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Welcome to Lake Norman Neurology!

We have 5 locations with a total of 8 Board Certified Neurologists.

About Us

Specialty: Neurology, Sleep Medicine

Our physicians utilize the latest technology to diagnose and treat complicated neurologic conditions. Our patient-centered approach to treatment options is a comfort to our patients and their families.

Lake Norman Neurology welcomes new patients from ages 2 years through adult by appointment. Many of our patients are referred to us by their primary care providers, but a referral isn’t always necessary. Please call our office if you have specific questions or would like to schedule an appointment.

Our physicians are available after office hours for emergencies only. If you have an urgent situation, please call 704-662-6052 and leave a message for the doctor on call. If you feel the condition is serious or life threatening, we recommend you call 911 or go to the emergency room immediately.

For answers to questions or other non-emergent needs after our normal office hours, please leave a message on our answering machine, and we will return your call the following business day.

What You Should Bring to Your Appointment

For your first appointment, please print and fill out the new patient packet on our website. Be sure to bring a list of your current medications and your insurance cards to every appointment.

All co-payments are due at the time of service. Though we accept most insurance plans, we recommend you contact your insurance company or call our office for confirmation. All patients currently without insurance will need to pay the full payment at the time of the appointment. If you have any questions about patient forms, insurance or payment options, please contact our practice manager at 704-799-8413. We are happy to help.

If for any reason you are unable to keep your scheduled appointment, please call 704-662-3077 and choose option 5 to reschedule or cancel. We will also confirm your appointment via our telephone automated system, please be sure to listen to the message and select the best option. We ask for at least a 24-hour notice when changing or cancelling an appointment. Appointments not kept or not cancelled ahead of time may be subject to a $50 cancellation fee.

Patient Forms:

Please download the following forms and bring them filled out prior to your first appointment.

We also ask that you bring a list of your current medications and your insurance cards to every appointment.

Locations

124 Professional Park Drive, Suite A, Mooresville, NC 28117

340 Signal Hill Dr, Suite A, Statesville, NC 28625

6060 Piedmont Row Drive South, Charlotte, NC 28210

9735 Kincey Avenue Suite 203, Huntersville, NC 28078

2660 Tate Blvd, Hickory, NC 28602

Andrew Braunstein, DO

Undergraduate Education
Wake Forest University School of Medicine
Winston-Salem, North Carolina

Graduate Education
Nova Southeastern University School of Medicine
Fort Lauderdale, Florida

Fellowship
Wake Forest University School of Medicine
Winston-Salem, North Carolina
Epilepsy and Sleep Medicine

Certifications
American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology
American Board of Sleep Medicine

Associations
American Academy of Neurology

Ryan Conrad, MD

Undergraduate Education
Indiana University
Bloomington, IN

Graduate Education
Indiana University School of Medicine
Indianapolis, IN

Internship
Indiana University School of Medicine
Indianapolis, IN

Residency
Indiana University School of Medicine
Indianapolis, IN

Certifications
American Board of Psychiatry, Neurology and Sleep Medicine

Craig D DuBois, MD

Undergraduate Education
University of Dayton
Dayton, Ohio

Graduate Education
Ohio State University College of Medicine
Columbus, Ohio

Certifications
American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology

Associations
American Academy of Neurology

Roderick I. Elias, MD

Undergraduate Education
Tufts University
Medford, MA

Graduate Education
Tufts University School of Medicine
Boston, MA

Internship
University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey (Rutgers University)
New Brunswick, NJ

Residency
Rhode Island Hospital (Brown University)
Providence, RI

Fellowship
Rhode Island Hospital (Brown University)
Providence, RI
Multiple Sclerosis and Neuroimmunology Fellowship

Kurt R. Washburn, MD

Undergraduate Education
University of Notre Dame
Notre Dame, IN

Graduate Education
Loyola University Stritch School of Medicine
Maywood, IL

Fellowship
Clinical Neurophysiology Fellow
Rush-Presbyterian-St. Luke’s Medical Center
Chicago, IL

