If you have recently gone through a traumatic accident, there is a chance you have a concussion. If you have recently been through a car accident or play contact sports, it is critical that you can identify the signs of a concussion to stay safe. Not knowing the symptoms of a concussion can result in longer healing times or increased chances of worsening the injury. 

If you are not feeling like yourself and are struggling to determine if the symptoms you are experiencing are signs of a concussion, having a reliable resource to rely on is crucial. Our team of experts has created a list of signs that you have a concussion so that you can seek adequate care for this head injury. 

What Is A Concussion? 

A concussion is a traumatic brain injury, ranging from mild to severe, that can impact brain function. You may have a concussion following a blow to the head or an accident that resulted in violent shaking of the head and body. 

You may also experience a concussion following a hit in a contact sport, such as football, soccer, or rugby. The hits these players take can be violent enough to cause persistent concussions. With a concussion, your brain either bounces or twists in your head. This movement can create chemical changes in your brain, as well as damage to brain cells. 

Signs You Have A Concussion

The signs you have a concussion will vary depending on the severity of your injury. The symptoms may start subtly and may not present immediately after the accident. They may also persist for several weeks following the accident. 

If you have a mild concussion, the symptoms may appear immediately following the accident. Symptoms of a mild concussion generally go away after a few weeks of light activity and care. Signs of a mild concussion include the following:

• Changes in your sleep patterns, including less sleep, more sleep, or difficulty sleeping
• Light and sound sensitivity
• Headaches, dizziness, and nausea
• Difficulty concentrating
• Emotional changes, including irritability, anxiety, or nervousness

Moderate to severe concussions can result in much more significant problems for those suffering. Moderate to severe concussions may follow a head injury resulting in temporary loss of consciousness or a coma. Because of the severity of the injury, concussions can result in long-term or life-long health problems. Signs of a moderate to severe concussion include the following:

• Difficulty communicating or understanding others
• Problems with vision and hearing
• Weakness in your limbs
• Extreme changes in emotions, including depression, aggression, or nervousness
• Personality changes, including trouble controlling behaviors

What A Chiropractor Can Do To Help

When you have a concussion, your doctor will likely advise you to take things easy. By that, they often mean no physically strenuous activity or sports and resting when the opportunity presents itself. You should avoid bright lights, watching television, reading, or looking at a computer screen. This rest period gives your head a chance to recover without irritation. 

You should also take anti-inflammatory medications, such as ibuprofen, to relieve any headache or nausea you may be experiencing. This medication will also help with any other pain you experience following your accident. If you were in a car accident, you might have back and neck pain in addition to your concussion.

If this is the case, seeing a chiropractor can help you alleviate some of the pain you’re experiencing. There are many treatments a chiropractor may suggest when dealing with neck and back pain, including mobility and decompression treatments, as well as laser and vibration therapies. If you are dealing with any lingering body pain following a concussion, you should consider seeing a chiropractor. 

When To Seek Medical Attention

If you have a concussion, it is crucial that you know when to seek immediate medical attention. If you are an adult and have gone home following your initial consultation with your physician and are experiencing increased weakness, vomiting, seizures, or slurred speech, you should call 911 or head to an emergency room immediately. The signs that a child needs to see a medical professional are the same but also include not eating or nursing and being inconsolable. 

Treating Your Concussion With Elite Chiropractic

If you have a concussion and are dealing with lingering pain, it can feel like there is nowhere to turn. But our team at Elite Chiropractic is here to help you get back to everyday life. With years of experience, we are confident that we can help you feel more like yourself again. If you are looking for treatment following your concussion or would like to speak with a member of our team, contact us today.

96% of adults have experienced a headache at least once in their life. If you’ve been in this position, you may have dealt with extreme discomfort and are looking for treatments to alleviate pain. 

But to treat your headaches, you should first understand the different kinds you can develop and the symptoms of each. Here are 5 common headaches and their symptoms, as well as chiropractic treatments you may receive to treat them. 

