Concussion

Concussion Treatment: A Oklahoma City, OK and Surrounding Areas Chiropactor's Perspective

A concussion, known as a minor form of traumatic brain injury (TBI), is an injury that results from trauma to the head. When the trauma occurs, it causes the brain to move rapidly within the skull, causing it to slam into the inner part of the skull. Reasoning it is considered mild is that concussions typically do not cause permanent damage to the brain or any of its cells. It can possible, however, for concussion symptoms to persist for weeks, months, or even years. This has the potential to be debilitating for the individual, as it can have a profound impact on his/her quality of life and ability to function.

Luckily, most symptoms of a concussion resolve in a reasonable amount of time. During that time, though, the symptoms can be highly uncomfortable. Some of the most common symptoms of a concussion include headaches, neck pain, confusion, vision changes, memory loss, nausea, and fatigue, though not every concussion sufferer will experience the same symptoms. Different people experience different symptoms with a concussion is uniquely different and dependent on several factors including what kind of trauma was sustained. There is a common misconception that you only have a concussion if you lose consciousness during the trauma. This is simply not true, as it is very possible (and very common) to get a concussion while maintaining your consciousness.

Therefore it is so important to be evaluated by a health care professional if you experience any type of trauma to the head, even if you feel completely fine in the moment. Sometimes concussion symptoms don’t start until days or even weeks following the incident. Knowing the kinds of symptoms concussions cause can help you identify an injury and empower you to maintain dialogue with your health care provider about how your situation is developing. The biggest takeaway should be that any type of injury involving the head or brain should be treated with the utmost seriousness. There is no such thing as being too cautious with these types of injuries.

At the Springfield Wellness Center, it is common for our chiropractors to see patients who currently have a concussion. Remember, the spine must be in good alignment for the nervous system to heal and function optimally. If there are barriers to normal function, such as subluxation in the spine, the brain, spinal cord, the entire nervous system simply is not able to heal in the same way. Understanding that our bodies heal from the inside out, and not the other way around, is essential to overcoming the obstacles that concussions can cause.

How We Treat Concussions in Oklahoma City, Ok and Surrounding Areas

Thorough Consultation and Examination

Before you start care at Venturis Clinic, your initial visit will include a consultation and exam. During your consultation, Dr. Alvin Philipose will have the pleasure to sit down with you and converse about what your problem is and why you have decided to make the right decision and schedule your appointment. This consultation is extremely important because it allows the doctor to get to know you better and understand how this problem is impacting your life. With injuries such as concussions, Dr. Alvin Philipose will also be screening to determine if Venturis Clinic is even the right place for your condition at this time. Sometimes people have more urgent needs that can’t be fulfilled within a chiropractic office. Either way, Dr. Alvin Philipose will either confirm you are in the right place or make sure you get to the right place.

During the examination, the chiropractor will go through a range of tests with you to determine what the source of your problem is. Because concussions can cause many different ancillary conditions such as neck pain, understanding what the source of that neck pain may be is critical in addressing that component of the concussion syndrome at hand. With so many tools at our disposal, the Springfield Wellness Center is able to customize your care to meet your unique needs. This will ensure that you meet your goals for care and get back to living the life you want to live.

Comprehensive Chiropractic Care in Oklahoma City, OK and Surrounding Areas

Chiropractic treatment is one of the centerpieces of the care that we provide at Venturis Clinic. When bones in your spine become misaligned, they create compromising stress on your spinal cord and nerves. These misalignments disrupt the communication between the brain and body, and the body and brain. This communication is vital and important for the body to function optimally and could heal itself. A concussion will cause subluxations as well as direct injury to nervous system tissue, the brain. An optimally functioning nervous system is essential to properly heal from these condition types of traumatic injuries.

