In today’s era, unfortunately, concussions are becoming more and more common. Concussions can occur from car accidents, falls, assault, contact sports, and many other of life’s bumps and bruises. The long-term effects of concussions continue to be studied. Did you know that the University of California Brain Injury Research Center states that there are somewhere between 1.6 and 3.8 million concussions related to sports each year in the United States? The majority of these concussions occur in teens! Read on for more information on what a concussion is, and how to effectively treat it!

What is a Concussion?

Concussions are defined as mild traumatic brain injuries. Concussions occur when the brain actually bounces around inside the skull. As you can imagine, this can lead to contusions, bruising, and brain bleeds. It is crucial to carefully monitor the person the first 24 hours after a suspected concussion occurs. Common signs and symptoms of concussions include, but are not limited to:

  • Temporary loss of consciousness
  • Headache
  • Clumsiness
  • Neck pain
  • Depression
  • Irritability
  • Sensitivity to sound or light
  • Memory loss
  • Ringing in the ears
  • Pressure in the head
  • Brain fog
  • Nausea
  • Vomitting
  • Slurred speech
  • Fatigue
  • Delayed reactions

Natural Remedies for Concussions

Concussion treatment centers on reducing headache pain and getting the necessary rest to heal. Fortunately, there are several natural remedies that help speed up this process. Read on for several proven natural remedies to treat concussions.

Chiropractic care. Chiropractic care helps remedy concussions by treating the pain at its source. Most of the time, concussions occur due to a traumatic injury. These injuries often create subluxations in the spine that can lead to headaches, brain fog, neck pain, and many of the other symptoms associated with concussions. Unlike over the counter and prescription pain medications, chiropractors identify these subluxations that are the root cause of pain. By performing chiropractic adjustments, they treat the symptoms at their source and promote healing throughout the body.

Rest. With a concussion, the brain actually moves around inside the skull. As you can imagine, it takes time for the body to recover from that. Getting plenty of sleep helps the brain heal. Many doctors recommend avoiding reading and screen time in order to let the brain rest both mentally and physically. This means that both adults and children need a break from their work and school duties in the event of a concussion. Doctors urge patients to not return to their normal day to day life until all symptoms have subsided.

Caffeine. Numerous research studies link caffeine to aiding in traumatic brain injury recovery. The University of Pittsburg School of Medicine’s Department of Critical Care found that caffeine even has neuroprotective qualities. In fact, coffee has been linked around the globe to lengthening life spans, reducing inflammation, and fighting depression!

Fish oil. Fish oil is an easy supplement to take to help speed up concussion recovery. It has been linked to speeding up the recovery time. Some studies also found that taking fish oil supplements may help prevent traumatic brain injuries such as concussions.

Essential oils. Not all essential oils are created equally. When using essential oils, make sure that you choose a brand that has no fillers and is a therapeutic grade. Peppermint essential oil is great for treating headaches and pain often associated with concussions. Simply apply 1-2 drops to the forehead and scalp. The peppermint oil will create a tingly feeling as it helps alleviate pain.

Turmeric. Turmeric is all over the place these days. Why? Because it has incredible anti-inflammation abilities! Researchers from the Department of Neurosurgery at the Medical College of Georgia found that the curcumin found in turmeric is effective at reducing swelling and pain. Turmeric has also been proven to alleviate inflammation and depression, both of which can accompany a concussion. You can incorporate turmeric into your recipes and your tea for easy use!

Antioxidant-rich diet. A diet rich in antioxidant loaded foods is proven to help reduce the lasting impacts of concussions. Antioxidant rich foods such as salmon, berries, etc., have protective properties and compounds that not only promote healing, but also increase alertness, focus, memory reception, and more.

Concussion Precautions

As with any traumatic brain injury, serious risks can occur with concussions. Repeated concussions can lead to Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy — a chronic degenerative disease. Traumatic brain injuries are also linked to higher risks of Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s.

If you suspect a concussion and experience any of the following, you should immediately call 911 or head to the ER:

  • Inability to be awakened
  • Slurred speech
  • Seizures
  • Repeated vomiting
  • Lack of coordination
  • One pupil bigger than the other
  • Increased drowsiness
  • Weakness or numbness in the body

Pure Health Clinic Can Help

Drs. Chris and Krystal Hohn are passionate about providing natural options for treatment to the people of Howell, Michigan. By identifying subluxations that occur as a result of TBIs, Drs. Chris and Krystal Hohn are able to to treat pain at its source. If you are experiencing concussion symptoms and are seeking natural treatment options, contact Pure Health Clinic today!