Residency
Neurology Co-Chief Resident
Rush-Presbyterian-St. Luke’s Medical Center
Chicago, IL

Neurology Residency
Rush-Presbyterian-St. Luke’s Medical Center
Chicago, IL

Transitional Year Residency
MacNeal Hospital
Berwyn, IL

Catherine A. Weymann, MD

Undergraduate Education
Oberlin College
Oberlin, Ohio

Graduate Education
University of Arizona College of Medicine
Tucson, Arizona

Residency
Case-Western Reserve University System
Cleveland, Ohio

Certifications
Board Certified in Neurology
Board Certified in Neuroimaging

Matthew C. Carraro, MD

Undergraduate Education
University of Wisconsin
Madison, Wisconsin

Graduate Education
The Ohio State University College of Medicine
Columbus, OH

Internship
The Ohio State University Department of Internal Medicine
Columbus, OH

Residency
The Ohio State University Department of Neurology
Columbus, OH

Fellowship
Riverside Methodist Hospital (Ohio Health)
Columbus, OH
• Multiple Sclerosis, Neuroimmunology and Demyelinating Disorders
• lntrathecal baclofen pump management for severe spasticity

Bridgette Cooke, PA-C

Undergraduate Education
Caldwell Community College
Hudson, NC

Florida Hospital College Health and Science
Orlando, FL

Graduate Education
Lenoir Rhyne University
Hickory, NC

Certifications
NCCPA Certified Physician Assistant

Brianna Pockette, PA-C

Undergraduate Education
North Carolina State University
Raleigh, NC

Graduate Education
Lenoir Rhyne University
Hickory, NC

Sarah Martinez, PA-C

Undergraduate Education
University of Nevada, Reno
Reno, NV

Graduate Education
Boston University School of Medicine
Boston, MA

Kelly Holmes, DNP

Undergraduate Education
Catawba Valley Community College
Hickory, NC

Lenoir-Rhyne University
Hickory, NC

Graduate Education
Lenoir-Rhyne University
Hickory, NC

Our practice is dedicated to the diagnosis and treatment of diseases, injuries, and disorders that affect the nervous system in patients ages 2 through adult. The nervous system is very complex and regulates and coordinates body activities. The nervous system is classified in two divisions:

  • Central nervous system – consisting of the brain and spinal cord.
  • Peripheral nervous system – consisting of all other neural elements.

Principal organs are also related to the nervous system and can include: eyes and ears; sensory organs of taste and smell; and other sensory receptors in the skin, joints, muscles and other parts of the body.

Neurological conditions are many times caused by damage to the nervous system including: infections, injury, degeneration, tumors, blood flow disruption and other internal and external influences.

Additional Resources:

We recommend these reputable links for more information on neurological conditions:

Our physicians treat a wide range of conditions.
Some of the most common conditions we see are:

Alzheimer's Disease

Alzheimer’s disease is a disease that attack’s the brain’s nerve cells and neurons. The end result is degeneration of memory, thinking and language abilities. It is also consistent with behavioral changes due to frequent confusion. While although this disease has no known cure, many medicinal advancements can help slow the progression of the disease. We work with patients and their families to help diagnose and manage this debilitating disease and offer support and guidance for long term care issues.

Sleep Disorders

The lack of quality sleep can have consequences to your overall health. The most common types of sleep disorders include insomnia (difficulty falling asleep; mind’s inability to shut off); sleep apnea (a condition where your breathing stops during the night); narcolepsy (uncontrollable daytime sleepiness); as well as other sleep disturbances. The neurologists at Lake Norman Neurology are experienced in diagnosing and treating sleep disorders to help put patients on track for more successful sleep patterns and better health.

