A concussion a type of traumatic brain injury that results from a blow to the head – as in contact sports – or when the head or upper body is shaken violently – during a car crash, for example. Symptoms of a concussion can include: temporary loss of consciousness, headaches, dizziness, nausea, slurred speech, memory loss, problems concentrating, sensitivity to light or sound, etc. Every time someone gets a concussion, the brain is damaged. However, with the correct treatment and rest most concussions can be remedied in a couple weeks to a couple months.

How Can a Chiropractor Help? Although healing the concussion itself is best done while supervised by a qualified doctor, a chiropractor can treat the lingering symptoms that can occur long after the concussion has been resolved. Often, there are secondary injuries sustained when the concussion occurred. Whiplash; neck, should, or back, strains; or muscles sprains can all results from a concussion-causing event and can be treated effectively by a chiropractor. Because these secondary injuries are often overlooked in the immediate urgency to heal the brain, it is important for chiropractors to be involved in resolving a concussion to address muscle, joint, and tissue damage. Finally, someone who has experienced a concussion may have regularly occurring headaches that linger beyond treatment. Chiropractors are more than able to address this using various techniques including alignment and Active Release Techniques.