Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is a common, and alarming, health problem in the United States today. According to the CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention), nearly 1.8 million people suffer from traumatic brain injury annually and about 75% of these cases are concussions. In the cases of concussion, there is often confusion around diagnosis and treatments. Gaining a better understanding of both the causes of concussion and the best treatment plans are the keys to providing patients with a good prognosis. Advances in care plans like Chiropractic Neurology are giving patients hope for better, and faster, effective care plans where traditional treatment plans have failed.
Concussions
As mentioned, the highest percentage of TBIs are classified as concussions. Concussions, or a brain injury that results in temporary loss of normal brain function, are on the rise. As more and more people become active in sports, up goes the concussion rate. According to the University of Pittsburgh’s Brain Trauma Research Center estimates that more than 300,000 sports-related concussions happen each year.
The Tricky Side of Concussion
What becomes tricky about concussions is that no two concussions are the same, even in the same individual. And of course, it is important to remember that while athletes are the primary group of people who suffer concussions, they certainly are not the only people who do. Did you know that the number one cause of concussions in children is caused during riding a bike? Falls and slips on ice are also common causes of concussions and TBIs. In addition, the trauma necessary to cause a concussion doesn’t necessarily have to be trauma to the head. Dr. David Lessman of Advocate Children’s Hospital in Park Ridge, IL explains. “It’s any movement of the brain inside of the skull, so that could be the head, the face, the neck, that could be the body. I see a lot of car accidents where there is no head trauma, but the rapid movement of the head, meaning rapid movement of the brain, can cause concussion symptoms.”
So Is It a TBI or Concussion?
While not all TBIs are concussions, concussions are a form of TBI. Traumatic brain injuries (TBI) can be mild, moderate or severe in nature and occur when a sudden trauma causes damage to the brain. Concussions and mild TBIs alike may not be evident in a routine exam so knowing the symptoms is imperative. Some common symptoms include headache, confusion, blurred vision, ringing in the ears, fatigue, moodiness and loss of consciousness. People suffering from moderate TBI may exhibit those symptoms as well as a headache that persists and worsens, vomiting, seizures, pupil dilation in one or both eyes, slurred speech and increased confusion and restlessness.
Recovery
While recovery from a traumatic brain injury can be unpredictable, there are treatment plans that work to return patients to the optimal state of well-being without the use of drugs or invasive techniques. One such option is Chiropractic Neurology.
Chiropractic neurology seeks to rebuild the patient’s neurocognitive abilities to the state they were in before the traumatic brain injury or concussion occurred. This is done by identifying weaknesses and imbalances in the nervous system. The brain, like other muscles, responds to exercise and utilizing methods such as light, sound, joint manipulation and other techniques has the same effect as exercise. While each patient’s needs are different, the approach of chiropractic neurology is a perfect fit for many patients and the increasing success rate is making it a valuable option for more and more people.
If you or a loved on has suffered a TBI or concussion and would like to learn more about how Chiropractic Neurology can help you on the road to recovery, please contact the team at the Georgia Chiropractic Neurology Center today.