Multiple Sclerosis

Multiple Sclerosis or (MS) is a disease that usually surfaces between the ages of 20 – 40. MS causes the body to attack itself, specifically the fatty cell coating on the nerves in the brain, spinal cord and eyes called myelin. When this happens, the nerves become scarred preventing proper communication between the nerves to the rest of the body. The symptoms and severity of this condition vary between each individual and can include vision problems, cognitive issues, fatigue, balance, pain, muscle spasms and depression. The physicians at Lake Norman Neurology are experienced in diagnosing MS and providing long-term management of the disease.

Epilepsy

Epilepsy is a condition when a “change” in the brain causes it to generate signals that cause repeated seizures over time. Epileptic seizures can vary in severity and can be unpredictable. Some medications can help manage the seizures, but the condition should be managed by an experienced neurologist to help minimize the effects of the disease and provide steps to a more normal lifestyle.

Migraines / Headaches

Headaches originate by brain, blood vessel and nerve stimulation which cause brain signals to transmit pain. Headaches and migraines can have a wide-range of causes from illnesses, stress, trauma, alcohol, dehydration, hormone imbalance, to name a few. Migraines can be quite severe and debilitating and are generally accompanied by sensitivity to light and sound.

Parkinson's Disease

Parkinson’s Disease is a progressive disorder affecting the body’s movement as a result of the malfunction or “death” of nerve cells in the brain that help control certain movements. Parkinson’s is typically characterized by muscle tremors or rigidity, unstable balance and poor coordination. There is presently no cure, but proper medical management of the disease can help improve the symptoms.

Muscle & Nerve Disorders

Nerve disorders that affect the muscles are called neuromuscular disorders. Symptoms of some muscle and nerve conditions may include: muscle tremors, pain and cramping. Some more common nerve disorders include spinal muscular atrophy (nerves affected in the spinal cord); myasthenia gravis (an autoimmune disease that affect nerve function); multiple sclerosis (a disease that attacks the fatty cells surrounding nerves in your brain, eyes and spinal cord); and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (a disease that attacks the neurons in your brain and spinal cord).

Stroke

A stroke occurs when the flow of blood is blocked to a portion of the brain. This can occur if the vessel itself hemorrhages and erupts or leaks (a hemorrhagic stroke) or if the flow itself is blocked (an ischemic stroke). Blockage typically occurs from a blood clot that prevents the flow of blood to a portion of the brain. The effects of a stroke can be severe and even fatal if not tended to immediately. Symptoms of a stroke may include: sudden paralysis of the face, arms or legs, trouble speaking or confusion, blurred vision or numbness of the arms, legs and face.

Whether at risk for a stroke or recovering from a stroke, Lake Norman Neurology physicians can help guide recovery and help reduce the chances of experiencing a stroke (or a reoccurrence) with proper medical management.

Some Common Procedures We Provide:

Ambulatory EEG's

Ambulatory Electroencephalography Monitoring (AEEG) is a new method of technology used to track and record epilepsy seizures. It is a clear method for diagnosing epilepsy in patients as well as recording the frequency and severity of the seizures for a set period of time, generally in a 72- hour window. AEEG’s help record attacks, even though a patient may be unaware of them. This is especially effective in patients who are otherwise unable to report their occurrences of attack due to their ability to speak or convey themselves.

EMG/NCV

An EMG (electromyogram) measures the amount of electrical activity in your muscles while they are resting and contracted. A nerve conduction velocity (NCV) measures how quickly electrical signals move through the nerves. EMG’s are used to test for diseases that might affect muscle tissue, nerves or joints. It is also helpful in pinpointing the source of weakness, paralysis or muscle spasms. A NCV is used to find damage to the nervous system – specifically the nerves leaving the brain and spinal column extending to other parts of the body. The neurologists at Lake Norman Neurology can determine if an EMG or NCV would be helpful in diagnosing symptoms of an underlying condition or disease.

Botox Injections

Botox is a neurotoxin injected under the skin into an over-active muscle by a small needle to help relax it. There are many neuromuscular disorders that Botox can help treat on a temporary basis. Botox treatments can be used to help some disorders involving muscle spasms or contractions, specifically those involving facial muscles. Before using Botox for any movement disorders, our neurologists discuss the benefits and risks of the injections to see if it is a viable treatment option for the individual patient.

