Tips to Speed Up Recovery after a Concussion

A concussion is a form of traumatic brain injury (TBI) that occurs when your brain is shaken inside your skull in a way that causes injury to the brain itself. Common causes of concussions include sports injuries, bicycle accidents, falls that result in hitting your head, and car accidents. It is important to understand that a concussion can be caused by a single blow to the head, or as a result of intense shaking of the head. Symptoms include headache, nausea, vomiting, blurry vision, dizziness, memory issues, sensitivity to light, or losing consciousness, and for most individuals these symptoms will last up to 10 days. If the concussion is severe and symptoms take longer to resolve, you may have a condition known as post-concussive syndrome. If you are suffering from the symptoms of a concussion, you may wonder what you can do to speed up your recovery. Here are some tips that can help you manage your symptoms and recover faster:

1. Get medical treatment: Anytime that you suffer a head injury, it is always advised that you seek appropriate medical treatment. This is especially important immediately after the injury to be sure that you receive appropriate treatment.
2. Rest: It is difficult for all of us to slow down, but it may be the most important part of recovery after a head injury. Minimize exercise after a head injury and get lots of sleep. Rest gives your body time to recover, so be patient.
3. Consider chiropractic care: Chiropractic treatment works to improve your nervous system communication by restoring spinal joint motion. There are many benefits to chiropractic treatment after a head injury. It can help your body reboot the electrical impulses transmitted through the nervous system. Many feel relief from pain when you get regular chiropractic care after a concussion.
4. Limit use of screens and minimize your exposure to bright lights and sounds: Many people who suffer from concussions complain of sensitivity to light and sound. Staying off of your phone, tablets, and minimizing all screen time can help your brain recover more quickly.
5. Stay hydrated: Staying hydrated after an injury is always helpful during a recovery period.

Experienced Chiropractor Treating Patients with Concussions

Dr. Keren Gomez is a Florida Board Certified Chiropractic Physician and a member of the Florida Chiropractic Association and has been practicing chiropractic medicine for more than a decade. She has helped many concussion patients to heal quickly and to get back to feeling like themselves. If you or a loved one has suffered a head injury, call Dr. Gomez today at 305-761-6528 (Dade); 954-510-5518 (Broward) or 561-414-2401 (Palm Beach).