Suffering from a concussion is a challenging experience that requires proper care and attention for a full recovery. As kids and adult leagues start up, it’s important to highlight proper concussion management. As a sports chiropractor I’ve treated many patients with concussions, mostly related to downhill biking, BMX, football, and soccer. Ideally, your doctor or coach would do a preseason Sport Concussion Assessment Tool or SCAT6, to get a baseline which will help establish a timeline for return to play. That is something you can schedule for yourself or your kids at ProActive Chiropractic for a flat rate of $99. Dr. C. is also happy to come in and do a concussion workshop for your team on concussion presentation and management at no charge.
Concussions can often times be long lasting.
Check out our tips for concussion recovery.
1. Seek Early Evaluation and Treatment: After experiencing a concussion, it is essential to promptly seek medical attention. A healthcare professional can evaluate your symptoms, perform necessary tests, screen for more threatening problems, and develop an individualized treatment plan.
2. Allow Sufficient Rest and Recovery Time: Rest is crucial for allowing the brain to heal after a concussion. It is essential to follow the guidance of your healthcare provider and give yourself ample time to recover. This includes avoiding heavy physical and mental activities that may exacerbate symptoms, such as prolonged screen time, reading, or studying. Everyone is different. There isn’t a hard fast rule for how many days you should rest, it’s dependent on your unique recovery speed.
3. Optimize Nutrition and Hydration: Proper nutrition and hydration play a vital role in supporting the healing process. Ensure you consume a balanced diet rich in antioxidants, omega-3 fatty acids, and other essential nutrients that promote brain health. Additionally, staying hydrated can aid in reducing inflammation and supporting overall recovery. With that said, according to the University of Michigan, during the first 24 hours you should avoid medications that can increase risk of bleeding. These include aspirin, ibuprofen (Advil), and naproxen sodium (Naprosyn, Aleve). During the first 24 hours acetaminophen (Tylenol) can be used for pain relief.
4. Manage Symptoms with Chiropractic Care: Remember – if your head got rocked, your neck got slammed as well. So it’s important to get those joints assessed, along with the muscles that stabilize the neck (think of them as your neck ‘core’). Also, your skull is a series of bones that can get jammed with impact if you weren’t wearing a helmet. Therefore, chiropractic care may assist during concussion recovery. Gentle chiropractic adjustments, soft tissue therapies, and other specialized techniques may help alleviate headaches, neck pain, dizziness, and other related symptoms.
Recovering from a concussion requires patience, proper care, and a comprehensive approach. These tips can support healing, alleviate symptoms, and promote overall well-being. For more information on concussion recovery call our office.