A study involving concussions and post-concussion patients showed that rest is not necessarily the best medicine. In fact, the study revealed that patients who took a week off to recover following a concussion were more likely to develop post-concussion symptoms.
According to the study, when physical activity resumed before one week, nearly a third of patients showed no ongoing symptoms and just under half had 3 or more post-concussion symptoms that were continuing to worsen. When patients waited the full 7 days to resume activity, 80% experienced 3 or more ongoing symptoms. At the end of 28 days, patients underwent examination again, and 40% of those who rested still experienced symptoms while fewer than one-third who returned to activity earlier still experienced difficulties.
Post-concussion symptoms may include:
One less considered factor in recovery from a head injury is the fact that a concussion often leads to an upper cervical misalignment. Why is this a significant oversight? A misalignment of the atlas and axis (C1 and C2) can cause the conditions that create all of the above symptoms, especially neck pain, headaches, and vertigo.
This is because the atlas sits right at the base of the skull where the brainstem meets the spinal cord. Misalignment can put pressure on the brainstem and shift other vertebrae that then place pressure on the spinal cord. This leads to even more symptoms. The uppermost vertebrae in the spine also facilitate blood flow to the brain and the proper drainage of cerebrospinal fluid.
An upper cervical chiropractor can identify and correct these specific misalignments with gentle precision. For many, that has led to a resolution of symptoms, even when the injury has occurred a number of years ago. If you have suffered a concussion—recently or in the past—schedule a consult today to ensure the correction of any misalignments.
The content and materials provided in this web site are for informational and educational purposes only and are not intended to supplement or comprise a medical diagnosis or other professional opinion, or to be used in lieu of a consultation with a physician or competent health care professional for medical diagnosis and/or treatment. All content and materials including research papers, case studies and testimonials summarizing patients' responses to care are intended for educational purposes only and do not imply a guarantee of benefit. Individual results may vary, depending upon several factors including age of the patient, severity of the condition, severity of the spinal injury, and duration of time the condition has been present.
