Benefits of Chiropractic Care for Head Injuries

According to the Brain Injury Association of America, one person in the United States sustains a head injury every nine seconds. These injuries, caused by falls, sports, automobile accidents, and assault, frequently result in long-term physical and cognitive difficulties. However, with comprehensive treatment that includes chiropractic care for head injuries, patients can make a full recovery and even experience significant enhancements in their quality of life.

This post will examine chiropractic care as a natural approach to recovering from head trauma.

Common Types of Head Injuries

A head injury is any trauma to the scalp, skull, or brain. It is sometimes also called a traumatic brain injury.

Common types of head injuries include the following:

• A concussion is a mild traumatic brain injury caused by a blow or jolt to the head, leading to temporary loss of normal brain function. Symptoms can include headache, nausea or vomiting, confusion, dizziness, and sometimes fainting.
• A skull fracture is a break in one or more bones in the skull, often caused by a direct impact or blow. It can range from a simple linear fracture to a more complex fracture that may also damage underlying brain tissue.
• An intracranial hematoma is the collection of blood within the skull, often resulting from a ruptured blood vessel. Surgical intervention is necessary to remove the accumulated blood.

A person with a severe brain injury may lose muscle control, fine motor skills, speech, vision, hearing, or taste. Their behavior or personality may also change. This underscores the importance of proper treatment and rehabilitation to help individuals recover and adapt to any lasting disabilities.

How Chiropractic Care Can Help

Chiropractic care is a holistic approach focused on diagnosing and treating musculoskeletal disorders, especially those related to the spine. It operates on the belief that a properly aligned spine ensures optimal nervous system function, supporting the body's natural healing abilities.

This treatment can be particularly beneficial for head injuries. Such injuries often impact the neck and upper spine, leading to misalignments that can worsen symptoms like headaches and dizziness. By realigning the spine, chiropractic treatments alleviate pressure on the nervous system, reduce inflammation, and improve blood flow to the brain, addressing underlying issues.

Chiropractic care for head injuries offers a natural and safe treatment option, whereas medication and surgery primarily manage symptoms or involve invasive procedures. As it enhances the body's inherent healing processes, health improvements become more sustainable without the risks and side effects associated with medication and surgery.

Research supports the benefits of chiropractic care for patients recovering from head injuries. A 2018 case report published in the Chiropractic Journal of Australia described how chiropractic management of three teenage football players with concussion resolved their symptoms, including headache and neck pain.

Chiropractic Techniques for Head Injuries

Chiropractors use various techniques to treat head injuries. The common ones include the following:

• Spinal manipulation adjusts the spine to improve alignment and relieve pressure on nerves, which can help reduce headaches, dizziness, and other symptoms associated with head injuries.
• Cranial manipulation involves gentle adjustments to the bones of the skull to improve the flow of cerebrospinal fluid and relieve tension. The primary cranial techniques are the sacro-occipital technique and applied kinesiology.
• Soft tissue mobilization targets muscles, ligaments, and tendons around the head and the neck to reduce pain, improve blood flow, and enhance healing.
• Myofascial release technique relieves tension in the fascia, the connective tissue surrounding muscles and organs. It helps reduce pain and improve mobility, which can address muscle stiffness and discomfort after a head injury.

Chiropractic Treatment Benefits for Head Injuries

Chiropractic care offers several benefits for patients recovering from head injuries.

• Alleviates headaches, neck pain, and muscle tension 
• Resolves cognitive symptoms (e.g., confusion, memory issues, difficulty concentrating)
• Enhances nervous system function and cerebral blood flow
• Promotes the body's natural recovery processes
• Complements rehabilitative therapies such as physical, occupational, and cognitive therapy

Incorporating Chiropractic Care into Head Injury Rehabilitation

It's important that your chiropractor for head injuries is on the same page as your other healthcare providers. Be open to your chiropractor about your symptoms, progress, and treatment preferences to receive comprehensive and effective treatment.

Regular visits to your chiropractor are also essential during the rehabilitation process. Consistent adjustments and therapies help maintain spinal alignment, reduce pain, and promote overall healing. It also allows your chiropractor to monitor your progress and make adjustments to your treatment plan as needed.

To maximize the benefits of chiropractic care, adopt a healthy lifestyle. Follow these tips.

• Eat a balanced diet rich in nutrients.
• Get adequate rest and sleep.
• Return to your work, social, recreational, and/or athletic activities gradually, not all at once.
• Manage stress effectively.
• Limit alcohol consumption and stop smoking.

Takeaway

Head injuries, regardless of severity, can have profound and lasting effects. Chiropractic care for head injuries offers a valuable avenue for recovery and healing. 

Dr. Holly Geersen of Total Wellness Center can provide personalized chiropractic care that complements conventional treatments and rehabilitation therapies. Her expertise in spinal manipulation and sacro-occipital technique helps optimize therapeutic outcomes for patients recovering from head injuries.
We at Total Wellness Center aim to support your journey to recovery. Call (303) 627-7995 today to schedule an appointment.