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Treating Concussions

San Diego Concussion Treatment
and NUCCA Spinal Care

You cannot have a concussion without also having a neck injury. The head and neck are intimately connected, and it is critical that both injuries be managed right away. Our doctors have post-graduate training in assessing and treating head and neck injuries.

Our upper cervical care doctors have extensive experience in stabilizing the neck and providing concussion treatment so patients heal faster. We also co-manage complex cases with other providers. Even if you don’t decide to come see us for concussion care, we encourage you to at least follow instructions for concussion treatment at home. If you suspect you need concussion treatment in San Diego, CA, don’t wait. Call our office or schedule an appointment here.

Concussions May Be More Common – and More Dangerous – Than You Think

At Intouch Chiropractic in San Diego, we provide excellent concussion treatment in San Diego, CA. Many people commonly associate concussions with sports, but in reality, any injury that shakes or rattles the brain can be harmful. You may be thinking, “I don’t play football, soccer, or hockey.” However, bumping your head on a hard surface or even in a car accident can be enough to cause a traumatic brain injury. Get concussion treatment or help as soon as possible.

The first 7 days after a head injury are critical, and some patients only show symptoms 48 hours after the injury. It is vitally important to get treatment even if you only suspect a mild concussion.

Common Concussion
Symptoms Include:

Brain Fog
Fatigue
Light sensitivity
Sound Sensitivity
Headaches

Inability to Concentrate
Poor Memory
Balance Problems
Incoordination

If You Suspect a Concussion

We recommend that you take extra precautions if you even suspect a concussion. Most patients don’t realize the severity of a direct or indirect hit to the head or body and the potential consequences of even a mild concussion. Whether a concussion is mild or severe, all concussions should be treated as serious injuries to avoid long-lasting consequences. It is critical that you are fully evaluated by a doctor within the first 7-10 days of the incident.

Immediately After the Trauma

Concussion treatment at home:

Make sure you stay awake for the first 2-3 hours immediately after the incident. We recommend having a friend or family member with you to monitor you continuously. Do not spend this critical window of time alone.
Do not drive yourself or be left alone. If you need to go seek treatment, do not drive yourself.
After the initial 2-3 hours, sleep in 2-3 hour increments.
It is critical that someone wakes you up every 3 hours. Have them ask you simple questions like where you live, what year it is, etc. If you are unable to answer them, get immediate help, as a more serious brain injury has possibly occurred

Go to the Emergency Room Right Away If You Experience:

Quick deterioration of your symptoms
Severe headache that came on suddenly
Slurred or slow speech

Inability to be woken up
Multiple vomiting episodes
Inability to answer simple questions

Get help right away, even if you only believe you need mild concussion treatment. The first few days are critical for being able to recover quickly and avoiding Post-Concussion Syndrome. If you’re looking for a chiropractor for concussion treatment in San Diego, we can help!

San Diego chiropractor Dr. Devin Young reviews a concussion related x-ray

What is a Concussion?

A concussion is a blow to the head that can occur with or without losing consciousness.

In the past, it was believed that the symptoms were transient or could only occur within a short window, but we now know that this is not always the case. Patients can suffer from long-term fatigue, light and sound sensitivity, brain fog, headaches, and problems with concentration, memory, balance, and coordination for many years. This condition is known as Post-Concussion Syndrome.

The Symptoms of Post-Concussion Syndrome

Post-concussion syndrome affects 10-20% of concussion sufferers. There are several factors that cause post-concussion syndrome. A common source can be an unresolved neck injury.

These complex cases require a co-managed approach and require more time to resolve. Since this is an invisible injury, many times, patients do not take the time to rest their brains to fully recover. Even if you only suspect a concussion, it is very important to get professional help right away. If you suspect you may need concussion treatment in San Diego, CA, don’t wait. Call our office or schedule an appointment here.

Common Questions

Concussion FAQs

Have More Questions? Visit Our Full FAQ Page.

What Are the Symptoms of a Concussion?

Concussion symptoms vary widely and can include headaches, dizziness, balance problems, and nausea, along with confusion, memory trouble, and difficulty concentrating. Many people also experience fatigue, disrupted sleep, irritability, or mood changes. Symptoms sometimes don't appear for hours or even days after the injury.

How Long Does It Take to Recover From a Concussion?

Most concussions improve within a few weeks to a month with proper rest and care. However, symptoms lasting longer than that may signal Post-Concussion Syndrome, which affects roughly 10-20% of concussion sufferers and often requires a more targeted, co-managed treatment approach.

What Is Post-Concussion Syndrome?

Post-Concussion Syndrome is when concussion symptoms like headaches, brain fog, and balance or memory problems persist well beyond the typical recovery window, sometimes for months or longer. An unresolved neck injury is a common contributing factor we see, which is why treating the neck alongside the head is so important.

What Should I Do Immediately After a Concussion?

Stay awake and monitored by someone else for the first 2-3 hours after the injury, then sleep in 2-3 hour increments with someone waking you to ask simple questions like where you live or what year it is. If you can't answer, or symptoms escalate quickly, get help right away — the first few days are critical to recovering well.

When Should I Go to the Emergency Room for a Concussion?

Go to the emergency room right away if you experience quick deterioration of symptoms, a severe headache that comes on suddenly, slurred or slow speech, inability to be woken up, multiple vomiting episodes, or inability to answer simple questions. These can signal a more serious brain injury.

Can a Chiropractor Help With Concussion Recovery?

Yes. You can't have a concussion without also injuring the neck, since the two are so closely connected, and unresolved neck injury is a common reason recovery stalls. Our doctors have post-graduate training in head and neck injuries and use NUCCA Spinal Care to stabilize the neck, often helping patients heal faster while co-managing complex cases with other providers.