Chiropractic Help for Concussions
By Sara Butler
The chiropractors at The Joint Chiropractic encourage their patients to work movement into their day. That may mean you take walks, you go for a jog, or you participate in sports. When you're playing sports that include physical contact, you run the risk of suffering a concussion -- which is a common injury. This type of injury is serious and it's very important you know the steps to take if you or someone you know suffers this type of injury. Here's what the chiropractors at The Joint want you to know about concussions and how they can help.
The Cause
Concussions are caused by a direct blow to the neck, face, head, or anywhere else in the body that results in force to your head. You can get a concussion from falling, from a car accident, from falling off a bike or from bodily contact and collisions while playing sports. Any kind of jarring contact can precipitate a concussion.
How It's Diagnosed
The diagnosis of a concussion isn't quite as cut and dry as you may think. That's because the signs and symptoms associated with concussions can change over time. The actual diagnosis of a concussion is based on several different symptoms assessed by the chiropractor, such as:
- Headache
- Loss of consciousness
- Balance issues
- Confusion
- Slowed reaction times
- Difficulty concentrating
- Irritability or other behavioral changes
The Treatment
The most important thing about treating a concussion is rest after a proper diagnosis has been done. After resting for a period of time determined by the chiropractor, you can slowly increase your exertion levels before returning to your regular daily activities.
According to the American Chiropractic Association, up to 90 percent of concussions can resolve themselves in a relatively short period of time, usually about one week to 10 days. For children and adolescents, the recovery time may take longer.
Chiropractors work closely with many sports teams to be the first line of response to injuries that can occur on the field of play. Of course, when playing intramural sports you likely don't have a chiropractor right on hand, which makes it even more important to seek treatment if you suspect a concussion.
If you are worried you or someone you know may have a concussion, don't delay seeking help. Come into The Joint today for an assessment and to begin immediate treatment. Your brain is arguably your most important organ, so trust it to chiropractors at The Joint to help you care for your central nervous system!
To learn more about your health, wellness, and fitness, see your local chiropractor at The Joint Chiropractic in Fort Worth, Tex.