Occipital Nerve Blocks

An occipital nerve block is a steroid injection (or other type of medication) around the occipital nerves (nerves located in the back of the head positioned just above the neck). The primary purpose of an occipital nerve block is to bring relief to certain types of headaches and migraines. The blocks can help reduce inflammation around the nerves and thus help alleviate the extreme pain.

Trigger Point Injections

Trigger points are “knots” that form in the muscles where they don’t relax. Usually these knots can be felt under the skin and can irritate the surrounding nerves and tissue. A trigger point injection is a needle insertion into the knot where saline, anesthetic or a corticosteroid is released. The injection can help release the trigger point allowing for tension and pain relief. Trigger point injections are often used for patients with tension headaches and fibromyalgia, though it can be used with any muscle groups.

At Lake Norman Neurology we strive to provide the best quality of service, and our sleep clinic is no different. We offer:

  • A philosophy that emphasizes customer service with patient education and choice. Your time and your opinions are important to us!
  • Experienced Sleep Medicine Physicians – Andrew Braunstein, DO, and Ryan Conrad, MD, are both certified by the American Board of Sleep Medicine.
  • Various testing and treatment options for sleep disorders such as snoring and obstructive sleep apnea.
  • A comfortable, patient friendly environment for both clinical and laboratory purposes.
Snoring

Snoring occurs when the tissues in the throat relax, partially blocking the airway where they then vibrate to create the signature snoring sound. Snoring can be caused from several different things including body weight, alcohol consumption, poor sleep posture, large tongue or tonsils, septum conditions and other contributing factors that may make it difficult to breath while asleep.

Narcolepsy and other Hypersomnias

Hypersomnia is a condition causing one to experience extreme fatigue during the day and inadequate healthy sleep and rest at night. Hypersomnia is may be classified as primary and secondary. Primary hypersomnia is excessive fatigue during the day with no known cause. Secondary hypersomnia is caused by some other underlying medical condition that prevents a full night’s rest.

Narcolepsy is also excessive sleepiness during the day, however it’s accompanied with uncontrollable and sudden periods of falling asleep regardless of the activity the patient might be participating in at the time. With narcolepsy, REM (Rapid Eye Movement) – or the period of “deep” sleep – comes nearly immediately. In normal sleep patterns REM sleep it’s achieved after about 90 minutes of sleep. The cause for narcolepsy is also not known. There are treatments to help hypersomnia and narcolepsy conditions. The sleep specialists at Lake Norman Neurology can help diagnose daytime sleep issues as well as help take the steps towards a more restful and comfortable sleep pattern at night.

Parasomnias

Parasomnias are a group of abnormal activities that occur while asleep, falling asleep or waking up such as sleepwalking, sleep eating, night terrors, and REM behavior disorder. There is typically no memory of the occurrences except in the case of night terrors (some patients are able to recall a portion of the intense nightmare that woke them up). Stress, genetics, age (as many of these occur primarily in young children), post-traumatic stress, medicinal side effects, drugs, alcohol and other factors may contribute to parasomnia behavior.

Nocturia

Nocturia is another name for frequent urination during the night. Most people are able to sleep uninterrupted for six to eight hours without the urgency of having to urinate waking them up. Patients with nocturia often get up during the night to urinate. The cause could be related to a lifestyle choice such as excessive alcohol or caffeine intake; a urinary tract infection; sleep apnea. Nocturia could be related to more serious underlying medical causes such as bladder prolapse, sphincter disorders, enlarged prostate and bladder or prostate cancer. In any case, nocturia should be evaluated by a medical provider to determine the cause of the condition and develop a treatment plan.

