Chiropractic Care for Concussions
By Donna Kostiew
If you or your child is suffering from post-concussion syndrome, it can be scary. The thoughts running through your head are all-consuming. Will I ever feel the same again? Why is my recovery taking so long? How can I encourage my child to rest and turn off all of the electronics without driving us all crazy? The incredible slowness of the recovery process might bring about periods of doubt and depression. The visits to all the medical specialists can be taxing to all of those involved.
I have been there. I have experience with concussions and I have experience with the feeling of desperation while searching for that “ever-so-slowly” end result of relief. My perspective comes from being a parent of a fearless soccer goalie, a sweet girl whose skills on the field and in the goal box were second nature to her. She was always a joy to watch, and I say “was” because she had to quit the sport she loved due to that insidious, invisible injury that we have all heard about.
It seems that we all know somebody who has had a concussion … but the tales from long ago when you “just rubbed some dirt on it” and went back into play, to now, are strikingly different. Nowadays, there are rules, protocols, treatment plans, and alternative therapies. My daughter saw all sorts of medical specialists and found moments of relief here and there, but it took us two years filled with daily migraines and difficulties in school before we finally found a successful combination of treatments that have, so far, shown promising results. These treatments not only come from her neurologist, but her chiropractor as well.
Chiropractic Care for Concussions? Absolutely!
Her neurologist focuses on the management of her migraines, whereas her chiropractor addresses the symptoms that interrupted her focus at school every single day and only seemed to exacerbate her headaches even more. These symptoms were:
- Dizziness
- Nausea
- Balance problems
- Sensitivity to motion
- Neck pain
Since a concussion is typically caused by a direct blow to the head, neck or face, it’s likely that it has also caused joint dysfunction of the cervical spine. A chiropractor can evaluate for signs similar to whiplash that are commonly associated with concussions, and provide treatment for relief of those symptoms being presented.
Chiropractic adjustments have been shown to work very well with concussion patients by providing a definite and direct benefit to those needing post-concussion therapy. We have seen noticeable improvements in regards to the way my daughter feels since implementing the treatments suggested by her chiropractor, so if you are experiencing similar symptoms, and continue to struggle every day, I would encourage you to seek treatment. It could potentially save you or your child from suffering any longer than needed.
To learn how regular chiropractic care can help with post-concussion treatment, contact your local chiropractor at The Joint Chiropractic, in Culver City, Calif.