Dr. Diana Tyler
Meet Dr. Diana Tyler
Dr. Diana Tyler founded Aura Functional Neurology Center (Aura FNC) in 2023 and opened her first Functional Neurology practice right outside of the Atlanta Metropolitan area in Cumming, Georgia, to treat neurological disorders like migraine. She graduated from Georgia Southern University and continued her education at Palmer College of Chiropractic in Port Orange, Florida. After graduating with a Doctorate in Chiropractic, she specialized in Functional Neurology by completing training through the Carrick Institute.
Dr. Tyler is a Certified Diplomate from the American Board of Chiropractic Neurology. She also received additional training in Functional Nutrition through Apex Energetic Seminars and Mastering Migraine with Dr. Adam Harcourt.
“My favorite part about what I do is that it is holistic—treating migraine with non-invasive procedures and supplements with limited side effects. Instead of managing the symptoms, we rely on lifestyle and dietary modifications, therapeutic brain exercises, brain-based modalities, and nutritional supplementation to make lasting changes.
I find the contributing factors to neurological disorders like migraine (neurological, metabolic, structural, functional, and musculoskeletal factors), address them simultaneously, and pass this knowledge on to our patients to be able to manage their symptoms on their own.
Helping a patient is rewarding, but empowering them to take control of their quality of life is my true goal. At Aura FNC we all work to educate, encourage, and support our patients in their neurorehabilitation journey. I am excited to lead the work of Aura FNC, where we help those searching for answers and provide hope for a better quality of life”
– Dr. Diana Tyler
Education, Credentials, and Training
Dr. Diana Tyler D.C. DACNB enrolls in continuous educational programs multiple times per year to learn and gain new certifications so that she can stay up to date with the latest research in applied clinical neuroscience. She understands the latest methodologies that best apply to treating her patients who commonly have neurological conditions such as Migraine, Dysautonomia, POTS, Concussion, PCS, TBI, Long COVID, and Neurodevelopmental Disorders.
As of January 2024, Dr. Diana Tyler holds the following formal education and additional training credentials in the fields of Chiropractic Functional Neurology, Functional Nutrition, Hormones, Metabolism, and other related fields that support her patients:
- Board Certified Chiropractic Neurologist
- Certified in Mastering The Thyroid
- Certified in Functional Blood Chemistry
- Licensed by the Georgia Board of Chiropractic Examiners
- Licensed by the North Carolina Board of Chiropractic Examiners
- Certified by the National Board of Chiropractic Examiners
- Certified by the American Chiropractic Neurology Board
- Member of the Georgia Chiropractic Association (GCA)
Having experienced migraines since her youth, Dr. Diana Tyler possesses firsthand insight into the challenges of living with this condition. This profound personal experience motivated her to pursue a career as a Chiropractic Functional Neurologist, with the goal of assisting others dealing with migraines and various neurological conditions.
Here is Dr. Diana Tyler’s story:
Dr. Diana Tyler's Migraine Story
I still remember my first migraine attack. I was a teenager in middle school gym class participating in jumping jacks when I started to experience intense head pain. Even basic physical movement was intensifying my symptoms. Reclining at the nurse’s station proved to be of no relief whatsoever.
Up to this point, I had been experiencing low-grade headaches consistently (15-25 per month). This was mostly due to not understanding the concept of rebound headaches and unmanaged food sensitivities. However, I too well could recognize this for what it was – not just a headache, but a migraine specifically.
During my upbringing, I observed my older sister consistently battling chronic migraine, and the fear of facing the same fate lingered with me. Having witnessed her journey, I anticipated the next logical step – consulting a medical neurologist to initiate preventive and/or abortive medication.
At my initial neurological appointment, we went over my symptoms to determine a diagnosis and we talked about medication choices with my parents. I left with a bag containing different medical samples of abortive medications to try one by one during my next migraine, reporting back on which one worked best. However, one thing to note in hindsight was that no one, even up to this point, had conducted any evaluation or tests to identify the root cause of my migraine. Back then, I didn’t think much about it, seeing migraine as a lifelong challenge. I felt like I had to simply accept and adapt to certain limitations for the rest of my life.
As time went by, the migraine headaches happened more often and were harder to control, even with preventative medication. The abortive medications were running out more quickly each month (within 10 days), and I needed higher doses. At one point during those years, our family Chiropractor started providing relief for my migraine attacks – reducing how often they happened and how bad they were. It made me feel hopeful because I felt like I could actively do something and take control of my symptoms. Plus, there were fewer side effects compared to the acid reflux and cavities from my headache medications, the dizziness and fatigue from muscle relaxers, and the thermoregulation issues, chest discomfort, and jaw tightness after using certain abortive medications.
Chiropractic Awakening: A personal journey to migraine liberation
That’s when I chose to not only manage my own migraine attacks from there on but also to dedicate my entire career to assisting others in doing the same, by becoming a Doctor of Chiropractic – and with the ultimate goal of becoming a Functional Neurologist. My life’s purpose shifted and continues to be making a positive impact on the lives of those dealing with migraine and other neurological disorders. I understand the underlying causes of these conditions by dedicating the required time and effort to continued learning. Through my intensive neurorehabilitation treatment programs at Aura FNC, I aspire to offer relief and care to every patient I see.
