Concussion Care with Neurofeedback
The issue of athletes enduring concussions and traumatic brain injuries while participating in competitive sports has been a hot topic for athletic organizations, medical professionals, and parents. The fact remains that brain injuries of any kind can have damaging, long-term effects on a person’s health if therapies such as neurofeedback are not utilized.
According to the Brain Injury Research Institute, an estimated 2-4 million sports and recreation-related concussions occur in the United States each year (Protect the Brain). Children and teens make up approximately 70% of patients receiving emergency services due to these types of injuries.
What is a concussion?
A concussion is known as a mild traumatic brain injury (TBI). It typically occurs when the head experiences a sudden impact or whip-lash. These abrupt movements cause the brain to strike the skull wall, which leads to bruising and internal bleeding. A concussion can cause symptoms such as unconsciousness, drowsiness, memory problems, confusion, headaches, dizziness, nausea, vomiting, sensitivity to light or noise, and balance problems. Concussions are damaging to the brain even if none of the above symptoms are present.
Why is it important to treat concussions?
If ignored, concussions may cause more harm than most people realize. Untreated concussions can lead to a decline in academics, relationships, job performance, physical ability, and mental health.
It is common for concussions to go unnoticed. As adults, it may be easier for us to distinguish when we need to seek medical attention after experiencing a brain injury. However, if you have a child or teen who has recently suffered a blow to the head during a sports activity or other accident, you should consider making an appointment with a neurofeedback specialist who can evaluate their condition and start any necessary treatment.
How does neurofeedback help with concussion symptoms?
Concussions are one of the conditions we help with most successfully here at Healthy Within. When suffering from a concussion or traumatic brain injury, a person’s brain waves can be negatively impacted. Certified practitioners are able to use neurofeedback to determine the state of the brain’s wave activity. EEG-based protocols are used to regulate the rhythm of the brain waves. This integrative, noninvasive, and non medicative approach is focused on restoring hope and a healthy lifestyle rather than simply concentrating on the disease or symptoms.
Research suggests that neurofeedback can be very effective when used to manage unwanted concussion symptoms. One medical report from 2015 focuses on a 17 year old female athlete suffering from headaches following two sport-related concussions. After 22 sessions of neurofeedback, her headaches ceased and her QEEG normalized.
At Healthy Within, we do not diagnose or medicate our patients but instead, curate individualized protocols for our patients.
Have you or a loved one recently experienced a head injury? We want to help! Healthy Within is an integrative brain health center, experienced in incorporating neurofeedback to help people re-engage in their wholeness and wellness. We also help clients with ADHD, PTSD, depression, anxiety, OCD, stroke, dementia and more!
Contact us for more information about how we can help you get your mind and brain back to functioning at its calm, confident self.
References
http://www.protectthebrain.org/
Michael Linden; The Effects of QEEG-Guided Neurofeedback on Postconcussion Syndrome. Biofeedback 1 May 2015; 43 (1): 42–44. doi: https://doi.org/10.5298/1081-5937-43.1.08
Sarmiento K, Thomas KE, Daugherty J, et al. Emergency Department Visits for Sports- and Recreation-Related Traumatic Brain Injuries Among Children — United States, 2010–2016. MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep 2019;68:237–242. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.15585/mmwr.mm6810a2external icon.