1. Tension Headaches

A tension headache is a mild to moderate pain that feels similar to a tight band of pressure that wraps around the head. While no cause is confirmed, they can be triggered by increased stress. Tension headaches are the most common headaches reported among adults. They don’t generally impact an individual’s daily life, but medical attention may be required if they become persistent. 

Symptoms of tension headaches include:

• Slow onset pain
• A dull, aching feeling in the head
• Tender neck, scalp, and shoulder muscles
• Tightness or pressure across the forehead or side or back of the head

2. Cluster Headaches

A cluster headache is a severe pain felt on one side of the head that occurs up to 8 times a day. These headaches occur in cycles of weeks or months before they go into remission. They most often affect people 20 to 40 years old. They are common in 1 in 1,000 people and often require a medical diagnosis. There is no confirmed cause of cluster headaches; however, the cluster headache pattern suggests a connection to the hypothalamus.

Symptoms of a cluster headache include: 

• Burning, piercing pain that lasts 15 minutes to 3 hours
• Pain felt on the same side of the head during every headache
• The sensation starts behind the eye and can spread
• Redness or swelling of the affected eye
• Pale skin or flushing of the face

3. Migraines

Migraines are a type of headache that is characterized by recurrent pain that includes throbbing and pulsing on one side of the head. They generally start in the morning or at predictable intervals, such as immediately after stressful days. Migraines affect 1 in 5 women and 1 in 15 men. If you believe your migraines are becoming more persistent, you may want to begin a migraine journal, tracking frequency and symptoms to discuss with your medical provider.

Symptoms of a migraine include:

• Changes in bodily function several days beforehand
• Auras, including black spots in your vision
• Sound and light sensitivity
• Pain that lasts between 4 and 72 hours
• Nausea and vomiting

4. Sinus Headaches

Sinus headaches are a headache that feels similar to an infection in the sinuses. The symptoms of a sinus headache are similar to those of a migraine, making them difficult to distinguish. They aren’t very common and are often self-misdiagnosed as a migraine. If you experience 15 or more headache days in a month that isn’t alleviated by pain medication, you may want to see a medical professional. 

Symptoms of a sinus headache include: 

• Pressure in the cheeks, brows, and forehead
• Increased discomfort when bending forward or lying down
• Nasal congestion
• An achy feeling in the teeth
• Fever

5. Post-Traumatic Headaches

Head pain following a concussion is standard. However, if you develop a new headache in the 7 days following your concussion, you may have a post-traumatic headache. These headaches can feel like a mix between migraines and tension headaches. If you develop a post-traumatic headache, you’ll want to speak with a medical provider who may prescribe anti-depressants, anti-seizure, or blood pressure medications. 

Symptoms of a post-traumatic headache include:

• Memory problems and trouble concentrating
• Sensitivity to light and sound
• Pulsating pain
• Dizziness, nausea, and vomiting
• Mood changes, including increased feelings of depression

How A Chiropractor Can Help With Your Headaches

If you’re dealing with pain from persistent headaches or have a family history, you may want to consider seeing a chiropractor. The sooner you start treatment, the happier you will be. Regular chiropractic treatments can reduce the pain and frequency you experience. 

Treatments provided by chiropractors include:

• Vibration Plate Therapy
• Spinal Traction Therapy
• Spinal Corrections
• Spinal Decompression
• Class IV Laser Therapy 
• Lifestyle Changes and Education 
• At-Home Management

You may consider seeing a chiropractor if you are looking for treatments to help alleviate discomfort from headaches. Our team of experts at Elite Chiropractic can help you through this pain and allow you to get back on track. If you want to schedule an appointment or would like to speak with one of our team members, call our office at (509) 436-8530.

If you’ve ever injured your shoulder, you know how debilitating it can be. We use our shoulders for everything, whether consciously or not. There is no need to simply endure shoulder injuries with a smile. A visit to the chiropractor can bring much-needed relief.

