A concussion impacts judgment, memory, balance, speech, muscle coordination, and reflexes. You might also experience forgetfulness or amnesia. After a concussion, you might suffer persistent symptoms, including concentration and memory issues, personality changes, mood swings, fatigue, dizziness, excess drowsiness, and insomnia. These are post-concussion syndrome signs and may last several weeks and months.
Concussion and post-concussion recovery differs depending on the victim’s age, ability to get sufficient brain and physical rest, and pre-existing physical or mental conditions. This post discusses five tips on how to recover from concussion and post-concussion syndrome.
Opt for chiropractic neurology treatment
Chiropractic neurology or Functional Neurology concentrates on determining and treating the particular brain areas impacted by the injury to help you recover from concussion and post-concussion syndrome. Its objective is to rehabilitate your nervous system to enhance overall performance and function. Functional neurology can treat concussion, post-concussion syndrome, and any other brain injury by:
- Performing comprehensive diagnostic tests to determine the specific parts of the nervous system and brain the head injury has affected
- Challenging the brain through neurological exercises
- Using sensory stimulation to boost function in particular brain areas
- Providing nutritional support, and
- Suggesting exercises that can help improve blood flow to promote new neurons growth and reduce inflammation
Take enough brain and physical rest
The brain requires additional fuel to repair damaged cells after a concussion. The blood flow responsible for delivering fuel to your brain reduces. Excess mental or physical activity soon after a concussion may result in serious concussion symptoms and can prolong recovery. As such, consider reducing physical tasks that need significant physical and brain energy, including work, school, video games, social media, and sports, to let your brain rest. This will allow your symptoms to reduce and the body to take the extra fuel the brain needs to support your recovery.
Increase physical activity gradually
After the initial days of rest, you can slowly start increasing physical activity. Nevertheless, any activity that can risk another concussion should be avoided. Avoid head or body-jolting activities, including contact sports, jumping, and running. Start with mild workouts that increase the heart rate without aggravating your symptoms. Exercise in a pool or ride a stationary workout bike. You can also walk, but at a cautious pace, or use an elliptical machine. Ensure your doctor guides your exercises.
You might experience post-concussion exercise intolerance due to vision issues, cerebral autoregulation, vestibular problems, or autonomic nervous system dysfunction. Your doctors can help you identify which of these causes is making you exercise intolerant and suggest a suitable solution.
Change your diet
Concussion leads to metabolic dysfunction during the initial stages. Making simple nutrition changes can help treat neuro-inflammation and metabolic dysfunction. Don’t eat pro-inflammatory foods like pasta, white bread, refined sugars, artificial sweeteners, alcohol, caffeine, and fad diets. Ensure your diet contains proteins, healthy lipids, carbohydrates, antioxidants, minerals, and vitamins. Your snacks should also be healthy.
Consider active rehabilitation
Active rehabilitation or therapy is an excellent treatment for helping restore healthy cognitive function. Post-concussion syndrome recovery requires several therapies, including physical, vestibular, speech, occupational, vision, massage, and music therapies.
Endnote
Healing from a concussion and post-concussion syndrome may take time, depending on your strategies. Implement these tips to recover from concussion and post-concussion syndrome.
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