Concussion / Post-Concussion Syndrome & NUCCA
Researchers Find Link Between Head Injury and Neck Injury
UB’s Researcher John Leddy has found it difficult to distinguish concussion injury from neck injury based on symptoms alone.
Post-concussion symptoms and upper neck injury symptoms are nearly identical. Simply getting checked for this problem will identify if your symptoms are correctable with this safe and gentle adjustment.
“I think a lot of practitioners listen to the symptoms and just chalk it up to concussion, but if they also examined the neck in these people, they might discover that a neck injury is involved and that’s a treatable problem.”
What Happened During Your Concussion
Concussion injuries can be divided into two categories, the primary brain injury and the secondary brain injury. The primary brain injury is the injury that was sustained during the traumatic event (car accident, sports injury, fall, etc.). The secondary brain injury is a result of the structural damage to the upper neck which alters brain health and function. These changes affects blood flow, cerebral spinal fluid (CSF) flow, and often leads to symptoms including:
- Headaches
- Migraines
- Neck Pain
- Vertigo / Dizziness
- Brain Fog
- Anxiety
- Mood Changes
- Difficulty Concentrating
A Blood Flow & CSF Flow Problem
Advances in MRI studies have allowed researchers to study changes in brain blood flow and CSF flow in concussion sufferers. The image clearly shows blood flow blockage as it exits the brain. What happens next is a buildup of waste unable to drain. This is similar to a backup in your plumbing. When the waste cannot drain, there will be a buildup of toxins and pressure surrounding the brain. Pressure inside the head is called intracranial pressure which alters brain function, leading to neurological symptoms including post-concussion syndrome. The waste must be allowed to flush before symptoms can diminish.
Research Proves NUCCA Effectiveness
National Upper Cervical Chiropractic Association (NUCCA) recently performed research studying the effectiveness of the NUCCA correction at removing misalignment of the Upper Cervical Spine and the influences this has on blood flow and CSF flow from the brain. The study showed that after only 8 weeks, patients had significant increase in flow in and out of the brain.
This increase in flow meant:
- Backup of waste was being drained
- Brain was getting more oxygen
- Pressure on the brain was eliminated
- Symptoms were finally able to reduce
NUCCA May Be The Missing Link To Your Concussion
The NUCCA organization has specially trained doctors to correct the misalignment of the upper cervical spine, allowing post-concussion symptoms to reduce naturally. If you haven’t heard of NUCCA Upper Cervical Care, that is because there are only 250 trained NUCCA doctors in the entire United States. So what makes this care different from general chiropractic?
- Extremely gentle corrections. When a NUCCA doctors makes a correction to the spine, a light and controlled pressure is focused on the upper spine, in just the right direction and depth. It is completely painless.
- NUCCA is highly precise. NUCCA utilizes mathematics and biomechanics to accommodate each patients “SPECIFIC” needs. Exact measurements are taken to tailor the correction to each patient.
- Long-Lasting Results. Upper cervical care is designed around healing and recovery. As problem or damaged areas begin to heal and recover, corrections and relief last longer as well. This means far less frequent health visits.
NUCCA Chiropractors frequently find a significant upper neck misalignment in those who have suffered a trauma to the head or neck. To see if your post-concussion symptoms are stemming from this same problem, visit your New Jersey NUCCA Chiropractor. Consultations are complimentary and will allow your doctor to identify if an upper cervical spinal misalignment is the cause.
