What is a Concussion?

In simple terms, a concussion is a traumatic brain injury caused by biomechanical forces. It’s synonymous as a mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI), however, mild does not reflect the severity of the injury. It actually reflects the absence of structural damage to the brain, meaning it’s actually chemical damage that is occuring.

What are some of the symptoms of a concussion?

While there are many signs and symptoms of a concussion, it’s best to refer to a medical professional, such as your Chiropractor, so they can provide a full history, physical, and neurological examination.

Signs and symptoms of a concussion can include: Headaches, fogginess, “not feeling right”, sensitivity to light and sounds, neck pain, dizziness, irritability, nervousness/anxiousness, nausea/vomiting, and several others.

If you have one or more of these symptoms after any trauma to your head or neck, it’s best to contact your Chiropractor for a full examination.

How can my chiropractor help?

Your chiropractor will first assess the cause of your concussion. Concussions can respond well to conservative treatment like Chiropractic care and the instructions your Chiropractor provides you.

If your chiropractor decides your concussion can benefit from chiropractic treatment, they may proceed with a few different methods, such as chiropractic adjustments, soft tissue therapy, which works to relax muscles, ligaments, and tendons in order to optimize their function.  Soft tissue therapy can also be used to release scar tissue and functional release, which is used to provide optimal muscular enhancement for function and performance, or several other soft tissue and muscular techniques.

Your chiropractor may also work with another healthcare practitioner to ensure that the treatment chosen is the correct one for you.

Your chiropractor might also advise you of certain postural changes you can make, especially in the upper neck, which could be causing or contributing to your concussion recovery as well.

All concussions are different, and at Calgary Sports Chiropractic Center, we’ll provide a comprehensive history and physical examination to determine the exact cause of your concussion symptoms.