Treating Concussions with Chiropractic Care

Concussions are often misunderstood as minor injuries that can be brushed off, but they are actually complex brain injuries that require careful management and treatment. From a chiropractic and holistic perspective, concussion care involves not just addressing the immediate symptoms but also supporting the body’s overall healing process.

What is a Concussion?

A concussion is a type of traumatic brain injury (TBI) caused by a bump, blow, or jolt to the head or by a hit to the body that causes the head and brain to move rapidly back and forth in the skull. This sudden movement of the brain in the skull creates chemical changes and alters brain cell function. 

What Are the Symptoms of a Concussion?

A concussion is typically an “invisible” injury. In other words, you may feel different, but on the outside, you look the same. A concussion can affect you in several different ways. The symptoms of a concussion can vary widely depending on the individual and the severity of the injury. Some of the most common symptoms include:

• • Headaches: Often described as a dull ache or pressure in the head.
  • Dizziness and Balance Issues: Feeling lightheaded or unsteady on your feet.
  • Nausea and Vomiting: Particularly in the immediate aftermath of the injury.
  • Confusion and Memory Loss: Difficulty remembering events before or after the injury.
  • Sensitivity to Light and Noise: Increased discomfort or pain in bright or loud environments.
  • Excessive Fatigue: Feeling unusually tired or lacking energy.
  • Mood Changes: Irritability, depression, or anxiety.
  • Sleep Disturbances: Trouble falling asleep, staying asleep, or sleeping more than usual.
  • Ringing in the ears: (Also known as Tinnitus) This can vary from mild to disruptive. 

These symptoms can appear immediately after the injury or may develop over time. It’s important to note that even if symptoms seem mild, they should not be ignored, as they can indicate underlying brain trauma. If you have experienced a concussion and notice an increase in symptoms, you should stop the aggravating activity and seek medical attention.

How is a Concussion Commonly Treated?

Traditional treatment for concussions typically involves rest and symptom management. The primary goal is to allow the brain time to heal, which often means changing your physical and cognitive activity. This might include modifying sports, heavy exercise, and activities that require intense concentration, such as reading or using electronic devices.

Medications like pain relievers may be prescribed to manage symptoms like headaches, but they do not address the underlying brain injury. In more severe cases, patients may be referred to specialists such as neurologists or neuropsychologists for further evaluation and management.

While rest is a crucial component of concussion recovery, it’s not always sufficient on its own. Persistent symptoms, also known as post-concussion syndrome (PCS), can linger for weeks or even months after the initial injury. In such cases, a more comprehensive approach to treatment may be necessary.

What Can a Chiropractor Do to Treat a Concussion?

We often get the question “can a chiropractor treat concussions?”. Chiropractors can approach concussion care from a holistic perspective, integrating chiropractic care with nutrition and lifestyle to support the body’s natural healing processes. Our goal is to address not just the symptoms of a concussion, but also the underlying causes of prolonged recovery and to support overall brain health. This includes a variety of modalities. 

Chiropractic Care

Chiropractic care plays a vital role in concussion management by addressing musculoskeletal issues that may arise from the injury. They will create a personalized treatment plan for you, based on your specific symptoms and injury. 

Spinal Realignment

Concussion can lead to neck injuries, such as whiplash, which can exacerbate symptoms like headaches and dizziness. Through gentle spinal adjustments, chiropractors can help restore proper alignment and reduce tension in the neck and upper back, which in turn can alleviate some of the symptoms associated with concussions.

Nervous System Function

Chiropractic care can improve overall nervous system function, which is crucial in the recovery process. By ensuring that the spine and nervous system are functioning optimally, chiropractic care can help the brain heal more efficiently.

Holistic Approach

Chiropractors can provide a comprehensive assessment after injury to improve healing outcomes. Within a multidisciplinary team, a Chiropractor can partner with a Functional Medicine physician, Physical Therapist, Massage Therapist, Acupuncturist, or Nutritionist to further support your healing.

Nutrition and Lifestyle Support

Proper nutrition is essential for brain health, especially during recovery from a concussion. Emphasize the importance of a diet rich in anti-inflammatory foods, such as fruits, vegetables, and omega-3 fatty acids, which can support the brain’s healing processes. In some cases, specific supplements that have been shown to support brain health, such as magnesium, curcumin, and antioxidants can be beneficial. 

In addition to dietary support, developing lifestyle strategies that promote recovery can help to better support your healing. This can include sleep hygiene, stress management techniques, and gradual reintroduction to physical activity.

Returning to Normal After a Concussion

If you have experienced a concussion, know that it takes time to return to your normal activities. Some people may feel symptom free in about 3 days, but the brain continues to show nerve signal changes for up to 30 days.

Think of your brain as a train or bus station with a lot of incoming and outgoing traffic. Without an injury, your brain can handle rush hour traffic conditions – lots of noise, moving parts, a flurry of activity. With an injury, your brain can only handle off-peak conditions –overall quieter and fewer things happening at once. Simply put, your brain needs time to heal and build up the ability to handle the traffic that comes in and out.

The key to returning to normal is graded exposure.  Here are some ways you can ease your way back into your normal activities:

At Home

• Limit visual activities such as TV or computer time to 30-45 min and take frequent breaks if you start to feel a headache or other symptoms come on. If you can’t handle 30 minutes at a time, start with shorter intervals and build up your endurance.
• Listen to audio-books instead of reading a book to reduce eye strain/fatigue.
• Space out your errands throughout your week so your brain is not overwhelmed with all the input.
• Enlist the help of a loved one if the daily activities are overwhelming.

At Work

• Work in a quiet space without fluorescent lighting.
• Avoid busy visual backgrounds including vertical/horizontal blinds or bookshelves.
• Use your lunch to decompress and give your eyes and brain a break.

In Your Social Life

• Keep in contact with friends who are supportive of what you are experiencing.
• Limit social activities to small groups or 1 to 1 and limit the time to one to two hours. Eventually you can increase this time as you feel better.

It’s important to keep an open line of communication with your healthcare team—including your chiropractor—so we can understand your symptoms, align on your treatment plan, and support you in achieving a safe and effective recovery.

Conclusion

Concussions are complex injuries that require careful, holistic management. At Vida Integrated Health, in Seattle, Washington and the greater Seattle area, we offer a comprehensive approach to concussion care that includes chiropractic care, functional medicine, nutritional support, and other therapeutic modalities. Our goal is to support the body’s natural healing processes, alleviate symptoms, and help our patients regain their full health and well-being. If you or a loved one has experienced a concussion, contact us for personalized care and support.