One of the most common misconceptions about concussions is that they are just “a bump on the head”. This can be a dangerous assumption, especially in light of the possible long-term effects that may result from such an injury. By definition, a concussion is any type of head trauma that produces an altered mental state such as confusion, disorientation, memory loss, imbalance, or even behavioral or personality changes.
Most people equate concussions with being “knocked out”, and although this can definitely happen with a concussion, only 10% of concussions actually involve a loss of consciousness. No matter what degree of severity the injury may be, concussion patients would do well to seek the services of a concussion doctor in order to get the professional help and proper therapy measures they need to facilitate a solid recovery.
Patients who have experienced traumatic brain injury (TBI), whether mild or severe, are perfect candidates for the services of qualified functional neurologists, or practitioners that specialize in the area of “brain based therapy”. Functional neurology takes a more integrated approach by combining the disciplines of immunology, endocrinology and neurology to provide well-rounded support for concussion-related injuries.
One of the primary principles of functional neurology is the emphasis on how the brain and body interact. Simply put, the brain is the organ that controls the body, and the body provides constant feedback to the brain. Whenever there is a breakdown in this communication system, chiropractic help is often sought in order to restore the brain-body connection back to optimal health.
Several subsequent conditions can arise from concussion-related injuries in particular, so the practice of functional neurology becomes of utmost importance for patients who have suffered head trauma. Since concussions are brain-related injuries, the best therapy options cannot always be ascertained by just observing the physical symptoms alone. Many times cognitive symptoms can arise as well, including memory loss, slow or sluggish movements, feelings of being “in a fog”, and lack of ability to concentrate. Depending upon which areas of the brain may have been affected, emotional symptoms may crop up as well, which can include anxiety, depression, nervousness, irritability, and overall personality changes.
The potential complexity of concussion-related injuries demand a more thorough approach to therapy, and this is where chiropractic neurology really sets itself apart as one of the premier methods to support patients on their road to recovery.
Functional neurologists specialize in identifying the core issues that may be disrupting the brain-body connection, and then crafting a personalized therapy approach to address these specific issues. No two injuries are exactly alike and utilizing “cookie-cutter” approaches to therapy can actually deprive concussion patients of the personalized help and support they need. Functional neurologists will offer the time, attention and care needed in order to analyze the concussion so that a balanced and whole-body approach will guide the formation of their therapy measures.
With these concepts in mind, it is easy to see why seeking the help of functional neurologists at a concussion clinic will give you a solid range of options for optimal concussion therapy. In order to better position yourself to make a full recovery from your injury (or that of a loved one), this whole-body approach is one of the wisest choices you can make.