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New Jersey Sports Injuries Sports Related Head Injuries One of the most common sports related head injuries is a concussion. A concussion can be so mild that one may not realize that any injury is present at all. And it’s not just professional athletes who suffer from these types of head injuries. Head injuries and varying degrees of concussions occur every day in children and adults as well. What is a Concussion? The term “concussion” is an umbrella term that applies to all head injuries. Concussions should more accurately be called “brain injuries” due to the proximity with and the effects on the brain. The immediate response to one’s head making an impact with another object is inflammation. Inflammation in and around the brain changes the way the brain works. Most of the time, this result is temporary without any lasting effects. However, depending on the severity of injury, one’s genetic constitution, and one’s degree of good health, long term adverse effects can occur. Examples of long term adverse effects of head injury include chronic headaches, low energy, decreased immune system function, memory loss, dizziness, vertigo, ringing in the ears, neck pain, back pain and more. Head injuries are not always immediately evident and can cause trauma that may show up days, weeks or even months down the road. A study by Boston University revealed that 95% of former NFL players suffered from dementia, balance problems and many Alzheimer like symptoms (Smith, 2010). Symptoms If you or a loved one suffers a serious fall or even a jolt to the neck during sports, seek immediate medical attention with a licensed medical or sports oriented physician regardless of the symptoms. Prompt medical care is imperative. Last year, actress Natasha Richardson was actually walking and talking moments after experiencing blunt force trauma to the head. Unfortunately, her injury caused an Epidural Hematoma which is bleeding in the brain (Associated Press, 2009). Ultimately, this led to her death a few hours later. Follow-Up Care Consistent follow-up care is imperative in order to achieve a full recovery. Physical therapy increases the blood flow and promotes healing throughout the body, which in turn releases the pain and creates balance within the nervous and musculoskeletal systems. Chiropractic adjustments can realign the spine to restore you back to optimal health, and massage therapy can alleviate the pain associated with muscle injury associated with a head injury. Remember, brain injuries don’t just happen to professional athletes. They can happen to anyone who has the unfortunate event where one’s head makes excessive contact with an object. As the coach for both of my son’s football teams and a former athlete who was involved in contact sports throughout my childhood, I understand how common head injuries are. The key is to take them more seriously. Rest is imperative following a head injury. Proper medical diagnosis and follow up will reduce the risk of long term effects. If
you or someone you know has suffered from a head injury, seek emergency
medical advice when necessary. As a follow up, contact the Monmouth
Spine and Rehabilitation Center for a complimentary consultation
to see how our team of trained specialists can facilitate the healing
process. References |
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