Concussion Myths Part 3
In part 3 of our debunking myths about concussions we focus on what has been said about treatments and the do’s/don’ts
- There is no treatment for concussions
- This is definitely wrong. There is a lot that can be done to treat concussions and find where the symptoms are coming from to help alleviate them and get you back on track. A variety of effective, evidence based, treatments are available ranging from neck and back manual therapy, visual/vestibular rehab, exercise, diet/nutrition, counselling/mental health support (CBT – cognitive behavioral therapy), and more.
- Studies have shown the amount of force required to cause a concussion and to cause neck trauma. The amount needed to cause a concussion is far greater than that to cause injury to your neck. Therefore, if a diagnosis of concussion is made, we know for sure that there was enough force to also traumatize the neck. Also, about 90% of whiplash symptoms overlap with concussion symptoms, and so it is important to have that area addressed.
- This is definitely wrong. There is a lot that can be done to treat concussions and find where the symptoms are coming from to help alleviate them and get you back on track. A variety of effective, evidence based, treatments are available ranging from neck and back manual therapy, visual/vestibular rehab, exercise, diet/nutrition, counselling/mental health support (CBT – cognitive behavioral therapy), and more.
- You can treat a concussion with medication or other passive modalities.
- There is insufficient evidence to suggest any medication will successfully treat a concussion. Most of the time a pain medication is prescribed to help deal with headaches or inflammation from the immediate trauma that was endured. Although this may help short term while you’re recovering in the acute stage, it is not affecting your concussion in any way and may just be masking your symptoms as you move further along into your recovery, especially if there are lingering symptoms. The side effects to the medications also mimic concussion symptoms and could be painting a confusing picture.
- There is insufficient evidence to suggest any medication will successfully treat a concussion. Most of the time a pain medication is prescribed to help deal with headaches or inflammation from the immediate trauma that was endured. Although this may help short term while you’re recovering in the acute stage, it is not affecting your concussion in any way and may just be masking your symptoms as you move further along into your recovery, especially if there are lingering symptoms. The side effects to the medications also mimic concussion symptoms and could be painting a confusing picture.
- Having an increase in your symptoms is bad and should be avoided.
- This misconception seems to be one that many people have and keeps them from progressing through the post concussion phase. Patients seem to be concerned about having slight set backs and making their symptoms worse or damaging their brain if they get an increase in symptoms. The truth is that the body adapts to the stress you put on it and that is the way it can grow and heal. As long as there aren’t multiple physical hits to the head, putting yourself through stressors and trying to slowly desensitize yourself to them is part of the process during PCS. Therefore, identifying what is causing your symptoms to increase and gradually exposing/working your way into it is the correct method of response
Call 604.988.7080 or book online fih.janeapp.com to make sure you’re on the right path to recovery.