Early in my Chiropractic Degree Program, I noticed that while musculoskeletal factors affect many migraine triggers and help some people feel better, it wasn’t the complete solution for all patients. I recognized the importance of a comprehensive approach that takes into account not only musculoskeletal aspects but also the neurological, metabolic, functional, and structural components of the brain and body that are practiced in the field of functional neurology.
Understanding Migraine: An empowering paradigm shift
When I learned about Functional Neurology (also known as Chiropractic Functional Neurology), and the concepts surrounding neuroplasticity, or the ability to positively change the brain by building new networks and pathways, I was excited to see how these concepts could be applied to treating neurological conditions like migraine.
The theories related to migraine and other neurological disorders had evolved significantly up to the point of receiving my education, which helped explain why various treatment options exist nowadays and how each can provide different results across the board for different patients. Initially, migraine was known as a vascular disorder caused by changes in blood flow in the brain. This theory suggests that specific triggers, such as stress or certain foods, can cause brain blood vessels to constrict and dilate, leading to a migraine headache. This vascular theory explains why medications that constrict blood vessels (such as triptans) are often effective in treating migraine headaches.
However, in the 1980s, researchers began to question the vascular theory and suggested that migraine was a neurological disorder involving changes in brain chemistry and electrical activity. This theory, known as the neurovascular theory, explains the intricate interaction between the nervous system and the blood vessels.
The neurovascular theory states that there are specific triggers that activate nerve cells in the brain, which in turn, cause blood vessels to constrict and then dilate, leading to a migraine headache. This theory explains why drugs that target the nervous system and blood vessels (such as Calcitonin Gene-Related Peptide (CGRP) inhibitors) are also effective in treating migraine. More recent research has refined the neurovascular theory and led to the idea that migraine is actually an altered brain state of excitation.
Integrative Wellness: Bridging Neurology and Metabolism
Throughout my journey, I’ve learned that the brain operates through a complex network of nerve cells called neurons, which communicate with each other through electrical and chemical signals. These signals can be either excitatory or inhibitory, depending on their effect on the receiving neuron.
Excitatory Signals
Excitatory signals increase the likelihood that the receiving neuron will fire an action potential or an electrical signal that travels down the length of the neuron. They are mediated by neurotransmitters such as glutamate, bind to specific receptors on the receiving neuron, and open channels that allow positively charged ions, such as sodium, to flow into the neuron. This influx of positive charge depolarizes the neuron and increases its likelihood of firing an action potential.
Inhibitory Signals
Conversely, inhibitory signals work to reduce the probability of a receiving neuron firing an action potential. These signals, governed by neurotransmitters like GABA, attach to designated receptors on the receiving neuron. This interaction opens specific channels, facilitating the entry of negatively charged ions like chloride or the exit of positively charged ions like potassium. As a result, inhibitory signals hyperpolarize the neuron, raising the threshold for triggering an action potential.
Excitatory and Inhibitory Balance
Maintaining a delicate equilibrium between excitatory and inhibitory signals is crucial for optimal brain function. Excessive excitation may result in seizures and various neurological disorders, while an excess of inhibition can lead to sedation and reduced cognitive function. Understanding the balance between these signals is vital for sustaining overall brain health. When this balance is disrupted, creating a hyper-excitable state, it sets off a chain reaction culminating in migraine and other neurological disorders.
How Functional Neurology Can Help
Having heightened activity in specific regions of the outer cortex and deeper brainstem not only affects the brain but also has a direct impact on other organ systems. Because of this, many patients will experience symptoms that involve the digestive, respiratory, and hormonal systems, as well as the production and utilization of neurotransmitters. This is where the practices of functional neurology and applied clinical neuroscience play a role in providing symptomatic relief not only short-term but also long-term, by following certain treatment plans that focus on both the brain and the body.
Connecting the Brain with Other Areas of the Body
As I learned how the brain gets signals from the body and sends them back, it made me curious about how different parts of the brain connect with the rest of the body. Over time, it was empowering to learn how the outer parts of the brain and deeper structures like the brainstem talk to not just the musculoskeletal parts of the body, but also all of the organs and hormone systems in the body. Because of this, functional nutrition also plays a large role in treating neurological conditions like migraine. We can use the ideas from functional neurology and functional nutrition together to help provide relief and treatment to these organs and hormone systems.
As not only a Doctor, but a migraine patient myself, I’ve learned that it is absolutely essential to manage migraine and autonomic dysfunction by addressing these metabolic aspects, which usually include:
- Managing blood sugar stability
- Sleep/wake cycles
- Hormone balance
- Inflammation markers
- Gut health
- Immune dysfunction
There is no specific treatment for migraine. It ultimately depends on your brain, genetic expression, immune and endocrine system, associated conditions, spinal contributions, and history of head trauma. Therefore, each treatment should be custom-tailored to fit what’s best for you as a unique individual. We are excited about what we are doing at Aura Functional Neurology Center and we’re excited to see our field of Functional Neurology grow and positively affect the lives of migraine patients and patients with other neurological disorders like dysautonomia, POTS, concussion, TBI, long COVID, and neurodevelopmental disorders (NDDs).
Dr. Diana Tyler understands there are no two migraine cases alike – so why would migraine treatment for each person be the same?