Post Concussion Syndrome – How Osteopathy Can Help

A concussion can occur from any impact or motion that causes the brain to move rapidly inside the skull. Mild, moderate, or severe concussion can result in changes to normal brain functioning and cause symptoms such as:

  • nausea
  • Issues with thinking and remembering
  • headache
  • blurred vision
  • dizziness
  • balance issues
  • fatigue
  • emotional upset

Those who have had a concussion are 4-6 times more likely to obtain another. Common ways of sustaining a concussion are from sports, motor vehicle accidents, and falls (not limited to).  It is important to visit your doctor after a head injury for testing and diagnoses.

Post-Concussion Syndrome is when symptoms of an initial concussion injury last for weeks to months.

Symptoms typically reported are: 

  • Head/neck pain
  • depression/mood changes
  • memory/learning/reading/decision making issues
  • sleep issues
  • anxiety
  • dizziness/balance problems
  • sensitivity to noise and light
  • digestive/elimination problems

What to do if you are recovering from a concussion:

  • Rest
  • Limit alcohol
  • Limit screen time
  • Avoid activities that seem mentally or physically demanding 
  • Gradually return to normal activities (wait 1 day if symptoms arise) 
  • Use ice on swelling

 

How Osteopathy can help:

Osteopathy is a manual therapy that can help create an environment for the body to heal more effectively and to speed up recovery from post-concussion syndrome symptoms. Manual Osteopath will use a mix of osteoarticular, cranial, and visceral techniques to facilitate this healing. 

During the initial visit the cranium (skull), cervical spine (neck), thorax, lumbar spine and sacrum will be assessed, and the cranial-sacral (C-S) system will be evaluated.

There is an increasing amount research supporting cranial-sacral therapy, and its treatment of head injuries. C-S treats restrictions within the cerebral spinal fluid that surrounds, protects, nourishes, and cleanses the brain and spinal cord. Restrictions within the cerebral spinal system can affect its components and normal functioning of the brain and spinal cord (CNS, PNS).

If you or someone you know are dealing with frustrating symptoms, come see how Osteopathy can help!

-Carolyn Smith BHK, DOMP

Used & relatable resources:

http://www.protectthebrain.org/Brain-Injury-Research/What-is-a-Concussion-.aspx

https://www.healthlinkbc.ca/health-topics/tp23364spec

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5580370/?fbclid=IwAR2O_fNYuUm6yy1WsMfEj2qjvZBaUsAj2RsA7Vw-q7ODWtolfsKgEK_9dqU

https://www.massagemag.com/pain-relief-craniosacral-therapy-85363/?fbclid=IwAR2ztg2__38CAtUrznVZt1xzUvxFf6qgbmgS8btXJJsLLdVSjkjYepnl99A

https://www.huffpost.com/entry/healing-concussions-is-in-our-handsliterally_b_58bedc32e4b0abcb02ce225d?fbclid=IwAR2Y6ad8bVggZT5_frWlyD7JznLDaxIdBVar7SmXgnF-M_hY79WwPhGIB-s&guccounter=1&guce_referrer=aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuZmFjZWJvb2suY29tLw&guce_referrer_sig=AQAAAMuRRNPNTsP9ibjqDJkj5XgkDBdwdInKuyTqhWEDPSbMfaHfqLkIl5Abt8uPrTFcRlS9nJaloRv1NxOMe2bIyAeLBZSMTtVY4GqukrJDUeZt1AV8vg7gpA-18ZF6X5Es0BQ-oHYAcWiAXulNZHTd76_UeMjr2GyHiZDuuBI7jEWj