Chiropractic and Concussions

What is a concussion? 
A concussion is the mildest form of traumatic brain injury. Usually occurs after a blow to the head or after whiplash causes fast shaking of the head and brain. The brain is a soft organ inside a hard shell, and when hit, it can bounce around and cause bruising. (think of Jell-O in a mold).  They are very common – about 3.8 million per year are reported in the US, and over 100k are in children.  

They are very hard to understand because they don’t have outward symptoms – like a sprained ankle. No imaging can diagnose it, is based on how the person feels. This is especially hard when treating kids.   


What does one feel when they have a concussion?
Headache, Dizziness, pain in the neck muscles, trouble concentrating, nausea, vomiting, irritability, vision changes, problems concentrating, ringing in the ears, numbness and tingling, problems sleeping and LOC 
Every brain injury is a cervical spine injury 
Studies show that adjusting the cervical spine can help with decreasing the severity of concussion symptoms. They do this by increasing blood flow to and from the brain.  Cervical adjustments also help to increase drainage of CSF.  In addition, it can relieve pressure on the brain stem 


What can Chiropractors do to help a person following a concussion? 
The first thing that we do is to perform a thorough history and exam.  Evaluate, and refer out for proper co-management and physical therapy, balance training and vision therapy 
We then adjust the spine and treat the patient like they have a whiplash injury. We also use adjunctive therapies in the office, such as electric muscle stimulation, muscle work and cranial therapy.  Also, there are many supplements that can be recommended to support healing and decrease inflammation in the brain.  
 
My Daughter’s Head Injury: 
She was an 11-yr old hockey player who was illegally checked into the boards.  She hit the back of her head on the glass and immediately came off the bench.  She was crying, had an immediate headache, problems with her memory. She was taken back to the locker room and evaluated. 
She was taken to urgent care to rule out a brain bleed, and then started care with a concussion specialist at TCO. I performed cranial work that day, gentle “adjustment” of C1, started supplements immediately. Arnica (to reduce pain and inflammation), Omega 3 FA – Fish oils (only use if there is no brain bleed), Inflamma tone -(homeopathic remedy to reduce inflammation), Neurotrophin PMG and Ribonucleaic Acid (whole food supplements to support the brain).

Please, reach out to our office or your local chiropractor for care immediately following a concussion or other minor head injury,   We can help!