Concussions are considered a minor traumatic brain injury (mTBI), but don’t let the word minor fool you. There is nothing minor about the symptoms caused by post-concussion syndrome. How common is this condition? What are the symptoms of post-concussion syndrome? How is this condition related to the neck? We will answer all of these questions and provide hope for concussion patients by revealing a natural way that many have been able to find relief.
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Statistics regarding concussions have to be estimated because many people do not seek treatment for this type of injury. For example, according to the Brain Injury Research Institute, there are anywhere from 1.6 to 3.8 million concussions that occur in the US each year, and that figure only includes those caused in sports and recreation activities. Think about how much that number would rise if we include car accidents, slip and fall injuries, assaults, and work-related injuries.
Of course, a person doesn’t end up with post-concussion syndrome simply because they suffer a concussion. However, it is becoming a more common phenomenon. For example, according to Statista, only 7.3% of concussion patients were diagnosed with post-concussion syndrome in 2010, but by 2015 that number had nearly doubled to 13.2%.
If you had an injury to the head, it is possible you had a concussion. In fact, you don’t’ even have to hit your head. If the head is jostled around fast enough, the brain can strike the inside of the skull and cause an mTBI. How can you know if you suffered a concussion? Here is a concussion symptoms list according to the CDC:
The concussion symptoms noted above should not last more than a day or two. If new symptoms appear or grow worse, whether it be in a few days or even months after the injury, post-concussion syndrome may be occurring. The following symptoms are common during post-concussion syndrome, although you only need three symptoms to be present for a diagnosis:
Concussions and the neck are related in more ways than the fact that neck pain can be a symptom of post-concussion syndrome. Consider, for example, the common symptoms that can occur when a person suffers from whiplash. Neck pain, headaches, dizziness, and cognitive problems can all be associated with the aftereffects of whiplash. It just makes sense that the two are related. But how?
The upper cervical spine can provide the answer. Consider the following bodily functions that can be affected when an upper cervical misalignment is present:
If these physiological problems are behind the symptoms, then it makes sense to eliminate the underlying cause – the upper cervical misalignment. How can this be done? Upper cervical chiropractic is a subspecialty of chiropractic care that involves precise measurements of the top two bones of the neck. Then, gentle and long-lasting adjustments are administered. This can give the body the time it needs to heal.
If you have suffered any type of head or neck injury, especially if a concussion occurred, it makes sense to get an examination of the top bones of the spine. These vertebrae are a different shape from the rest of the vertebrae. The difference allows the head a wide range of movement, but it also makes the bones susceptible to misalignment. Since even a fraction of a millimeter can lead to the onset of symptoms, you need a specialist who will be looking for misalignments in this area of the neck. Upper cervical chiropractors use diagnostic techniques that can pinpoint misalignments down to hundredths of a degree.
If you have a history of trauma, whether it is from a sports injury, a car accident, or another type trauma, find an upper cervical practitioner near you today. A no-obligation consultation may put you back on the road to recovery.
TV show host Montel Williams describes how specific chiropractic care has helped his body.
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.