{"id":7643,"date":"2016-07-13T13:35:17","date_gmt":"2016-07-13T18:35:17","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/brain-bodyhealth.com\/?p=7643"},"modified":"2019-03-06T13:37:54","modified_gmt":"2019-03-06T18:37:54","slug":"post-concussion-syndrome-when-symptoms-persist","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/brain-bodyhealth.com\/post-concussion-syndrome-when-symptoms-persist\/","title":{"rendered":"Post-Concussion Syndrome: When Symptoms Persist – Chiropractor In Holland"},"content":{"rendered":"
Most people who have sustained a concussion recover quickly and may never experience any residual symptoms. However, 10-25% of concussion cases become chronic (1)<\/sup>, and the most common symptoms reported are headaches and dizziness (2)<\/sup>. So if that\u2019s you and you are not getting better, read on.<\/p>\n For those who don\u2019t get better in 7-10 days, the universal recommendation used to be \u201ccontinue to rest in a dark room\u201d, and I still hear this from time to time.<\/p>\n Unlike the acute care immediately after concussion, as of 2016, there is still no consensus for treating chronic post-concussive symptoms. (3)<\/sup> Although conventionally, doctors tend to tell their patients to rest as long as symptoms still exist, new research suggests that it\u2019s not a good idea to simply rest beyond the first few days after concussion<\/strong>. (4) <\/sup><\/p>\n This makes a lot of sense from a neurological perspective. Our brain is an ever-changing organ that constantly remodels itself based on the stimulations it receives from the environment. Deprivation of sensory stimulation, albeit temporarily necessary, hinders rather than aid recovery in the long run.<\/p>\n While uncontrolled activity will most likely exacerbate the symptoms (4)<\/sup>, emerging evidence suggests that controlled physical and cognitive exercises can aid recovery<\/strong> (5)<\/sup>.<\/p>\n As I mentioned before, headache is the most commonly reported symptom after concussion. Ironically, there is a serious lack of research and very little evidence supporting any particular treatment for post-traumatic headache. (6)<\/sup><\/p>\n So meanwhile, the researchers basically say until we know more about it, forget about the label \u201cpost-traumatic headache\u201d for a second, simply categorize these headaches, just like we do other headaches, and treat accordingly. (7)<\/sup> And that\u2019s what we do in our practice, and we find success with many cases.<\/p>\n Most of the headaches from concussion are migraine or tension type, but they can also be related to peripheral nerves (occipital neuralgia), to the neck (cervicogenic headache), and to medication overuse. (8)<\/sup> Whether you are seeking medical treatment or conservative care, there is really not one treatment that would be effective for all post-concussive headaches. If you are not getting better with treatment, maybe, just maybe, the treatment you are receiving is not specific enough. The key to an effective treatment plan is rigorous evaluation and diagnosis (8)<\/sup>, and taking a comprehensive approach to address all possible causes of headache (9)<\/sup>.<\/p>\n In my experience, headaches related to peripheral nerve irritation resolve the fastest. Sometimes, within a few visits. Tension headache and headaches coming from the neck are also fairly simple to treat. If your headaches have migrainous features, it will take a bit longer to stabilize.<\/p>\n If you have a concussion and immediately experience dizziness at the time of your injury, then chances are you will have a prolonged recovery (>21 days). (10)<\/sup> And chances are strict rest is not going to fix your problem. This type of concussion requires targeted therapies. (5)<\/sup><\/p>\n Without going into too much detail, the therapies are basically designed to reintegrate three of your systems that are responsible for balance\u2014vision, muscles, and vestibular system. Therapies typically involve a lot of eye exercises, head eye coordination exercises, visual stimulations, and balance training.<\/p>\n It used to be that patients had never even heard of these therapies. Now, most of the patients who came to me had already gone through a course of vestibular and vision therapy, but the relief was limited.<\/p>\n These therapies are a must when rehabbing post-concussive patients, but somehow they don\u2019t always work. After talking to my patients and having all of them show me the exercises they were given, it becomes apparent why these therapies had failed them, and we are able to make changes accordingly.<\/p>\n If your vestibular and visual therapies don\u2019t seem to be working for you, don\u2019t give up. You are on the right track. You may just need to find someone who can be more specific and fine-tune your exercises for you.<\/p>\n Concussion is an acceleration\/deceleration injury, (11)<\/sup> so as whiplash. Concussion doesn\u2019t really happen unless the impact generates a minimal acceleration of 70-75g. (11)<\/sup> On the other hand, it only takes as little as 4.5g to cause a whiplash. (12)<\/sup><\/p>\n In other words, the impact that causes a concussion is certainly enough to cause a whiplash. <\/strong>If you have a concussion, get your neck checked as well.<\/p>\n References:<\/p>\nFirst Things First, To Rest Or Not To Rest?<\/strong><\/h5>\n
Is Post-Concussive Headaches Driving You Crazy?<\/strong><\/h5>\n
Is Your Post Concussion Dizziness Lingering As Well?<\/strong><\/h5>\n
Why Aren\u2019t The Vestibular Rehab And Vision Therapy Working?<\/strong><\/h5>\n
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Don\u2019t Forget About Your Neck<\/strong><\/h5>\n
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