As many as 500,000 children visit the emergency room each year for a traumatic brain injury, making this the single-largest cause of emergency room visits among adolescents. Around 80 to 90 percent of these are mild concussions and not life threatening. However, even mild brain injuries can have long-lasting effects as they often change the way the brain functions. Many children get these while playing sports or just playing rough with their friends. It is important to note that a child may have suffered a concussion regardless of whether he or she loses consciousness.
Children will often exhibit a number of symptoms that will let you know they may be suffering from a concussion. The symptoms may present right away or may not show up until days after the initial trauma. Not all of the following have to be present:
- Tiredness, dizziness, or feeling off balance
- Short-term forgetfulness of newly learned skills
- Trouble concentrating, remembering, or thinking
- Tinnitus – ringing in the ears
- A mild to a moderate headache
- Nausea and vomiting
- Moodiness – being restless, sad, or irritable
- Changes in sleep patterns
If you notice any of these changes in your child, it is important to have him or her do the following things to help care for the concussion:
- Rest
- Avoid repeat concussions
- Use proper protection when playing sports
- Visit an upper cervical chiropractor
Concussions and Upper Cervical Care
If you suspect your child has suffered a concussion, it is a good idea to see an upper cervical chiropractor. Here at Body Balance Spinal Care in Sacramento, California, we will examine your child to see if either the C1 or 2 vertebra has misaligned. If this has occurred, the brainstem may be under stress and sending improper signals to the brain, leading to the above-mentioned symptoms.
We use a method that is safe for both adults and children. It is a gentle technique that helps the bones of the neck to move back into place without the need for popping or cracking. This allows the body to heal and your child can start feeling relief from post-concussion symptoms.
To schedule a complimentary NUCCA consultation call 916-973-0623 on click the button below.
If you are outside of the Sacramento area you can find an Upper Cervical Doctor near you at www.uppercervicalawareness.com.