A concussion is a mild traumatic brain injury (TBI) that can disrupt your daily life in many ways—headaches, dizziness, nausea, and even trouble focusing. Yes, rest is essential, but healing often requires more than just waiting it out.
Chiropractic care provides a hands-on approach to help the body recover naturally, addressing the hidden factors that might prolong your symptoms.
Understanding the Impact of a Concussion
Many people assume concussions only happen when someone takes a direct hit to the head, like in sports or a fall. But that’s not always the case. “Even if someone has a whiplash, even if they haven’t actually hit their head, that’s enough force to create a concussion for the brain,” says Dr. Don. When the head or neck experiences sudden movement, the brain shifts inside the skull, potentially leading to bruising, inflammation, and a cascade of neurological effects.
The Role of Chiropractic Care in Concussion Recovery
Chiropractic treatment focuses on restoring balance to the body, particularly in the neck and skull. If the upper cervical spine is misaligned after a concussion, it can disrupt communication between the brain and body. “When we get that input back up to the brain, it helps to refire all those connections in the neurons so that the brain can become more aware of the body in space,” Dr. Don explains.
By gently adjusting the spine and even the cranial bones, chiropractic care helps relieve tension, improve movement, and support the brain’s recalibration process. The goal isn’t just symptom relief—it’s to ensure the nervous system functions as it should so healing can happen more efficiently.
A Patient’s Path to Healing
One of Dr. Don’s patients, a young woman who played basketball, experienced a concussion after taking a hard hit to the side of her head. The impact affected her sphenoid bone—a crucial structure behind the eyes that connects to other cranial bones. While she no longer suffered from exercise-induced headaches, her vision was deeply affected. Everyday tasks like driving or being in a room with movement overwhelmed her.
Dr. Don identified that her concussion had caused subtle misalignments in her cervical spine and skull. She began to see improvement through precise chiropractic adjustments, including cranial work to relieve the tension in the sphenoid bone. After just three or four visits, she improved and could watch basketball games again without triggering headaches. Though she wasn’t quite ready to drive, her progress was remarkable, and her treatment plan continued to support her recovery.
Providing a Thorough, Personalized Approach
Every concussion is different. Some people recover in a matter of weeks, while others struggle with lingering effects for months. The severity of the injury, the areas affected, and even pre-existing conditions all affect how long recovery takes. That’s why a thorough evaluation is essential.
A chiropractor, like Dr. Don, who has a lot of experience in concussion management, can identify whether misalignments in the spine or skull are slowing your progress. The next step is developing a tailored care plan to help you feel better, faster.
Find the Right Care for Your Concussion
Not all chiropractors focus on concussion treatment, so it’s important to ask questions before booking an appointment. Look for a provider who has experience in post-concussion care.
If you or a loved one are dealing with concussion symptoms, reach out to South Side Chiropractic today. We want to help you take the next step toward feeling like yourself again.
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