A concussion is a mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI) that occurs when the brain is shaken inside the skull due to a direct blow to the head, whiplash, or sudden impact.
Concussions are common in contact sports, car accidents, and falls, often leading to:
Headaches or pressure in the head
Dizziness or balance issues
Brain fog, difficulty concentrating, or memory problems
Sensitivity to light and sound
Nausea and fatigue
Emotional changes, such as irritability or anxiety
When you sustain a concussion, your neck and upper spine are almost always affected.
The impact causes misalignments and restricted movement in the cervical spine (neck) and upper back, which disrupts the body’s natural healing processes in several ways:
CSF is the brain’s primary source of nutrition and waste removal, carrying away dead or damaged cells. The spinal column acts as a pump, circulating CSF with every movement. When spinal motion is restricted due to trauma, CSF can stagnate, slowing brain repair and leading to prolonged concussion symptoms.
90% of brain stimulation comes from spinal movement—when the spine is restricted, so is brain function. Concussions can cause fixated joints in the cervical spine, leading to brain fog, headaches, and slow recovery.
Trauma can cause the spinal cord to become tangled with surrounding tissues, further disrupting fluid flow and nerve function. MRI studies have shown that chiropractic adjustments improve CSF circulation, allowing the brain to heal more effectively.
At Chiropractic Science, we take a comprehensive, hands-on approach to concussion recovery by addressing spinal dysfunction and optimizing brain-body communication.
Our treatment includes:
Spinal & Upper Neck Adjustments – Restoring movement in the cervical spine to improve CSF flow and reduce tension on the brain and nervous system.
Postural & Neurological Assessments – Identifying imbalances caused by the concussion to create a targeted recovery plan.
Soft Tissue Therapy – Releasing adhesions and muscle tension that contribute to lingering symptoms.
Rehabilitation Exercises – Strengthening neck and postural muscles to restore balance and prevent future injury.
Nerves are the slowest-healing tissue in the body, meaning that delayed treatment can prolong symptoms and recovery.
The sooner you address spinal misalignments after a concussion, the faster your brain can receive the oxygen, nutrients, and fluid movement it needs to heal.
MRI studies have shown that spinal adjustments increase cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) circulation, improving brain function after trauma (Flanagan, 2010).
Research in the Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics found that chiropractic care helps relieve post-concussion headaches, dizziness, and balance issues (Smith et al., 2012).
Another study highlighted the link between cervical spine dysfunction and prolonged concussion symptoms, reinforcing the importance of chiropractic intervention (Marshall et al., 2016).
In the high-impact world of the National Football League (NFL), concussions are a significant concern. To address this, all 32 NFL teams have integrated chiropractic care into their health strategies, recognizing its benefits in managing injuries and enhancing performance.
While specific studies on chiropractic adjustments for concussed NFL players are limited, chiropractic care has been embraced by many NFL players seeking non-pharmaceutical options for recovery.
If you’ve suffered a concussion, don’t wait for symptoms to persist or worsen.
Address the root cause of your symptoms and optimize your recovery with chiropractic care.
Contact Chiropractic Science in Cromer today and start feeling better, faster.