Concussion
Concussion, aka ‘mild traumatic brain injury’, has been the topic of much research and discussion between health professionals in recent years. It is a particularly important topic amongst practitioners who treat sports people on the field and in the clinic setting. Although concussion in sport is a common occurrence, anyone with a head can get a concussion… so that’s everyone then!
What is a concussion?
Concussion is a minor head injury that is usually sustained by either:
- A blow to the head (e.g. hitting your head when falling or being hit on the head by an object)
- Your head going through a sudden change in direction (e.g. during a car accident or a quick change in direction on the sports field)
During a trauma, the force sustained to the head causes the brain to move and hit the inside of the skull. This leads to inflammation and damage to the nerve tissue of the brain. This can affect the function of the brain in many ways and can lead to a wide variety of symptoms. The symptoms depend on what part of the brain and other body parts are affected.
Who gets it?
Concussions are very common in sports people, especially those that partake in contact sports like boxing and football (any form), or a sport that leaves a person susceptible to a fall (i.e. cycling, skiing / snowboarding and horse-riding). Anyone who hits their head, or has their head thrown around during a sudden movement can become concussed. A common cause of whiplash type injuries that lead to the brain being thrown back and forth inside the skull is car accidents.
Signs and symptoms of a concussion
Concussion can lead to a wide range of signs and symptoms, including any combination of:
- Loss of consciousness (30 minutes or less)
- Amnesia (i.e. an inability to recall what has happened / memory loss)
- Persistent low-grade headaches
- Dizziness, vertigo and loss of balance
- Confusion
- Brain fog
- Nausea and vomiting
- Visual disturbance (blurred vision or seeing stars)
- Drowsiness
- Light and noise sensitivity
- A blank / vacant look on the persons face
In the majority of cases, symptoms will occur quickly or within the first few hours after the injury occurs.
Treatment
It is unlikely you will see an osteopath in the immediate aftermath of a head injury, unless you are a sportsperson who is under the care of an on-field osteo. After a head knock, if there is possibility of a concussion, it is normal to see a medical professional (i.e. a GP or on-site osteo / physio) to be checked out. Severe impacts may require hospitalisation. In mild cases, once the treating practitioner is happy that symptoms are stable, you will usually be sent home to rest and recover. Many people feel okay at this point but should avoid returning to play, as a second injury will likely be worse. The best and only thing you should do at this point is follow your doctor’s orders!
A mild concussion usually recovers within two weeks, but symptoms can persist for some people for weeks or months following a head injury. If this occurs, this person is said to be experiencing post-concussion syndrome. These symptoms should resolve with time, but again, they can persist in some people.
Once you are in that stable stage, it is fine to seek out the help of your osteo. Osteopathic treatment has been shown to be a valuable treatment option for people suffering from stable concussive symptoms. A blow to the head can start off a chain reaction around the body. This may have immediate effect on the function of the spine and shoulders. We can assess and treat these dysfunctions to get you through your concussion in as little pain as possible.
Concussion? We can help you today! Please call and speak to us on 03 9846 2800 if you need more information on concussion or are unsure our treatment is right for you.
