, low-amplitude tilting movements that engage vestibular, proprioceptive, and autonomic reflexes. It mimics natural head-body acceleration forces, training the brain to better integrate postural stability and motion perception.
How We Use Tilt Translation in the Nodulus Technique
Tilt translation is applied in progressive stages, moving from low-tech manual interventions to dynamic applications.
Manual Head & Body Tilting
• Slow tilting forward, backward, and laterally to gently activate vestibular and proprioceptive pathways.
• Helps patients with motion sensitivity, dizziness, and postural instability.
Reclined Tilt Translation for Autonomic Regulation
• Supine-to-upright tilting to engage baroreceptor reflexes and improve autonomic function.
• Beneficial for patients with dysautonomia, POTS, or post-concussion fatigue.
Seated & Standing Tilt Challenges
• Seated tilts with head motion to challenge vestibulo-ocular reflex (VOR).
• Standing tilt training with proprioceptive feedback using foam pads or tilting platforms.
Dynamic Tilt Training for Advanced Integration
• Combining tilt translation with gaze fixation, cognitive tasks, and balance drills enhances sensorimotor coordination.
• Prepares patients for real-world movement demands and sport-specific training.
The Power of Nodulus: Low-Tech, High-Impact Rehabilitation
The Nodulus Technique is a scalable, adaptable approach for neurological rehabilitation without relying on expensive equipment. By integrating low-tech assessments, passive movements, and tilt translation, we can:
Improve Cervical-Vestibular Integration – Enhancing head-neck reflexes and spatial awareness.
Restore Balance & Proprioception – Strengthening postural control and dynamic stability.
Enhance Autonomic Regulation – Using tilt translation to optimize heart rate variability and nervous system adaptability.
Reduce Dizziness, Motion Sensitivity, & Gait Instability – Helping patients transition to more advanced movement challenges.
The cerebellar nodulus/uvula (NU) plays a central role in self-motion encoding and vestibular function, making structured vestibular and tilt-based rehabilitation essential (PubMed Study).