When it comes to understanding and treating concussions, the latest episode of my podcast “Your Lifestyle is Your Medicine” offers an enlightening perspective on a subject that affects millions each year.

I recently interviewed Dr. Perry Mayard, a board-certified chiropractic neurologist, in episode 36 of the podcast. We unravel the complexities of concussions and post-concussive syndrome; his expertise emphasizes the need for a clear understanding of this mechanism for proper diagnosis and management. In this article, I want to share some of the nuggets that we discussed.

The Definition of a Concussion

A concussion is a brain injury that occurs when a force is transmitted to the body, whether it be the head or another part of the body. The brain, which sits inside the skull surrounded by cerebral spinal fluid, can experience a movement or sloshing effect when a force is transmitted to the body. This movement can lead to the stretching of high-speed connections in the brain, resulting in a concussion. It is important to note that a concussion can occur without a direct hit to the head. Force transmitted to other parts of the body can still cause a concussion. This is something to be aware of in both sports and life when you don’t directly hit your head but still have symptoms of a concussion. 

Diagnosing a Concussion

In the acute setting, such as sports-related concussions, a concussion can be diagnosed using a sports concussion assessment tool like SCAT (Sports Concussion Assessment Tool). This tool includes assessments for levels of consciousness, neck fractures, brain bleeds, visual tracking, inner ear function, balance, and cognitive function. In the chronic setting, where patients present with symptoms months or years after a concussion, a more detailed evaluation is required. Neurologists will use a host of different assessments such as;r visual tracking, balance, inner ear function, and cognitive function can help diagnose the type and severity of a concussion.

Treatment Options for Concussions and Dizziness

The treatment for concussions and dizziness varies depending on the specific symptoms and underlying causes.
Concussions have different subtypes which all present with different symptoms and need different approaches for rehabilitation. 

• Classic Concussion: This subtype involves the typical symptoms of concussion, such as headache, or migraines, dizziness, confusion, memory problems, and sensitivity to light and noise. 
• Post-Concussion Syndrome (PCS): PCS refers to a condition where concussion symptoms persist for weeks or months after the initial injury. Symptoms may include persistent headaches, difficulty concentrating, memory problems, irritability, sleep disturbances, and other symptoms that don’t seem related to the initial injury
• Vestibular Concussion: This subtype involves symptoms related to the vestibular system, which controls balance and spatial orientation. Symptoms may include dizziness, vertigo, imbalance, and difficulty with coordination.
• Ocular Concussion: In ocular concussion, symptoms primarily affect vision. This may include blurred vision, double vision, difficulty focusing, and sensitivity to light.
• Emotional/Behavioral Concussion: Some individuals may experience changes in mood, behavior, or emotional regulation following a concussion. Symptoms may include irritability, depression, anxiety, mood swings, and difficulty with impulse control.
• Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy (CTE): While not an immediate subtype, repeated concussions over time, especially in contact sports or high-risk occupations, can lead to the development of CTE, a progressive neurodegenerative disease associated with symptoms such as memory loss, cognitive decline, behavioral changes, and movement disorders. This is a concern with most combat and impact sports. 

Treatment approaches:

1. Vision Therapy: focuses on improving eye movement and coordination. It can help individuals with visual tracking issues, ocular motor deficits, and visual perception problems. This therapy aims to retrain the eyes and improve their ability to focus and process visual information.
2. Vestibular Rehabilitation: This is used to address issues related to the inner ear and balance. It can help individuals with dizziness, vertigo, and disequilibrium. This therapy involves exercises and techniques to improve balance, coordination, and the brain’s ability to process vestibular information.
3. Cervical Manipulation: also known as neck manipulation, focuses on addressing neck issues that may contribute to dizziness. By improving the function and mobility of the neck, this therapy can help alleviate symptoms related to cervical proprioception, which is the brain’s ability to perceive the position of the neck and head in space.
4. Other Treatment Options: for concussions and dizziness include cognitive behavioral therapy, neural feedback, and supplementation with nutrients like creatine, fish oil, and magnesium. These interventions aim to support brain function, reduce inflammation, and mitigate symptoms associated with concussions and dizziness.

