Everything to Know About Concussions and Chiropractic Care
What is a concussion?
A concussion is a common, sometimes debilitating brain injury that reflects impairment of brain function. Concussions, or mild traumatic brain injuries, are caused by a rapid movement that forces the brain to move back and forth rapidly inside the skull. This can occur with a direct blow to the head, face, neck, or anywhere on the body that transmits force to the head. This abrupt movement of the brain can lead to changes on a chemical or even cellular level.
Symptoms of a Concussion
Concussions lie on a spectrum from mild to severe, with symptoms varying along the way. Some symptoms will come on immediately while others may not appear for days or even weeks. These symptoms may include:
- Headache
- Head pressure
- Neck pain
- Feeling faint
- Sensitivity to light and noise
- Confusion or brain fog
- Blurry vision
- Dizziness
- Tinnitus (ringing in the ears)
- Memory loss, particularly surrounding the events causing the injury
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Slurred speech or trouble forming words
- Fatigue
- Sleep issues
- Problems with taste and smell
- Lack of concentration
- Irritability
- Anxiety
- Depression
- Mood swings and unusual behaviour changes
Some people begin to feel oppressed by their symptoms as they either won’t go away or continue to get worse. This is called post concussion syndrome (PCS) and can be extremely frustrating to live with. People suffering from PCS tend to stay at home as venturing into the outside world can exacerbate symptoms and keep them in bed for days afterwards. Fortunately, chiropractic care can help with long-term management of concussions.
Diagnosis and Treatment of a Concussion
In the first few days following a concussion, rest is the most important factor in letting your brain recover. While medical doctors should be the first point of contact following a suspected concussion, doctors of chiropractic are also trained to provide immediate diagnoses and assessments. Chiropractors do not just work with the musculoskeletal system; they also work with the neurological system. They are qualified to identify the origin, nature, and cause of diseases and pathologies including traumatic brain injuries.
Your chiropractor will use a variety of techniques to address any vertebral misalignments along your spine and neck. Re-aligning the spine can help to alleviate neck pain, headaches, and other lingering symptoms. While chiropractic care should not replace all other therapies for traumatic brain injuries, it can certainly play a large part in reducing the severity of symptoms and enhancing the effect of other therapeutic care.
Dr. Harmony at Harmony Chiropractic and Wellness Clinic in Kelowna would love to see you for an assessment and treatment of your injury. After providing her with your medical history and symptoms, she will create a treatment plan that is unique to you. It is her goal to get all of her patients feeling their best as soon as possible.
How can you help yourself recover quicker from a concussion?
If you are feeling frustrated by your lack of progress in your recovery, give the following tips a try:
- Reduce screen time
- Limit exposure to bright lights and loud sounds
- Rest
- Stay hydrated
- Eat foods high in protein and antioxidants
Be patient with your recovery. Every concussion is different and everybody reacts to treatment differently. You have already taken the first step in seeking proper care for your symptoms. Have faith in the process and the results will come.
If you need relief from your concussion symptoms, book an appointment with Dr. Harmony in Kelowna here: https://harmonychiropracticclinic.janeapp.com/
OR inquire with any questions you might have here:
https://theharmonyclinic.com/contact-us/
