Relieving Post-Concussion Syndrome
The Benefits of Upper Cervical Adjustments
Understanding how the brain and body interact is crucial to grasping why post-concussion syndrome can have such long-lasting effects. The brainstem, a vital communication pathway, connects the brain to the body. This connection is made through the spinal cord at a very narrow point, passing through the upper neck vertebrae, specifically the atlas (C1) and axis (C2).
These bones form what is known as the upper cervical spine, playing a pivotal role in keeping the head balanced over the body. Even a tiny misalignment of these bones, as small as a quarter of a millimeter, can disrupt communication between the brain and body, potentially leading to widespread health issues.
Let’s explore the nature of traumatic brain injuries (TBIs), the long-term impact of concussions, the possibility of post-concussion syndrome (PCS) occurring even without a direct hit to the head, and a natural approach to easing PCS symptoms.
Understanding the Dangers of Traumatic Brain Injuries
Traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) are a leading cause of death and severe health issues in the U.S., according to the CDC. Experiencing a TBI significantly raises the risk of developing several potentially fatal conditions. For instance, someone with a TBI is:
- Six times more likely to get pneumonia.
- Nine times more likely to develop an infection.
- 11 times more likely to suffer an unintentional drug overdose.
- 50 times more likely to experience a seizure.
Surviving a head injury is only part of the battle. The long-term risks associated with TBIs highlight the importance of prevention. While some causes, like assaults, may be beyond one’s control, there are effective strategies to prevent other leading causes of TBIs.
In the U.S., three common and preventable causes of TBIs include car accidents, sports injuries, and falls among older adults. Given the seriousness of TBIs, it’s crucial to understand how to reduce these risks through simple safety measures that nearly everyone can take.
3 Strategies to Minimize the Risk of Concussions While Driving
To reduce the risk of head injuries while driving, consider these three simple steps:
1. Buckle Up Everyone: Make sure everyone in the car is wearing a seatbelt, regardless of age, how short the trip is, or whether the law requires it. This simple act can protect everyone in the event of an accident.
2. Child Safety: Always use the right car seats for children, and keep kids under 12 in the backseat. Car crashes cause over half of the head injury-related deaths in children aged 5 to 14, so keeping them safe is crucial.
3. Avoid Impaired Driving: Never drive under the influence of alcohol or medications that make you drowsy. Also, be a responsible friend by offering to drive or arrange a ride for someone who’s impaired.
Three Strategies to Minimize Concussions in Contact Sports Athletes
To reduce the risk of concussions and their impact during games, follow these guidelines:
1. Adhere to Concussion Protocols: Ensure that any player suspected of having a concussion does not return to play until they have been cleared by a healthcare professional. This is especially important for children.
2. Educate Players About Concussions: Have honest conversations with players about the risks of concussions. This helps prevent them from hiding symptoms to avoid being sidelined, especially during important games. Emphasize the importance of playing safely to protect both themselves and their teammates.
3. Shift Focus from Winning at All Costs: Prioritize safety over victory. A player’s long-term health and career depend on it, and this approach will help them stay in top form for future performances.
How to Prevent Concussions from Falls in Older Adults
Nearly 80% of traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) in older adults are caused by falls, many of which can be prevented. Here are three strategies to help prevent concussions in seniors:
Stay in Touch with Your Doctor: Many falls are linked to issues like vertigo or dizziness. If you’re experiencing these symptoms, consult your doctor to determine if they can be treated or managed.
Make Your Home Safer: Reducing hazards at home can lower the risk of falls. Address potential trip hazards, ensure adequate lighting, and consider adding features like grab bars in the bathroom or a chair in the shower to help prevent accidents.
Keep Active with Exercise: While you might not be able to exercise like someone younger, it’s important to stay active to maintain strength and balance. This can help reduce the likelihood of falls and related injuries.
Understanding the Signs of Post-Concussion Syndrome
If you experience a head injury and manage to recover, you might still face some ongoing challenges. This condition, known as post-concussion syndrome (PCS), can bring about several persistent symptoms. Common ones include:
- Dizziness or a sensation of spinning
- Frequent migraines or headaches
- Difficulty with memory and concentration
- Neck pain
- Changes in mood, such as irritability
- Ringing in the ears
- Increased sensitivity to light and noise
- Trouble sleeping
- Feelings of depression or anxiety
These symptoms are not caused by physical damage to the brain but rather by changes in how the brain and nervous system function after the injury. Other effects may also occur alongside these common symptoms.
How Accurate Is the Term “Post-Concussion Syndrome”?