Sleep Apnea

Sleep apnea is a sleep disorder that occurs when one stops breathing all together while sleeping. For those suffering from sleep apnea, breathing tends to be shallow and is often accompanied by very heavy snoring. This condition can have effects on one’s daily life as well as long term effects on health. The sleep medicine physicians at Lake Norman Neurology can help diagnose and treat sleep apnea through physical exams and sleep studies.

Insomnia

Insomnia is defined as trouble falling or staying asleep. Those who suffer from insomnia have poor quality of sleep and can have other health problems due to lack of restorative sleep. Insomnia can either be acute, brought on by environmental changes like stress from life events, or it can be chronic, caused also by a traumatic life event that spans more than just a short period of time. Chronic insomnia can also be the side effect of a medical condition or as an adverse effect to a medication. Lifestyle changes, sleep patterns and other options can help treat insomnia.

Restless Leg Syndrome (RLS) & Periodic Limb Movement Disorder (PLMD)

RLS and PLMD often occur together within the same patient and both can be contributors to insomnia and parasomnia. PLMD is an involuntary movement of the toes, legs or even arms in either small or thrashing movements. RLS is a sensation that occurs that can only be satisfied with the movement of the legs. RLS, however, can occur during the day as well. The developmental risk of both of these conditions increases with age. In most cases, medical management greatly reduces the occurrences of these uncomfortable conditions.

Nocturnal Seizures

Nocturnal seizures are similar to epilepsy only they occur during sleep. Most of the nocturnal seizures occur right after falling asleep and before the stages of REM (Rapid Eye Movement). Sleep deprivation or poor sleep patterns can be triggers for nocturnal seizures. Developing a healthy sleep routine is important for controlling sleep seizures, though medication is often also needed to assist with the sleep disorder.

Whether at risk for a stroke or recovering from a stroke, Lake Norman Neurology physicians can help guide recovery and help reduce the chances of experiencing a stroke (or a reoccurrence) with proper medical management.

Lake Norman Neurology is one of the few practices in the region to offer an in-office infusion suite. Infusion is supervised by our highly trained team of doctors and nurses and is well suited for patients who do not need to be admitted to the hospital for their therapy.

Many of our patients with a variety of conditions benefit from intravenous infusion therapy. Infusion is available in all three of our locations. We monitor our patients throughout the infusion process, and our physicians address any possible side effects as they occur.

Infusion Suites

Infusions are a critical part of the treatment plan for a wide range of health issues, including many neurological conditions. Your physician may order infusion therapy as an alternative to oral medications.

Our infusion suite is a dedicated space where patients can receive their treatment in comfort and privacy. A range of medications are commonly administered intravenously for the treatment of many conditions. For example, multiple sclerosis may be treated with infusions of medications including Tysabri, Ocrevus, Lemtrada and Rituxan. We also infuse IVIg (intravenous immunoglobulin), Entyvio and Remicade.

Conditions that may be treated with infusion therapy include:

  • Multiple sclerosis
  • Guillain-Barre syndrome
  • Myasthenia Gravis
  • Crohns
  • Rheumatoid arthritis
  • Ulcerative colitis

What Should I Expect From an Infusion Suite?

The process of receiving treatment at one of Lake Norman Neurology’s in-office infusion suites is designed to be as comfortable and quick as possible. When you arrive for your appointment, you’ll get settled in a reclining armchair before a member of our skilled RN infusion staff starts the treatment. While the medication is administered, feel free to watch a movie, read, access our wifi or just relax. A variety of snacks and drinks are available.

Because infusion suites are attached to our offices, our physicians are always nearby. Patients receiving infusions are closely monitored by our nurses and doctors. After your treatment, our staff will make sure you’re not having any adverse reactions before you head home.

Lake Norman Neurology is one of the few practices in our region that allows patients to get the intravenous medications they need in the comfort and privacy of an infusion suite. For your convenience, we offer infusion services in all of our locations. Feel free to call our office with any questions.

When referring a patient to our suites please call 704-799-8413. Infusions require insurance benefit investigation and authorization. Our Lake Norman Neurology Infusion team will be handling that to make the process as smooth as possible.