What is Post-Concussion Syndrome?
Post-concussion syndrome is a condition characterized by the long-term persistence of concussion symptoms following a concussion event. Unsurprisingly, post-concussion syndrome is most common amongst people recovering from car accidents, sports injuries, or other physical impact trauma events.
Signs and Symptoms of Post-Concussion Syndrome
Typical signs and symptoms of post-concussion syndrome include cognitive defects, recurrent headaches, fatigue, dizziness, blurry vision, insomnia, confusion, and concentration difficulties.
How the Upper Cervical Spine Affects This Condition
The upper cervical spine is a series of stacked vertebrae that connect the spinal column to the base of the skull. During a concussion event, a sharp impact to the head or neck can push one or more vertebrae in the upper cervical spine out of alignment.
Due to the upper cervical spine’s proximity to the brainstem (the connecting link between the brain and the spinal cord), a misalignment in the upper cervical vertebrae can disrupt the flow of nerves between the spinal cord to the brain. Left untreated, this kind of disruption to regular brain or nerve function can result in the presentation of post-concussion symptoms.
How Our Upper Cervical Treatment Works
Dr. Gordon Elder is a trained practitioner of the Blair Upper Cervical Chiropractic Technique. This technique focuses on identifying and targeting spinal misalignments to restore function to the spinal column, re-engage the body’s natural healing mechanisms, and treat the root cause of persistent concussion symptoms.
When treating post-concussion syndrome, Dr. Elder uses advanced diagnostic techniques, such as 3-D imaging, to determine whether you’re suffering from a spinal misalignment. Following your initial round of examination appointments, you’ll be given a brief report outlining Dr. Elder’s findings and an explanation of the best course of action.
To correct your vertebral misalignment, Dr. Elder will perform a series of gentle, non-invasive adjustments (based on the results of your diagnostic imaging) to restore the upper cervical spine to its natural position. These adjustments are quick, precise, and gentle, so you won’t experience any painful cracking, twisting, or popping.
Following the initial adjustment, patients will return for regular, gradually spaced-out check-ups to ensure their adjustment has stayed in place for 3 months. Over the course of 3-5 months, most patients average between 10 to 15 appointments with Dr. Elder.
If your post-concussion syndrome is preventing you from enjoying your life, get in touch and speak with Dr. Elder about your upper cervical spine. Located in Lubbock, Texas, Dr. Elder also services Amarillo, Midland, Odessa, Abilene, El Paso in Texas, and Hobbs in New Mexico.
Published by Vic Belonogoff: A Blair Chiropractic doctor helped heal vertigo, among other conditions that Vic Belonogoff suffered from, and it gave him his life back. He continues to see an upper cervical chiropractor as a preventative measure. Vic Belonogoff is passionate about upper cervical chiropractic and how much it helps patients.