While you may hear concussions talked about a lot, especially in sports, many people don’t realize how serious they are. Concussions are considered mild traumatic brain injuries, and they can occur during any strong impact to the head or a violent shaking back and forth of the head, like during a car crash, a sports collision, or a big fall. The majority of people recover from a concussion easily, but without proper care and attention, concussions can become a significant medical concern. One way to ensure the brain is able to heal from a concussion fully is to seek the care of a Billings chiropractor.
Identifying a Concussion
Many people brush off a concussion because they “feel fine” and do not have any visible injuries. While a concussion can lead to a loss of consciousness or obvious dizziness and confusion, these are typically not as common as other symptoms. This means it is important to look for subtle signs in yourself after an impact, and to ask loved ones to look for signs as well.
Some signs of a concussion will be obvious to you, while others would require an outsider to identify. These include some or all of the following:
- Loss of consciousness
- Dizziness or trouble balancing
- Head shaking immediately after impact
- Confusion and memory problems
- Drowsiness
- Double or blurred vision
- Unusual sensitivity to light or sound
- Vomiting or nausea
- Headaches
- Abnormal eye movement
If you do suspect a concussion, take note of these symptoms and be careful to look for anything that may be worsening. When symptoms are present for more than a few days or become worse, it can be important to seek care. Though concussions rarely lead to permanent brain damage, multiple concussions over time can come with increased risk.
Chiropractic Care for Concussions
A concussion is a brain injury, so you may not immediately think to visit Bare Chiropractic. However, the brain is tied in critical ways to the spine, and recovery from a TBI requires whole-body wellness that makes Dr. Thomas Keogh the perfect provider in these situations.
The most important element of recovering from a concussion is rest for your brain so that it can properly heal. This may involve things like avoiding screens, but it also relies on proper function throughout the body. Adequate blood flow and oxygen are key during this time. The goal of chiropractic adjustments after a concussion will be to remove any nerve interference in your body so that it can heal efficiently.
Chiropractic care can also aid in the resolution of concussion symptoms, which is why athletes rely heavily on chiropractors for their own brushes with the injury. It is also common for the impact that caused a concussion to have affected other parts of the body, which can also be addressed with adjustments for further relief.
The team at Bare Chiropractic will ensure that adjustments after a concussion are gentle and focused on whole-body wellness and the body’s ability to self-heal after a trauma like this. You can contact us today to schedule your first session with Dr. Thomas Keogh!
Sources
Gergen, D.M. “Management of Mild Traumatic Brain Injury Symptoms in a 31-Year-Old Woman Using Cervical Manipulation and Acupuncture: A Case Report.” Journal of Chiropractic Medicine, 2015 Sep; 14(3): 220–224. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4685187/
Olson, H.M., Tunning, M.J., Boesch, R.J. “Chiropractic Management of Musculoskeletal Symptoms in a 14-Year-Old Hockey Player With Postconcussion Symptoms: A Case Report.” Journal of Chiropractic Medicine, 2016 Sep; 15(3): 208–213. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5021900/
