How To Manage Concussion Symptoms

First, it helps to understand a bit about your concussion.

Concussions are Tricky

Concussions and traumatic brain injuries (TBI) are difficult to diagnose. No two concussions are alike. Sometimes symptoms show up weeks even years after the initial brain injury.

How a person recovers from concussion often depends on whether or not they have previously experienced a concussion, a factor often unknown, and the circumstances in which their recovery takes place. A supportive, low stress environment are the best circumstances for a full recovery.

Most recover within a few months on their own. A small percentage have persistent symptoms. Because a traumatic brain injury can impact multiple components of the craniosacral system adversely affecting the free flow and pressure of the cerebrospinal fluid, blood flow, nueral conduction and numerous other physiologic functions, healing can be challenging.

The Good News

Researchers at the Mayo Clinic in 2014 discovered that dysfunction of the Autonomic Nervous System (ANS) is common in concussion suffers. Symptoms of a compromised ANS include (but are not limited to) anxiety, mood swings, difficulty sleeping and an inability to concentrate. In a subsequent 2015 study researches found that balancing the ANS significantly lessens these symptoms.

The good news is that Craniosacral Therapy, the complementary therapy that I practice, is brilliant at balancing the ANS. Of course, this is not the only way to balance the ANS, as listed below, but a craniosacral session is like a short cut to symptom relief.

Help Balance Your Nervous System

  1. Understand that your symptoms are part of your brain’s repair process and are normal in your situation
  2. Seek support from others and engage in positive social interactions
  3. Avoid bright lights, noisy environments and screens (phones and computers)
  4. Engage in gentle exercise for example: Chi Kong and Tai Chi
  5. Meditation is a very helpful daily practice
  6. Avoid alcohol and recreational drugs
  7. Eat well: nuts, seeds, vegetable oils, fruits and vegetables, fish and whole grains are all nourishing for the brain
  8. Try not to rush your recovery, your body’s healing process will take time
  9. Seek complementary therapy that brings deep rest like Craniosacral Therapy and massage