Chiropractic for Shoulders

The shoulder is the largest joint in the human body and one of the most complicated. The complexity of the joint is one of the reasons that injuries to the shoulder are so common. The fact that the shoulder is used so frequently also contributes to incidents of injury. Shoulder injuries are the common result of vehicle accidents, sports impacts, and even simply sitting at a desk. 

With the incidence of shoulder injury so high, it may be tempting to think that one simply has to grin and bear the pain. Fortunately, this isn’t true. Chiropractic care can help patients find relief and renewed range of motion without invasive treatment like surgery. 

Which Shoulder Injuries Can a Chiropractor Treat?

While this list of common shoulder injuries is not comprehensive, it does represent a large percentage of problems with the joint.

• Arthritis—Arthritis is a chronic condition which inflames the joints. It is highly common amongst adults and can be caused by physical action (which is the case with osteoarthritis) or an autoimmune disorder like rheumatoid arthritis.
• Frozen shoulder—Frozen shoulder, or adhesive capsulitis, describes tightened and thickened connective tissue near the shoulder joint. It frequently results after other injuries to the shoulder and limits the joint’s mobility. 
• Tendonitis—Tendonitis in the shoulder occurs when the tendons of the biceps or rotator cuff become irritated or inflamed. Tendonitis can be the result of dramatic physical injury or the simple repetitive motions of certain daily tasks. The condition heals slowly and painfully.
• Bursitis—Bursitis describes the inflammation or irritation of the bursa, the fluid-filled sac which protects the shoulder’s tendons. Restricted movement and even frozen shoulder can result.
• Pinched nerve—Shoulder injuries can lead to swelling or physiological shifting that can put pressure on the nerves in the shoulder. This “pinching” can cause pain to radiate down the entire arm.
• Damage to the rotator cuff—The rotator cuff includes the tendons and muscles that surround the shoulder joint and make lifting and rotating the arm possible. Injuries to the rotator cuff can include everything from spraining to tearing to gradual deterioration. 
• Dislocation—Dislocations occur after trauma to the shoulder joint. The initial pain as the humerus pops out of the glenoid cavity is sharp followed by aching or even numbness. Partial dislocation is referred to as an AC joint subluxation. Dislocated joints are more vulnerable to repeat dislocation.

Can a Chiropractor Correct Shoulder Pain?

Chiropractors are doctors of the spine, but that also includes a deep understanding of the body’s skeletal and nervous systems. Chiropractic care is well-documented to help relieve the pain of shoulder injuries and improve alignment to avoid further damage. If you suffer from a shoulder injury, recent or past, reach out to visit your chiropractor today. 

A recent study about treating frozen shoulder specifically saw complete resolution in 82% of cases. One of the best things to be said for chiropractic care and injured shoulders is that very little effort yields incredible relief. Without the invasive and expensive drawbacks of surgery, a chiropractor can improve range of motion by 10 degrees with just one visit. 

When you visit the chiropractor for the treatment of a shoulder injury, the chiropractor will look at the problem holistically. Often problems in the shoulder stem from other areas of the body, including the spine. The doctor can correct past misalignments, yielding better health in more than just the shoulder. 

The chiropractor is a specialist, so in addition to correcting alignment for pain relief, he or she can also advise strategies to strengthen your shoulder for the future. In this way, risk of further injury—including dislocation—is reduced. You can do nothing better to help your shoulders be healthy and strong.

How to Avoid Shoulder Pain

While avoiding pain completely is an unrealistic hope for anyone, there are strategies for minimizing your risk of shoulder injuries. The key is to keep your muscles strong and flexible. Limber muscles are less likely to tear or strain. Find strengthening exercises that work for you, and always stretch adequately, pushing yourself appropriately to improve flexibility. Working on your posture can also help keep your shoulders aligned properly so deskwork and other repetitive tasks don’t lead to discomfort or pain.