When you suffer from Concussion, it’s often difficult to know how much a bump, bruise, or knock to your head is affecting your everyday life. There’s a reason why many in the industry label concussion the ‘invisible illness’: you’ll likely need professional medical advice if you feel you’re suffering from the symptoms of a concussion.
Our Ambleside Chiropractor in West Vancouver, strive to work closely with our patients to diagnose the key symptoms and then assist with spine and other joint/muscle pain that may have been caused by your concussion. We also help to create exercise plans and other methods to get you back on your feet.
What is a Concussion?
Concussion is a traumatic brain injury, and while that sounds severe, not all concussions are extreme. They vary in severity depending on several different factors, including the weight of impact, where precisely the head was knocked, and how long afterward treatment was sought. Overall, concussions are a common injury, and with the correct treatment, can be treated easily.
A bump or bruise can cause a concussion to the head, or a jolting action where the brain is moved suddenly in the skull. This sudden acceleration and deceleration to the brain can cause chemical changes that have many different repercussions. It’s known to affect memory, brain functionality, and much more. Concussions should be treated as a brain injury, even if it only lasts for a few days.
Likely Causes of a Concussion, and Those at the Highest Risk
Any knock to the head can cause a concussion. This head trauma could be from a car accident, playing sports, or any other incident which might cause a bump on the head such as a fall. Young people are the most susceptible to concussion, although the risks of brain damage are concurrent throughout life. If caused during sports, it’s paramount that you receive medical advice before continuing to play.
Contact sports, such as football, rugby, or hockey, are the likeliest culprits of concussion. It’s vital that you visit your team’s medical professional once you take a knock to the head. Most professional sports teams now have chiropractors on staff to deal with head and neck trauma.
The Symptoms of a Concussion
However, if you or a loved one is suffering from the symptoms of concussion, you should contact a medical professional or our chiropractor in West Vancouver immediately. The effects are wide-ranging, and often hard to pinpoint. You might notice a number of these symptoms:
- Not being to think clearly – This inability to clarify your thoughts might be mild memory loss, the failure to keep track of new information, or to speak concisely.
- Headaches and blurry vision – This is where the symptoms are most similar to a severe migraine. You might experience dizziness, a lack of stability, difficulty understanding depth of field, and even nausea.
- A change in emotion – Damage to your brain, even if for a short period, can cause impressive mood swings. You might feel depressed, irritable, sad, or anxious.
- Fatigue or insomnia – Sometimes occurring at the same time, leading to spiraling sleeplessness.
How our Chiropractor in West Vancouver can assist with concussion and its aftermath
Our Chiropractor in West Vancouver is here to make sure you don’t feel any pain while recovering from a concussion, which can take anywhere from a few days to several weeks. At Ambleside Chiropractic in West Vancouver, we assist with exercise regimes, stiffness and pain relief, and diagnosing whether your injury has affected your neck, shoulders or back.
The first point of call for a concussion should be a medical professional or a chiropractor who will follow appropriate concussion protocols. They are also responsible for deeming whether or not you are fit to return to work, everyday activities, or play for your sports team. A Chiropractor is primarily here to assist with first-aid and offers advice and treatment for the spine, shoulder, and neck problems.