Also, the type of incidents or injuries that may cause concussions can cause conditions such as neck pain and headaches and or migraines. Incidents such as sports injuries and car accidents cause whiplash which may cause pain in these delicate areas. Chiropractic is highly effective for treating these conditions and helping to restore you back to normal function. This can also be part of the healing process towards a full recovery from a concussion. Chiropractic care is natural and safe and does not require any medications, injections, or surgery. At a minimum, conservative treatments like chiropractic care should be considered out first before proceeding to more invasive methods. If chiropractic care does not give you relief, we also offer Prolotherapy.

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Cervical Spine Decompression

In many traumas that cause concussions, such as sports injuries or falls, spinal compression can occur as well. Compression to the spine restricts normal range of motion due to joint irritation and inflammation, as well as nerve irritation which puts the entire nervous system under endangering stress. One of the treatments that we utilize at the Springfield Wellness Center to address this problem is cervical spine (neck) decompression. Neck decompression is often described by patients as a “weight lifted off their shoulders” which brings pain relief and reduces tension and irritation. As the neck is slowly stretched, it removes pressure from the spine, nerves, and joints, allowing them the space they need to heal and function optimally. When combined with chiropractic care, decompression is a fantastic way to accelerate the healing process from a concussion and its associated conditions.

Fascial Release by Dry Needling

Myofascial pain affects about 85% of people at a point within their life. Myofascial pain syndrome can set in that can lead to a great deal of ongoing musculoskeletal discomfort. Whether your myofascial pain is short- or long- term, a technique called dry needling that may help you find relief.
As a Chiropractic and Prolotherapy Specialists, Dr. Alvin Philipose here at Venturis Clinic offers a wide range of solutions for treating and relieving pain. We want you to experience dry needling and what it can do for you if you’re suffering from myofascial pain. Dry needling will assist loosening up
any tight muscles to allow the spine to be able to move properly. This technique will be a great addition to your chiropractic care journey! Dry needling can also help with a pulled muscle to which could possibly be the root cause of your problem.

Customized Stretching in Oklahoma City, OK and Surrounding Areas

One of the most common treatments Dr. Alvin Philipose will utilize to improve concussion patient outcomes in our office is customized stretching. Time and time again research shows how beneficial stretching is for the human brain, and recovering from a TBI like a concussion is no different. Stretching can increases blood flow to the brain which helps to facilitate healing and regeneration. It also helps to alleviate many aches and pains such as neck pain, upper back pain, and shoulder pain. At Venturis Clinic, Dr. Alvin Philipose will work with you individually to understand your needs and help guide you on the path towards what you wish to achieve. Your customized stretching care plan will include office visits as well as home care, so you are constantly in a position to improve.

Common Causes of Concussion in Oklahoma City, OK

Car Accidents

Car accidents are one of the most common causes of concussions considering accidents that occur at low speeds can cause a concussion. In fact, speeds of only 5-10 miles per hour can still generate significant G-forces that will be strong enough to damage soft tissues of the neck. Vehicles are designed to absorb the energy from the collision. Your car may not appear to have any damage, yet the people inside are still susceptible to the forces involved, and may cause a concussion. In some cases, due to the shock and adrenaline in the immediate aftermath, concussion symptoms may be post-poned in their presentation. Even if you feel no injury or pain after an accident, it is highly recommended to be checked out by a healthcare professional. And if you begin to experience symptoms that may be considered a concussion, you should definitely be evaluated further for your safety and well-being.

Sports Injury

When people think of sports injuries and concussions, what comes to mind usually is from contact-heavy sports like football and hockey. However, concussions may appear in any sport, and at any age or skill level. Even striking a soccer ball with your head has been known to cause a concussion. Therefore it is so important to address head injuries in sports in the appropriate way. Athletes are competitive and want to continue to compete yet should still follow up with a healthcare professional. But when their future health is at stake, it is simply not a risk worth taking. When you get a concussion, if you get another concussion shortly after, it can have serious health ramifications. It is always best to play it safe and allow yourself to heal fully before getting back on the playing field. It is simply not worth taking the risk.

