concussion

Concussion

Concussion affects the bones of the cranium (skull) the connective tissues lining the inside of the skull as well as the brain tissue itself. It can cause a metabolic, vascular and energy crisis within the brain tissues.
It occurs following a combination of forces typically but not exclusively from direct impact to the head.. It comes about following a combination of translational and rotational forces frequently but not always from a direct impact to the head. While a knock or blow to the head would be the most obvious source it is also possible to have concussive symptoms following a heavy fall landing onto the feet or bottom, or a blow to the body causing violent shaking of the head.

Concussion injuries

Concussion injuries are common in many sports for example rugby, football, and boxing but they are also seen following skiing, horse riding and cycling accidents as well as road traffic accidents, assaults and simple falls.

They can occur at any age.


Concussion symptoms can be immediate and typically resolve somewhere between 7 days - 4 weeks. It can however be an evolving process where some symptoms don’t show up till months or even years later. At this point those symptoms can appear to be unrelated to the injury and frequently not attributed to the original concusssion or treated as such.

Repeated head trauma can cause permanent and debilitating problems. Post Concussion Syndrome (PCS) or develop into Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy (CTE)

When we imagine different body movements and positions that occur during an accident/injury (road traffic accident , rugby tackle) it’s not hard to see how it becomes a whole body event and not just confined to the head & neck.

Jane holds the side of thead of a patient laid on her treatment couch

CONCUSSION SYMPTOMS

  • Loss of consciousness

  • Drowsiness

  • Dizziness

  • Confusion/memory loss

  • Headache

  • Neck pain

  • Visual disturbances

  • Nausea/vomiting

  • Pressure in the head       

  • Fatiguge

  • Irritability

  • Concentration difficulties

  • Light/sound sensitivity

  • Sleep disturbances

  • Balance problems

  • Anxiety/depression

  • Tinnitus

TREATMENT

Cranisacral therapy not only targets the cranial bones, membranes and fluid surrounding the brain and spinal cord but it is also a whole body treatment.

Treatment focuses on identifying and facilitating correction of restrictive forces within the central nervous system, brain, spine and importantly the whole body.

Treatment, ideally would be soon after impact but is also beneficial years after the original Injury.
There is ongoing research taking place into the prevention of and management of concussion injuries. Much of this research is in America with the high incidence of concussion in football players and the upledger institute is at the heart of this important work.

In December 2023 I attended an intense course solely aimed at concussion and new treatments developed for this condition.

If you think you have had or know you have had a concussion and would like to find out more about treatment options please get in touch