A concussion is a type of traumatic brain injury that results from the brain moving rapidly back and forth or banging against the side of the skull. This sudden movement can stretch and damage brain tissue and trigger a series of harmful changes that may interfere with normal brain activities. If you happened to experience a concussion in New York City recently, you may have started noticing several symptoms like headaches, fatigue and fogginess that has been persisting since the injury. This could mean that you have post-concussion syndrome, but we can effectively address this problem with physical therapy and acupuncture.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates that at least 3.8 million concussions occur in the U.S. each year, but this figure can be even higher since many individuals fail to report concussions. A concussion can result from any traumatic force to the head, such as a fall or car accident, but the majority of them occur in sports and recreational activities like football, rugby, soccer, hockey and boxing. Less than 10% of concussions result in a loss of consciousness, which is why anyone who experiences a blow to the head should be evaluated and monitored afterwards for symptoms.
The immediate and short-term physical symptoms of a concussion include headache, dizziness, nausea/vomiting, fatigue, difficulty sleeping, double or blurred vision, sensitivity to light and/or sound and problems with balance. Other cognitive and emotional symptoms may include confusion, problems with memory and concentration, fogginess, irritability, depression/anxiety, aggression, personality changes and mood swings.
Fortunately, the physical symptoms of a concussion subside within 7-10 days in about 90% of cases, but mental symptoms may last longer for some. Other individuals may experience a condition called post-concussion syndrome, which is a collection of both physical and mental symptoms like fatigue, headaches and fogginess that remain long after the concussion occurred. These lingering symptoms usually only last for a few weeks, but can continue for 3-6 months in some individuals.
Physical therapy and acupuncture are an effective combination for lingering symptoms of a concussion in New York City
If you had a concussion in New York City recently and are still dealing with symptoms, a combination of physical therapy and acupuncture can help. Here’s what we typically recommend for patients with post-concussion syndrome:
- Physical therapy
- Advice on rest and limiting activity during your recovery to allow time for the brain to heal
- Exercises to increase strength and endurance
- Various techniques to reduce headache occurrence
- Vestibular physical therapy to address any balance issues
- Acupuncture
- Has been found to be effective for treating headaches, anxiety and other symptoms associated with post-concussion syndrome
- Can help to reduce and eventually eliminate the leakage of blood or other fluids from their normal vessels, which obstructs the flow of fresh, nourishing blood to the injured area
- Can relieve nerve blockages that may result from a concussion, which will restore the movement of electrical signals along the affected nerve
Contact Dynamic Sports Physical Therapy at 212-317-8303 if you’ve recently experienced a concussion in New York City to find out how we can help you and to schedule an appointment today, or click here for more information on post-concussion syndrome.
