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Concussion Treatment In Philadelphia, PA

Concussion Condition Treatment Chiropractor Philadelphia PA

A concussion is an injury that results from trauma to the head. Although the skull is very protective of the brain, there isn’t much support for the brain itself. When head trauma occurs, it causes the brain to bang around in the skull. Symptoms from a concussion can persist for weeks, months, or even years. Concussions can be debilitating and profoundly impact your quality of life.

There are various symptoms and problems associated with concussions. No single symptom is required to classify a traumatic brain injury. Concussion symptoms can be physical, cognitive, emotional, or sleep-related. While concussions are common sports injuries, they are not exclusive to contact sports. At PA Pain and Rehab, we see patients with concussions from car accidents and work-related injuries, as well as people who have fallen and hit their head on the ground.

It is critical to get evaluated by a professional if you experience any trauma to the head. Sometimes symptoms are apparent right away. More often than not, symptoms continue to come out even weeks after the injury. Concussions are not something to take lightly. The sooner you are evaluated by a professional, the better.

At PA Pain and Rehab, we see patients suffering from concussions on a weekly basis. Impact injuries almost always result in a misalignment of the spine, particularly in the upper neck. Chiropractors are trained to identify misalignments and joint restrictions in the spine. We are best suited to help patients overcome and correct this type of problem.

How We Treat Concussions in Philadelphia, PA

Detailed Consultation and Examination

Before starting care at PA Pain and Rehab, you must undergo a comprehensive consultation and evaluation. One of the most critical aspects of this visit is the consultation. This allows the doctor to get to know you and understand the symptoms you are experiencing and how this problem impacts your life. With this type of serious injury, we want to ensure that our office is the right fit for you or if you need a referral for more specialized care.

During that initial visit, a highly trained chiropractor will conduct a thorough physical exam. This happens with all new chiropractic patients and may include everything from a range-of-motion and spinal exam to any necessary referrals for diagnostic imaging. With a suspected concussion in play, your chiropractor may also conduct neurological tests to determine the extent of your symptoms and pinpoint issues you may not have noticed.

Based on their findings, your chiropractor will develop a detailed treatment plan tailored to your physical, mental, and emotional needs. This plan may involve various treatments and services, including spinal adjustments, soft tissue treatment, and therapeutic exercises. The goal is to address the root cause of symptoms, such as headaches and gait abnormalities. Though these problems are traced back to the concussion, it’s not uncommon to find that accident or injury-related misalignments play a huge role in ongoing discomfort.

Comprehensive Chiropractic Care

Many people dont think of going to a chiropractor for concussion recovery. The brain is the most important organ in the body, and the brain stem extends down to the first and second vertebrae in your neck. If these bones become misaligned during a whiplash or concussion injury, they can affect the function of the brain.

The type of incidents that cause concussions cause conditions such as neck pain and headaches. Incidents such as sports injuries and car accidents cause whiplash, which can cause pain in these delicate areas. Chiropractic is extremely effective at treating these conditions and helping to restore normal function. Chiropractic is natural and safe and does not require medications, injections, or surgery. Conservative treatments like chiropractic care should be sought out before proceeding to more invasive methods.

Soft Tissue Therapy

In incidents that cause the head to forcefully move around and cause a concussion, there is almost always damage to the soft tissues of the neck, upper back, and shoulders. This is commonly referred to as whiplash. It can be very painful and complicate any concussion symptoms you’re experiencing.

In addition to chiropractic adjustments to the spine, our doctors can also use manual muscle techniques like myofascial release and trigger point therapy to help improve the mobility and function of damaged and stiff supporting muscles, tendons, and ligaments. Not only does this provide more mobility, but it is also excellent in controlling pain and inflammation.

Physical Rehabilitation

You want to get back to life as quickly as possible when you suffer a concussion. The body heals through movement. A customized plan based on your functional assessment will strengthen your muscles, improve your range of motion, and reduce healing times. As you work with a chiropractor to restore proper spinal structure, it’s important to retrain your muscles to support that healthy structure. This helps adjustments hold longer and prevents future injury. We’ll work with you in the office and provide you with at-home whiplash recovery exercises to continue your healing at home.

Medical Care

At PA Pain & Rehab, we are lucky to have an orthopedic surgeon on staff who specializes in providing care and pain management solutions for various spine, joint, and bone issues, especially concussions. He’s trained to handle emergency situations and help you find treatments to get you back on your feet fast. If necessary, our doctor can prescribe an MRI to assess soft tissue, joint, or spinal injuries and determine if your organs were impacted by a car accident or sports injury.

Frequently Asked Questions

What causes concussions?

Trauma to the head caused by accidental falls, severe impacts or blows, and violent shaking incidents can lead to concussions. Remember, the brain is similar to a jello mold protected by your skull and cerebrospinal fluid. Major bumps and jolts can disrupt this protective barrier and allow the brain to impact the skull’s inner walls resulting in a concussive state.

What are common concussion symptoms, and can they be delayed?

Concussion symptoms may be immediately obvious or present gradually over a few hours or days. These symptoms may be present for days, several weeks, or even longer, depending on the severity of the trauma. Common concussion symptoms include:

  • Pressure or severe pain in the head
  • Amnesia concerning the event sourcing the injury
  • Nausea and vomiting
  • Appearing to be dazed or confused
  • Delayed response to questions or slurred speech
  • Ringing in the ears
  • Loss of consciousness

When should I seek medical attention for a concussion?

If you are experiencing any of the aforementioned symptoms after experiencing a blow or trauma to the head, seek medical care immediately. In fact, we recommend that you see a physician or one of our chiropractors at PA Pain and Rehab without necessarily waiting for symptoms to present themselves. After all, the sooner we diagnose your injury, the faster we can get you on the road to recovery.

Can concussion damage be reversed?

In most cases, concussion symptoms will resolve completely, which is why it is only considered a mild traumatic brain injury (TBI). However, the time it takes to heal can vary greatly. Being consistent with your care and recovery action steps can help reduce the time it takes to heal from this type of injury.