Every year, several million Americans may experience concussions. This injury can be incredibly frustrating to deal with and may make it difficult or impossible to perform everyday tasks. When looking for reliable treatment for a concussion, you may consider seeing a chiropractor. But can seeing a chiropractor actually make your symptoms worse?
At Muscle & Joint Chiropractic, we understand how frustrating it can be to deal with the symptoms of a concussion. However, we also understand that you don’t want to exacerbate symptoms when seeking treatment. If you want to learn more about whether chiropractic care can make symptoms of a concussion worse, keep reading.
Understanding Concussions
To understand whether chiropractic care makes a concussion worse, you first have to understand what it is. A concussion is a mild traumatic brain injury. In many situations, concussions are the result of a hit to the head or a sudden jolt. This injury may lead to a variety of symptoms, ranging from mild to severe. Some of the most common symptoms include:
- Headaches
- Disorientation
- Mental Confusion
- Nausea
- Blackouts
- And More
While many concussions resolve on their own with adequate rest and symptom management, it is essential that you contact a medical professional as soon as possible if you are experiencing more severe symptoms. Failure to seek treatment may result in worsening and prolonged symptoms.
Will Chiropractic Care Make a Concussion Worse?
Chiropractic care focuses on the musculoskeletal system, particularly the spine. Chiropractors use manual adjustments and other techniques to correct misalignments in the spine, aiming to restore proper function and range of motion, and alleviate pain. If you are experiencing a concussion, you may worry that seeking chiropractic care may aggravate your existing symptoms. However, when you choose to visit a reliable chiropractor for treatment of your concussion, you can trust that this treatment can be incredibly efficient in alleviating symptoms.
How Your Chiropractor May Treat Your Concussion
There are several treatments your chiropractor may choose to utilize when treating a concussion. Every treatment begins with a comprehensive assessment of your musculoskeletal system. Once they’ve assessed your current health condition, they may recommend treatments like manual techniques and therapeutic modalities aimed at addressing underlying spinal misalignments, alleviating associated symptoms, and promoting overall recovery. Some of the most common treatments your chiropractor may recommend include:
- Spinal Manipulation: Also known as chiropractic adjustments, spinal manipulation involves the application of controlled force to specific joints in the spine to restore proper alignment and function. Chiropractors may use gentle, targeted adjustments to address misalignments in the cervical spine that could contribute to symptoms such as headaches, neck pain, and dizziness.
- Therapeutic Exercise: Chiropractors may prescribe specific exercises and rehabilitation protocols tailored to your needs and stage of recovery. These exercises often focus on improving strength, flexibility, balance, and proprioception, which are essential for restoring optimal function and reducing the risk of repeat injuries.
- Postural Correction: Poor posture and spinal misalignments can exacerbate symptoms of concussions and hinder recovery. Chiropractors may provide guidance on proper ergonomics, posture correction exercises, and lifestyle modifications to help you maintain spinal alignment and reduce stress on the affected structures.
- Lifestyle Modifications: Beyond hands-on treatments, chiropractors may advise on lifestyle modifications and self-care strategies to support the healing process and prevent future injuries. This may include recommendations on stress management techniques, adequate sleep hygiene, hydration, and other lifestyle factors that can impact your recovery.
It is important to keep an open line of communication with your chiropractor throughout your treatments. If you are experiencing an exacerbation of your symptoms, let your chiropractor know. From there, they can make adjustments to ensure your treatments are as beneficial as possible.
It is also important to be patient when undergoing chiropractic treatment for a concussion. While you likely want your symptoms to go away after your first appointment, it may take a few weeks of treatment to experience complete resolution of discomfort.
Treating Your Concussion at Muscle & Joint Chiropractic
If you are looking for a reliable chiropractor in the Grantsville or Tooele area to help you recover from a concussion, turn to our team at Muscle & Joint Chiropractic. We have provided reliable chiropractic treatment to patients across the area for years, making us the best fit for your recovery. Unlike the competition, you can trust that our chiropractors will spend dedicated time with you, creating the perfect healing plan. We won’t settle for one-size-fits-all chiropractic treatment. If you would like to learn more about how our team can help you recover from a concussion or if you have any questions for us, don’t hesitate to contact us today.