Should You See A Chiropractor After A Concussion?

Concussions are among the most common of the sports injuries people suffer. However, although concussions are most commonly linked to sports, concussions can result from other accidents, such as auto accidents or trip and fall cases. Even if you don’t play a high-impact sport like American football, you can still be at risk for a concussion. In the event that you do suffer one, should you see a chiropractor after a concussion?

Chiropractors can help with many different types of sports injuries and issues resulting from auto accidents, after all. It stands to reason that seeing a chiropractor after a concussion would help, right? Here’s what you need to know about concussions and whether or not you should see a chiropractor after a concussion.

What Is A Concussion?

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A concussion is a type of traumatic brain injury (TBI) resulting from a head injury that can manifest in a number of different symptoms and problems. Generally, concussions happen when there has been a blow to the head which violently shakes your brain and head. While concussions are generally considered “mild” brain injuries, it is still your brain that we’re talking about. Mild in regards to injury to your brain still means serious, hence why people who suffer concussions have to be watched so closely.

While not life-threatening, concussions can have serious consequences down the line. As such, it is absolutely vital that you see a doctor as soon as possible after sustaining a blow to the head. Concussions can be deceptive in that they may not show symptoms right away, leading the victim to believe that they are fine.

In reality, they’ve suffered a trauma that affects their brain function, and can even spread down to the neck and the spine. Hence why there are people who will see a chiropractor after a concussion, after they have been properly examined by a medical doctor.

Symptoms Of Concussions

Concussions can range from mild to severe, with some symptoms showing up quickly while others may not manifest for weeks. There are many symptoms of concussions, some of which seeing a chiropractor after getting a concussion can help with.

Some of the symptoms of concussions include:

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Headaches
Confusion
Dizziness
Blurry vision
Head pressure
Sleep problems
Anxiety
Irritability
Nausea and vomiting
Slurring speech
Memory loss
Mood swings
Personality changes
Problems with smell and taste
Difficulty concentrating
Sensitivity to sound and light
Depression
Difficulties with smell and taste
Ringing in the ears
Difficulty forming verbal answers
Inability to control fatigue
And more

Treatment Options For Concussions

When you’ve suffered a blow to the head, your first order of business is to see a medical doctor. While there are several ways seeing a chiropractor after getting a concussion can be beneficial, when it comes to your brain, a medical doctor will be able to help diagnose you and come up with a treatment plan. This can include seeing a chiropractor after getting a concussion, especially if you’re suffering from neck and back pain.

Unfortunately, there’s no cure for concussions as of yet. However, there are things that you can do to help your brain recover. Treatment options for concussions include:

Rest, especially away from bright lights and noises
Avoiding cognitively demanding activities, such as driving and work
Medication, such as painkillers

Considering how dangerous concussions can be, it’s vital to do whatever you can to help your brain heal from the bruising it sustained after bumping against your skull. After you’ve sought out medical treatment, you may consider seeing a chiropractor after a concussion.

How Can A Chiropractor Help After A Concussion?

There’s a reason why people often see chiropractors after an auto accident or sports injury. There are many problems that can result from injuries throwing your spine out of alignment. You can see a chiropractor after a concussion in order to realign the bones which may have been misaligned during the event that caused your concussion. Since your central nervous system is in your spine, if your spine gets misaligned, this can affect the function and healing of your brain. Seeing a chiropractor after a concussion can help with alignment issues like this. Some of the ways chiropractors can help after a concussion include:

Increase The Blood Flow To The Brain

Common reasons athletes see chiropractors

Chiropractic adjustments are wonderful for improving blood flow. Blood flow is essential to help bruised parts of your body, such as your brain in a concussion, heal. When you see a chiropractor after a concussion, their adjustments will fix misalignments that may be impacting the blood flow to your brain.

Speed Up The Healing Process

Your body is well equipped to heal itself, and seeing a chiropractor after a concussion enhances your body’s natural healing ability. When your spine is in alignment, it allows your body to function properly, which ensures it’s able to heal itself as best as possible.