Chiropractic Care and Concussion

3.8 million.

That’s a big number. In this case, it reflects the number of concussion in the USA in a year. Sadly, as many as 50% of those concussions go unreported. Sports with the highest incidence of concussions are football, hockey, rugby, soccer and basketball. Female athlete concussion incidence is higher than their male counterparts. (1,2) Interesting. Regardless of the gender of Oxford concussion patients, Satterwhite Chiropractic makes itself aware of such conditions as concussion to effectively manage and co-manage the patient back to health and sport. Oxford chiropractic care may well be an effective tool in the care of concussion and recovery from concussion.

Awareness of concussion in sports – youth to professional – is growing as it should. It’s not in the best interest of the athlete to tough it out and keep playing. Long term, that is not a good plan for a healthy life. Doctors like those at Satterwhite Chiropractic are sensitive to the seriousness of concussion and offer gentle, observant, conservative care to our Oxford concussion patients seeking care.

What type of care is really important in post-concussion recovery? Self-care that includes these elements (2,3):

• Rest. Why? Rest allows the brain to heal.
• Time. Why? It takes time to heal.
• Patience. Why? It takes time and rest to heal.

Doctors of chiropractic do see patients with concussions, sometimes at sports events and sometimes in clinical practice. If ever a concussion is suspected, a thorough evaluation of the athlete is important. (4) A study of certified sports chiropractors reports that they believe strongly that heath care providers with specific training in concussion should perform a concussion evaluation. (5) Another study of chiropractors who care for pediatric patients reports that overall patient safety rating score shows that 83% of such chiropractors see their care as “very good” or “excellent”.  (6) One review of chiropractic care of concussion articles found that no adverse outcomes are reported with chiropractic care. (7) A newly published case report shares that a 14 year old hockey player’s concussion recovery was enhanced with chiropractic care. He was able to return to play, and his neurocognitive testing scores had improved. (8) Satterwhite Chiropractic certainly approaches the care of a patient with concussion cautiously and gently.

If concussion affects you or a loved one, don’t ignore the symptoms. Get help right away from a Oxford concussion doctor. Get an evaluation done. Do what is recommended to recover before heading back to the field. Contact Satterwhite Chiropractic to be a part of your post-concussion recovery team.