The brain acts as a command center, using nerves to send messages to the rest of your body. From muscle movement and sensory perception to autonomous responses like breathing and digestion, the brain sends and receives signals on your body systems and processes. In order for those messages to be transferred between the body and the brain, they must be sent through the pathways of the spinal cord.
Our skull acts as a protective barrier around our brain to prevent trauma from every day activity however, when a violent impact occurs, the brain can be shifted, twisted, or slammed against the bony structure of the skull. This causes strain on your nerves and blood vessels which results in brain function being affected. This is categorized as a concussion.
Most concussions occur due to impact to the head during sports play, automobile accidents, and falls among the very young or elderly. While symptoms of a concussion can vary based on the individual, the most common of these are balance issues, changes in sleep patterns, ringing in the ears, depression or sadness, temporary loss of consciousness, nausea or vomiting, and headaches. In most instances of a single concussion, the brain is able to recover quickly but people who have had multiple concussions or more than one concussion in close succession may suffer more structural damage leading to longer and more severe concussive affects.
Chiropractors are able to help with concussions by focusing on restoring function and easing pain caused by the trauma to the head and brain. Manual therapy provided through trigger points can target the specific muscles that were affected by the accident to improve movement and relieve pain. The C1 and C2 vertebrates make up the pivot joint that allow for moment of our head. During violent bumps, blows, or jolts, these vertebrates become misaligned and can cause severe headaches and memory lapse. Realigning these vertebrates can ease symptoms. When the T6 vertebrae is misaligned, digestion can be dysregulated and nausea can occur. Again, realigning the vertebrae can aid in relief of these symptoms. Additionally, a care program can be implemented with rehabilitation exercises that the patient can do at home to continue the rebuilding process.
Trauma to the head can often result in concussions that impair function and movement in the body. Chiropractic care can reestablish important operations in the body and relieve many common symptoms.