Concussions are nothing new if the current estimates are anything to go by. Statistics indicate that over 200,000 patients get hospitalized every year for concussion-related injuries.
A considerable number of concussion cases remain unreported since many victims recover after one or two weeks.
Even though most concussion cases are mild, lack of proper treatment can lead to severe complications. The injury can have long-term effects on your cognitive functions and possibly cause brain impairment.
A physician may help diagnose the traumatic head injury appropriately. However, if you are battling ongoing symptoms, undergoing chiropractic care might prove helpful.
With that said, understanding the causes, symptoms, and treatment options available can help you know what to do in case of a concussion.
What’s a concussion?
A concussion is a traumatic brain injury (TBI), albeit temporary, often caused by a direct hit to the head, neck, or face.
The blow or bump forces the brain to move inside the skull rapidly, subsequently upsetting the chemical balance and causing temporary brain malfunctions.
Even though concussions are common among active athletes and sportspersons, they can happen to anyone.
Young people aged 24 years and below, and the elderly, aged 75 years and above, are at a higher risk of getting a concussion. You can get a concussion from falling, an assault, a sports injury, self-harm, or a car or bike accident.
Concussion signs and symptoms you need to watch out for
Depending on the extent of the bump, symptoms of a concussion may not be visible at first. Some people take a few days before they realize they have a problem. After all, not all concussions result in the patient passing out or losing consciousness right from the get go.
Signs and symptoms of a concussion can range from mild to severe, and the most common ones include:
- Headache
- Persistent dizziness
- Head pressure
- Fatigue
- Nausea
- Blurry vision
- Sensitivity to light
- Physical imbalance
- Slurred speech
- Struggling to stay awake
- Sleep problems
- Malaise
- Moodiness
- Anxiety
- Confusion
- Mental fogginess
- Memory loss
What to do when you get a concussion?
A mild concussion does not usually require urgent medical attention. Getting plenty of rest and using painkillers can help alleviate most of the symptoms associated with head traumas.
Restrict your screen time and avoid physical activities like sports that could increase the risk of the injury reoccurring.
With proper concussion management, you should expect to recover within one or two weeks. However, make sure that you visit a physician for appropriate examination and ascertain the severity of the injury.
If the concussion is severe, you might need immediate medical assistance.
If left untreated, the head injury might lead to complications such as internal bleeding, brain swelling, or permanent brain damage. In some cases, a concussion can become fatal.
Concussion treatment options
Mild and moderate concussions are easily manageable at home. You only need to have plenty of rest to aid in the recovery process.
However, if you notice the symptoms don’t deteriorate, do not hesitate to seek immediate medical attention.
Lack of appropriate treatment can lead to complications such as post-traumatic headaches, second impact syndrome, vertigo, cerebrospinal fluid leakage, and cognitive impairment among others.
Some of the available treatment options for concussion include:
- Physical and cognitive rest
- Exercise therapy
- Physiotherapy
- Vestibular rehabilitation
- Chiropractic care
All the above treatment methods are effective in dealing with concussions. However, if you are battling ongoing concussion symptoms, chiropractic care might be the ideal choice.
What is chiropractic care?
Chiropractic care is an alternative healthcare practice that focuses on diagnosing and treating various physical injuries that affect your musculoskeletal and nervous systems.
This treatment option addresses the root cause of the problem and its relation to the body.
Chiropractic care is non-invasive, meaning it does not involve surgery or using medications.
Instead of only managing the symptoms, chiropractic care addresses the underlying concerns caused by the condition, subsequently expediting the recovery process.
Treating concussion with chiropractic care
Most conventional treatment options out there focus on the prevention and management of concussion symptoms.
Chiropractic care goes a step further to address the health concerns caused by the concussion, such as headaches, dizziness, muscle pain, and neck and back pain.
Since most concussions result in neck, back, and spinal injuries, chiropractic care works by realigning the affected parts to restore normal bodily functions.
Is Chiropractic care effective in treating concussions?
Chiropractic care has proven to be an effective method of treating the ongoing symptoms of a concussion.
In any case, the main objective of chiropractic care is to unearth the root cause of the dysfunction in your musculoskeletal and nervous systems and address it accordingly.
Some of the benefits of chiropractic care in treating concussions include:
- Reduces or eliminates the need for opioid pain relievers
- Addresses concerns caused by the trauma such as back pain, headaches etc.
- Improves spinal alignment
- Prevents second impact syndrome
- Ensures whole body wellness
- Chiropractic care is non-invasive
Where to get help?
Although most concussions heal after one or two weeks, the symptoms can rage on for weeks or even months after the incident.
Visiting a chiropractic care clinic near you can help identify and treat these symptoms before they get worse.
Hi, I’m Eleena Wills. Being a writer and blogger, I strive to provide informative and valuable articles to people. With quality, constructive, and well-researched articles, one can make informed choices. I cover a wide range of topics, from Health, Beauty and Fashion.