Sports Head Injury
Concussion is a traumatic brain injury that can damage brain tissue and change the chemical balance of the brain. Concussion may cause physical, mental, and emotional symptoms and problems, both short-term and long-term. Every concussion is considered a serious injury by health care providers.
The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) estimates that 2.5 million concussions occurred in the United States in 2010, the most recent year for which the CDC has statistics. Upper Cervical doctors know that if the head has been injured, the neck also has sustained an injury. Correcting the cervical problem will allow the head injury to recover faster and more fully.
An Upper Cervical doctor can assess symptoms to determine if a concussion is present, and be a vital asset in treating the injury by guiding the patient through a safe and individualized recovery program.
A concussion is a traumatic brain injury that changes the way the brain functions. A concussion can occur when a traumatic bump, blow, or jolt to the head or to the body results in rapid whipping movement of the head. The injured person does not have to lose consciousness for a concussion to occur. If your child or athlete has had such a blow to the head or body, he or she should be monitored for any change in behavior, thinking, or physical performance and evaluated by a professional health care provider trained in concussion care. Most people who have had a concussion will experience a quick and full recovery. For others, however, the signs and symptoms of a concussion may last for days, weeks or longer.
As mentioned above, a concussion may occur when there is a traumatic blow to the head, neck or body. This traumatic blow can cause a whiplash-type of injury to the neck. Whiplash is a common term for a sprain/strain injury or tearing to the muscles, tendons and ligaments (referred to as ‘soft tissue’) of the neck. This type of injury is also likely to cause a loss of normal function in the spine. If not properly evaluated and treated, these injuries can have life-long, devastating effects.
The ‘Blair’ Upper Cervical Chiropractic Technique uses a specific analytical approach to the evaluation and treatment of the neck. The chiropractor trained in the Blair technique will use specific examinations to evaluate not only the soft tissue of the neck, but also the alignment of the spine and function of the nervous system. The precise X-rays that are used in the Blair technique give an up-close and detailed image of all articulating joints in the neck for a precise biomechanical evaluation of the cervical spine. This evaluation allows the ‘Blair’ chiropractor to guide the non-rotational spinal adjustment, as well as reduce the force used to a minimum.
Check the Neck
If you would like to talk further about the benefits chiropractic care offers you, contact us today for a consultation.