Concussion: Recognition, Recovery, and Chiropractic Care

Concussion — also called mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI) — is caused by a bump, blow, or jolt to the head that causes the brain to move rapidly within the skull. It is common in contact sports, motor vehicle accidents, and falls. Proper recognition and management of concussion are critical, as returning to activity too soon can result in second-impact syndrome — a potentially catastrophic recurrence before the first concussion has healed.

Recognizing a Concussion

Concussion symptoms vary widely and may not all be present in a given patient:

• Headache or pressure in the head
• Dizziness, balance problems, or nausea
• Blurred or double vision
• Sensitivity to light or noise
• Feeling slowed down, "foggy," or confused
• Memory problems (difficulty remembering the impact or events around it)
• Sleep disturbances (sleeping more or less than usual)
• Mood changes, irritability, or anxiety

Importantly, loss of consciousness occurs in fewer than 10% of concussions and is not required for the diagnosis.

The Role of Chiropractic in Concussion Recovery

Many concussion patients have a concurrent cervical spine injury from the same impact that caused the concussion. Cervical dysfunction can contribute to post-concussion headaches, dizziness, visual disturbances, and cognitive fog through its effects on cervical proprioception and vertebrobasilar blood flow. Chiropractic treatment of the cervical component — after the acute concussion phase has resolved and medical clearance is obtained — can significantly accelerate symptom resolution.

Important Caution

Acute concussion requires medical evaluation and management. Chiropractic treatment of the cervical spine is not appropriate in the acute phase immediately following concussion. Our doctors work within appropriate clinical timelines and will coordinate with your medical physician to ensure safe, appropriately timed intervention.