The Benefits of Chiropractic Care for Post-Concussion Syndrome

If you play intense contact sports or recently got into an accident, odds are you showed or are showing signs of post-concussion syndrome (PCS).

In a nutshell, PCS describes a set of symptoms, such as headaches and dizziness, that develop weeks, months, or sometimes even years after a mild traumatic brain injury. Almost all, or 90%, of PCS symptoms are short-term and resolve within two weeks. However, other symptoms are more disruptive and may impact your ability to function normally.

Thankfully, chiropractic care for post-concussion syndrome demonstrates excellent results. It offers a holistic, noninvasive approach to managing PCS by helping alleviate its symptoms. Let's explore everything about chiropractic post-concussion syndrome treatment to help you determine if it’s the ideal choice for you. 

Causes and Symptoms of PCS

Understanding what triggered your PCS and how it typically manifests in the body will help you seek the proper treatment.

Symptoms

Post-concussion syndrome manifests in ways beyond dizziness and headaches. Some of its physical symptoms consist of

• nausea,
• sensitivity to light,
• tinnitus
• blurred or double vision, and
• reduced sense of taste and smell.

Meanwhile, its psychological symptoms include

• depression,
• anxiety,
• lethargy,
• sleeping problems, and
• sudden emotional outbursts.

Causes

There are countless reasons for PCS to happen, but their common denominator is a head injury. It usually stems from almost anything, including

• sports-related impacts,
• car accidents,
• slips and falls,
• blast injuries, and 
• whiplash.

It’s important to note that these “causes” are simply reasons why people get PCS, and the exact root cause is unknown. More specifically, experts don’t know why some people acquire PCS while others with a similar level of injury don’t. Some suggest that it happens due to chemical imbalances or nerve damage in the brain.

How Chiropractic Care Can Help

Chiropractic care addresses the debilitating effects of PCS by improving certain factors that influence its symptoms, including spinal alignment and nervous system function. Let’s elaborate on how chiropractic care is an effective PCS management option below.

Spinal Adjustments and Nervous System Health

Chiropractors regularly perform spinal adjustments to correct misalignments, particularly in the cervical spine (neck). These controlled thrusts relieve pressure on your nerves that trigger headaches and dizziness. In other words, they improve the communication between your brain and body, reducing the frequency and severity of PCS-related symptoms.

Vestibular Rehabilitation and Balance Improvement

Vestibular rehabilitation refers to exercises that train your vestibule—the part of your inner ear responsible for maintaining balance. As a result, you can minimize PCS symptoms like dizziness, imbalance, vertigo, and double vision.

This program includes eye movement control and balance training to restore your sense of balance. You’ll also receive stretching and strengthening exercises to improve your condition. 

Soft Tissue Therapy for Tension and Headaches

Headaches from post-concussion syndrome are bad enough, but they become even worse when paired with muscle tension. Hence, relieving tense muscles and knots through soft tissue therapy helps ease tension-type headaches and other PCS symptoms.

Chiropractors use soft tissue therapies like massages and myofascial release to address muscle tension in your neck, shoulders, and upper back. The effect goes beyond less frequent and less intense headaches; these treatments also improve blood circulation throughout your body, allowing essential nutrients to reach your brain more efficiently and heal your body faster.

Benefits of Chiropractic Care for Post-concussion Syndrome

Not all PCS symptoms surface within weeks. In fact, nearly half or 48.3% of patients report experiencing a symptom at least a year after their injury. Fortunately, chiropractic care offers long-term benefits that can support your recovery in the future as well.

Holistic Approach to Recovery

Instead of solely managing your current symptoms, chiropractors treat the entire body to improve your health. They consider how other factors, such as muscle tension, spinal alignment, and nervous system health, contribute to your condition. In turn, you can enjoy a more comprehensive recovery and feel better from head to toe!

Noninvasive and Drug-Free Treatment

Tired of the adverse side effects of pharmaceutical drugs? If so, rest assured that chiropractic post-concussion syndrome treatments are noninvasive and drug-free, making them an attractive alternative to medications or surgery. They focus on spinal adjustments, soft tissue therapy, and other natural techniques to help your body heal, giving you a safer and long-term solution for your PCS symptoms.

Enhanced Cognitive Function and Mental Clarity

Some of the lesser-known symptoms of post-concussion syndrome are cognitive difficulties—decreased concentration, forgetfulness, inability to retain new information, and reasoning difficulties, among others. These conditions make it challenging to take care of yourself and others. However, since chiropractic care also targets the nervous system, consistent treatments make it easier to focus and think clearly.

Get Back on Your Feet with Allied Pain and Wellness

Chiropractic care for post-concussion syndrome has helped countless people manage and alleviate their debilitating symptoms, and it can do the same for you. So, consider getting a comprehensive treatment plan soon after your injury to recover from your symptoms quickly and minimize the occurrence of new ones down the line.

Ready to undergo expert chiropractic treatment? Reach out to Dr. Shahen Simian at Allied Pain and Wellness, a trusted chiropractor in Burbank, CA, for a natural and noninvasive way to recover from PCS and other similar conditions.

Request an appointment with us today!