I know from personal experience and from treating patients for 20 years that concussions and dizziness can have a significant impact on an individual’s well-being and daily functioning. I still think I can’t speak French because of all the rugby I used to play…that’s my excuse anyway.

It’s crucial to understand the definition of a concussion, how concussions are diagnosed, and the available treatment options. If you or someone you know is experiencing symptoms related to concussions or dizziness, it is essential to seek professional evaluation and appropriate treatment.

Watch the full interview below or listen to it HERE via your favorite blog service. 

Why is it important to be able to move your own body?

Back in 2014, a group of researchers in Brazil conducted a test called “the sit rise test”, in order to assess the mobility and strength of individuals aged 50 and above [1]. The test required participants to get down to the ground and rise back up without using their hands. The study found that individuals who scored lower on this test were more likely to die of any cause in the next 5 years than people who could do the test easily. For me, this highlights the importance of maintaining mobility in the hip joints as we age. The reason is that if the hips are strong and flexible and your balance is good the “sit rise test” becomes a proxy test for your general robustness. If you can’t do it, or have to put a hand down, etc, the test shows you that your levels of physical robustness can be improved. 

Sometimes the exercise is the test, and the test is the exercise, but in this case, I want to show you 4 exercises that require no equipment and will help you will help you become stronger and more flexible as you age. 

So, let’s get started!

The Primal Squat

The Primal Squat is a fundamental bodyweight exercise that everyone should be able to perform. It involves getting into a squat position with your hands on the ground. However, this position can be challenging for some individuals. To make it easier, you can use a small wedge under your heels to provide support and stability.. Over time, you can gradually reduce the lift from the wedge to challenge your range of motion and improve your hip, knee, and ankle flexibility.

Additionally, if you find the position hard to get into you can hold on to something in front of you so that your arms take some of your weight. This way you can slowly lower yourself down as well as use your arms to help you up.

Over time you can put more emphasis on your your legs and use your arms to help you less. 

The Dead Hang

Shoulder mobility tends to decline as we age due to lack of use. One effective exercise for improving shoulder mobility is the dead hang. You can use a bar, a door frame, or rings to perform this exercise. By lowering yourself down and allowing your hands to go over your head, you can stretch and improve the flexibility of your shoulders. Gradually increasing the duration of the hang can lead to significant improvements in the strength and mobility of your hands, forearms, elbows, and shoulders, and who doesn’t want stronger arms?

Hip Stretches

As the hips are the largest joint in the body they play a crucial role in overall flexibility and mobility. For example, tightness in the hamstrings and weak posterior chain muscles can lead to back problems and limited range of motion. One effective exercise for stretching the hamstrings and improving hip flexibility is stepping backward with one leg and then bending that same knee. As you do this you can hinge at the hips and you will stretch the hamstrings on the opposite side. By varying the direction of your step backward, you can target different muscle groups within the hamstring region. The Cossack squat, which involves going wide and stretching the hamstring and groin section, is an advanced exercise that further enhances hip flexibility.

The Pivot Stretch

The pivot stretch is an exercise that combines hip mobility and shoulder mobility. This stretch builds on the stretch you learned earlier for the hamstrings. Instead of just stepping backwards you also step forwards into a lunge stretch for the front of the hip. While you are stepping forward and backward you can raise both arms over your head to start mobilizing your shoulders. This exercise allows you to target multiple muscle groups and improve flexibility in the hips and shoulders. It is a time-efficient way to enhance mobility in these areas.

Ultimately these bodyweight exercises offer a holistic approach to enhancing flexibility and strength in key areas of the body. Remember to start slowly and gradually increase the intensity and duration of each exercise. Consistency is key when it comes to achieving long-term results. So, give these exercises a try and experience the transformative power of better mobility!

I help people use a combination of lifestyle medicine and specific exercises to help them recover from illness and injury while ultimately adding healthspan to their lifespan.

If you are interested in how I can help you send me a message via the “Contact Us” page and I’ll see if I can help. 

Sources:

[1] https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23242910/