Concussion and osteopathy
About concussion
A brain concussion is a sudden and quickly resolving trauma of the brain’s function, secondary to a traumatic brain injury or all impact on the body, transmitting significantly slowed response to the brain. A concussion is a serious event, but you can recover fully from such an injury if the brain is given enough time to rest and recuperate.
The goal of this article is to underline the importance of remaining aware of the constraints that are necessary in the case of a brain concussion. It’s a common occurrence and must be taken seriously! Consulting the neurologist and the osteopath will allow you to find out more about your condition, to allow yourself the best possible treatment and to protect yourself in the future.
What are the symptoms of a concussion?
- Headache
- Loss of consciousness
- Memory loss / amnesia
- Seizure or convulsion
- Pressure in head
- Neck pain
- Dizziness
- Blurred vision
- Balance problems
- Nausea or vomiting
- Sensitivity to light or sound
- Feeling slowed down, or ‘in a fog’
- ‘Don’t feel right’
- Difficulty concentrating
- Difficulty remembering
- Fatigue, low energy, drowsiness
- Trouble falling asleep
- More emotional
- Nervous or anxious
- Confusion
- Irritability
Team Management Approach
Medical consultation
It is mandatory to consult a neurologist or a neurosurgeon. He/she will conduct a comprehensive physical examination and neurocognitive tests in order to determine the effects of the trauma on the brain.
It is important to establish a personalized plan of attack so the patient can progressively return to his/her usual activities.
There will be steps to be followed before returning to any sports activity. The first, and most important is complete physical and mental rest for the 48 hours following the injury. The player might still present many symptoms, such as those detailed above.
Osteopathic consultation
Each case of brain concussion is unique. With a direct impact, we must examine the surface of contact and the long-distance repercussions throughout the whole body. Progress will be seen when a certain number of mechanisms are returned to normal function and they begin to interact together once more.
We using differents approach to decrease your symptoms :
- Cranio sacral therapy
- Fasciatherapy
- Osteo articular techniques
Post trauma vision syndrome
Post Trauma Vision Syndrome refers to deficits in these areas after a concussion, head-injury, whiplash, or mild traumatic brain injury (MTBI). If you have PTVS and your eyes do not work together efficiently, you will have a hard time sustaining your attention and may even end up with a headache or migraine.
PTVS is a constellation of signs and symptoms that may include :
- Problems with the focusing mechanism (accommodation)
- Tracking (ocular motor function)
- Delayed visual memory/processing
- Convergence (how the eyes come together),
- Visual spatial distortions (visual-vestibular)
Returning to work
Returning to work is a goal that drives most patients of brain injury through the rehabilitation process. Yet when employees finally achieve this goal, they may have difficulty adjusting to expectations of the workplace.
Sometimes simple adjustments in the work environment may ensure that an employee with a brain injury is successful on the job.
Emotional support
Some people may experience emotions very quickly and intensely but with very little lasting effect.
For example, they may get angry easily but get over it quickly. Or they may seem to be “on an emotional roller coaster” in which they are happy one moment, sad the next and then angry
Recommandations
- Don’t isolate yourself ! You are part of the team
- Write down your symptoms
- Optimize nutrition
- Getting slowly back to physical activity
- Return to work should be gradual and follow a set schedule
- Reduce screen brightness on your phone, computer, and tablet
- Get plenty of sleep at night, and rest during the day
- Meditate (Free application on your phone: Insight Timer)
References
Concussion Evaluation and Management
https://parachute.ca/en/injury-topic/concussion/
Concussion Evaluation and Management: An Osteopathic Perspective.
Neuropsychological, oculomotor, and balance evaluations expose specific deficits that can be successfully managed with rehabilitation. Osteopathic assessment of the cranium, spine, sacrum, and thorax for somatic dysfunctions allows for prudent interventions.
This information is not meant to replace the advice from a medical professional.