Some scientists are suggesting a new name for the condition, calling it “post-traumatic syndrome” because the symptoms can occur after various types of trauma, like a whiplash injury or a fall that injures a limb. Research from Australia supports this idea, showing that the symptoms are due to changes in the central nervous system rather than actual brain damage. Similar findings have been reported in the U.K. Additionally, the term “post-traumatic stress disorder” has been used to describe depression and anxiety that continue after experiencing trauma.
Understanding the Connection Between Post-Concussion Syndrome and the Upper Cervical Spine
Understanding concussions, traumatic injuries, and post-concussion symptoms helps clarify how misalignments in the upper cervical spine might be related. Here’s how issues with the first two cervical vertebrae, the atlas (C1) and axis (C2), can impact the body:
Brainstem Function Disruption — The atlas (C1) surrounds and safeguards the brainstem. Even a small shift in its position can put pressure on the brainstem, affecting its ability to function correctly. This can disrupt the communication between the brain and the body, leading to many symptoms commonly associated with altered brainstem function.
Impaired Blood Flow to the Brain — The upper cervical spine is crucial for allowing blood to reach the brain. The vertebral foramen in these vertebrae provide a path for the vertebral arteries, which deliver oxygen-rich blood. Misalignments can cause these arteries to become constricted, reducing blood flow to the brain and potentially causing various symptoms.
Poor Cerebrospinal Fluid Drainage — Misalignments in C1 and C2 can obstruct the flow of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) from the brain to the spinal cord. This can lead to increased intracranial pressure, which is linked to many symptoms of post-concussion syndrome. Research using upright MRI has shown that correcting these misalignments improves CSF drainage. For instance, a former professional football player experienced significant improvements in his condition after such corrections, going from needing to carry emergency contact information to functioning normally.
With these effects in mind, it becomes clearer how upper cervical misalignments can contribute to migraines, vertigo, cognitive issues, and other symptoms seen in post-concussion or post-traumatic syndrome.
Post-Concussion Syndrome: The Role of Upper Cervical Chiropractic Care
Low-Force Corrections — Unlike the traditional view of chiropractic care that involves rapid movements, cracking, or twisting, low-force adjustments are much gentler. These adjustments are done either by hand or with a specialized instrument and are highly controlled and delicate. Patients often barely feel the adjustment itself, but the impact can be quite significant. For example, a football player described it as feeling like a bottle had just been uncorked.
Precise Adjustments — These adjustments are extremely accurate because they rely on diagnostic imaging to pinpoint the exact location and degree of misalignment. Some techniques can detect a misalignment down to the hundredths of a degree. This level of precision helps ensure that adjustments are both effective and long-lasting, giving the body the time it needs to heal from issues affecting the central nervous system.
Cost-Effective Care — The combination of precise and gentle adjustments that the body can easily accept means that maintenance visits are needed less frequently. As the adjustments hold longer, patient visits can be spaced further apart, making this a more affordable approach to care.
Upper cervical chiropractors have specialized training to detect even the slightest misalignments in the C1 and C2 vertebrae. These subtle misalignments can significantly affect central nervous system function and contribute to symptoms of post-concussion syndrome. When the spine is correctly realigned, many patients experience a noticeable reduction or complete elimination of symptoms, often starting with the very first adjustment.
If you’re dealing with post-concussion syndrome, even if you can’t recall the specific head or neck injury that might have caused it, it’s worth getting checked by an upper cervical chiropractor. If a C1 or C2 misalignment is found, a gentle adjustment might be all you need to start feeling better naturally.
Have questions or want to learn more?
We’re here to help! Call or text us at 813–578–5889 to speak with Dr. Brett Berner of Foundation Chiropractic. Whether you’re looking for answers or ready to take the next step in your health journey, we’re just a phone call or text away. Don’t wait — reach out today!
Disclaimer:
Dr. Berner does not diagnose, treat, or prevent any medical diseases or conditions; instead, he analyzes and corrects the structure of his patients with Foundational Corrections to improve their overall quality of life. He works with their physicians, who regulate their medications. This blog post is not designed to provide medical advice, professional diagnosis, opinion, treatment, or services to you or any other individual. The information provided in this post or through linkages to other sites is not a substitute for medical or professional care. You should not use the information in place of a visit, consultation, or the advice of your physician or another healthcare provider. Foundation Chiropractic and Dr. Brett Berner are not liable or responsible for any advice, the course of treatment, diagnosis, or any other information, services, or products you obtain through this article or others.
