A concussion is a type of mild traumatic brain injury which happens after a blow to the head or an injury makes the head move back and forth with a lot of force. While concussions are considered “mild” traumatic brain injuries, in many cases the symptoms can be quite severe and uncomfortable. The most common signs of concussion in children are:
- Headaches
- Nausea or vomiting
- Balance problems or dizziness
- Sensitivity to light and noise
- Difficulties paying attention
- Confusion and slowness in understanding or responding
- Changes in behavior or personality
If your child has suffered a fall or injury to the neck/head and is exhibiting these symptoms, they should be immediately evaluated for a concussion. Concussions are serious injuries and proper care must be taken to ensure proper recovery and to prevent Second Impact Syndrome, which can have severe or even critical consequences for your child.
TREATMENTS FOR CONCUSSION
Vision Therapy
Vestibular Rehabilitation
Transcranial Vagus Nerve Stimulation
Eye Exercises
Somatosensory Evoked Potential
Ear Insufflation
Non-surgical Decompression Therapy
Non-surgical decompression therapy can resolve head and neck pain
Non-surgical Decompression Therapy
Nutritional Recommendations
Auditory Therapy
Laser Guided Proprioceptive Feedback
THE MOST COMMON WAYS KIDS AND TEENS GET CONCUSSIONS
Children are often active, love to play, and are engaged in a number of recreational activities. Kids climb, explore, jump off of things, and have a sense of adventure which can sometimes put them in harm’s way. On top of all of this, children are also smaller and more prone to concussions because their brains are underdeveloped and they are smaller and less protected against injury. Because of this, the most common causes of concussions in children are:
- Falls
- Sports Injuries
- Motor Vehicle Accidents
- Being hit, either by an object or someone else
If a child suffers a concussion, it is essential that they do not return to sports or engage in higher risk activities until being given the green light by healthcare professionals. A second concussion can have severe consequences and should be prevented at all costs.
HOW MILD CONCUSSIONS IN CHILDREN ARE TREATED
Depending on the individual factors & severity of a concussion in a child, there are a number of treatment options available. At Broadview Health & Spine Centre, we have innovative and comprehensive concussion treatment solutions which help effectively treat symptoms and ensure quick recovery. Our treatments are based on the concepts of neuroplasticity. Neuroplasticity is the brains’ ability to heal following injury when prompted by precise external stimuli. Our treatments include:
- Vision Therapy
- Vestibular Rehabilitation
- Transcranial Vagus Nerve Stimulation
- Mirror Therapy
- Auditory Therapy
- Laser Guided Proprioceptive
- Photobiomodulation
On top of the treatment methods offered at Broadview Health Centre, it is essential that you be careful that you ensure your child does not return to physical activities and sports until a medical professional gives the green light. Children need time to recover from their injury and are susceptible to Secondary Impact Syndrome, which can be very dangerous.
A CONCUSSION: VISUALIZED
Impact
A blow to either the head or body initiates the concussion sequence. Brain fluid and protective membranes (meninges) are susceptible to sudden jolts or bumps, triggering a reaction that is traumatic and has lasting effects.
Brain Movement
The brain is pushed against the inner walls of the skulls and can be bruised, while nerve tissue can be stretched or torn in the process. Brain cell function is impaired. Loss of consciousness is also possible.
Brain Injury
Short-term and long-term brain injury can occur with a concussion. Blood flow and oxygen delivery are lessened. Symptoms include headaches, fatigue, dizziness, loss of focus and/or reduced cognitive function as well as light sensitivity.
Frequently asked questions
Sustaining a single concussion, in many cases, results in a straight-forward recovery with few complications. However, for those who have suffered multiple concussions, especially when the original has not fully healed, the recovery time can grow exponentially. Take care during recovery as while you might feel better, the concussion could still need time to fully heal.
- We utilize quantifiable concussion evaluation tools
- We measure eye movements and balance
- We take care to ensure your recovery is objective, not subjective
A major side effect from sustaining a concussion injury is cervicogenic pain or headaches, which is focused in the neck area. The challenge for doctors is neck pain does not always point to a problem within the neck, but could be a result of spine or eye misalignment.
- Concussions cause eye misalignment, leading to head tilt
- Neck pain is a flag for helping identify contributing issues
- Our treatment is built to help protect your long-term recovery
A common symptom for those who have suffered concussions and experiencing symptoms of post-concussion syndrome includes fatigue. Fatigue can come from many different factors. However, concussions build fatigue symptoms on a cellular level from the damage sustained in a concussion, interrupting your body’s ability to build and use energy.
- Fatigue from concussions is a result from calcium leaks
- Other fatigue could stem from problems with thyroids or anemia
- Fatigue problems can take some time to fully recover from
Post-concussion syndrome is a complex condition that requires a lot of care and time to fully recover from. You could experience significant fatigue, inability to effectively concentrate, headaches, poor balance, and loss of fine motor control. These and more are the result of concussion damage to three major areas in your body, which all require the care our clinic can provide:
- Physical damage the cell wall of the brain
- Damage to the motor systems of the eyes and balance
- Cervucigenic symptoms such as pain in the neck
Broadview Health Centre offers specialized equipment and technology that helps us diagnose problems and treat them effectively in regards to concussions and other mild-traumatic brain injuries. These tools are a mix of physical tests and electrical monitors working in tandem to give evaluations of the body’s control over balance and motor control, giving us invaluable information on a patents condition by:
- Evaluating the body’s ability to balance on flat and uneven surfaces
- Balance when a patents head is turning in various directions
- Building information on how a concussion effects an individual
Broadview Spine & Health Centre utilized state of the art diagnosis equipment to allow us to gain quality information on how to approach treatment to every patent’s unique symptoms. A Videonystagmography allows us to get a fine-tuned reading of eye movements on video and with graphical representation.
- Helps us identify where damage is located in the brain
- Helps develop a customized program for the patient
- Provides conclusive evidence for brain injury symptoms