Slips and Falls

Let’s face it: humans can be clumsy. Sometimes we are not paying attention, and sometimes we just have a knack for falling now and then. Unfortunately, these types of incidents often can lead to concussion, and not always from hitting your head on the ground. The sheer movement of falling and catching yourself is enough for the brain to move quickly within the skull and possibly sustain damage. Whether it is icy or wet out or falling over a toy, slips and falls are very common and can be extremely dangerous. If your not feeling well right after experiencing one, even if you feel silly for doing so, it is absolutely recommended that you get checked out just to be on the safe side. If a potential problem goes unaddressed, undiagnosed and or becomes chronic, it could lead to years or decades of unwelcome symptoms.

Call to Schedule a Complimentary Consultation

405.848.7246

Ask about Digital Motion X-Ray Imaging

Offering variety of pain management solutions

Frequently Asked Questions

What is prolotherapy good for?

Many conditions respond well to prolotherapy, such as facet syndrome (back and neck arthritis), whiplash, joint sprains, degenerative disc disease, osteoarthritis, tennis elbow, sprains, chronic tendonitis, Ehler’s-Danlos Disease, Bulging disc, knee pain, shoulder pain Vagus nerve inflammation and more.

What are the risks of prolotherapy?

Theoretical risks of prolotherapy injections include soreness, infection or neurological (nerve) damage. Injections should be performed by trained physicians using universal precautions diagnostics examinations and tproper examinations. This results in very minimal side effects.

What is the average cost of prolotherapy?

Costs vary quite a bit from $150-$1500 dependent on type and contents of injections.

Is prolotherapy a permanent fix?

Prolotherapy is an all-natural, permanent treatment, as it relies on the body repairing itself to reduce pain. In contrast, pain relievers and anti-inflammatory medications only provide temporary relief. Booster shots as well has wellness therapies including stretching, massage, chiropractic, dry-needling and strengthening will help maintain progress.

Who is a good candidate for prolotherapy?

More specifically, prolotherapy may be right for you if you experience any of the following: Damaged or lost tissue, especially surrounding the joints. If patients have tried various traditional treatments including prescription drugs, physical therapy, or steroids but seen minimal to no results, prolotherapy may be right for you.

Why does prolotherapy hurt so much?

A patient is generally sore for a couple of days after Prolotherapy. This is because the injections have to go through some muscles to get to the ligaments and tendons. To help the muscle soreness resolve itself sooner, dry needling and moist heat applied to the area is recommended.

Is prolotherapy better than cortisone?

Cortisone can cause tendon rupture, particularly of the achilles tendon. Prolotherapy is a proven orthopedic treatment to reduce pain and strengthen weakened joints without the negative side effects of cortisone.

What are the pros and cons of prolotherapy?

Prolotherapy is great for strengthening weak joints and creating heightened muscle functionality, such as increased movement and flexibility. However, there are some risks involved, for example it is a shot like any other so there could be pain or tenderness to the injection site.

What should you not do after prolotherapy?

Due to the numbness we ask that you refrain from any strenuous activities but to stay mobile. Continue to move affected area to decrease soreness and stiffness. You should avoid strenuous physical activity for 2 days following injections. You will experience some pain and soreness 2-5 days after your treatment. Do not take any anti-inflammatories, pain medications or steroids during treatments. This may inhibit your body’s ability to heal the affected tissue.

How long does prolotherapy take to heal?

Most ligaments and tendons heal within a period of 3 months; however, the majority of healing after a prolotherapy session occurs in the first two weeks.

How many prolotherapy sessions will I need?

Prolotherapy treatments vary from person to person and from injury to injury. Many patients have experienced some relief of their pain with only one session. The average person requires anywhere from 3-12 treatment sessions spaced about 3-6 weeks apart from each other.

How long does a prolotherapy injection last?

On average, patients experience one year of improvement and relief from prolotherapy. However, there is a huge variation and sometimes improvement lasts from three months to 15 years.

What is injected during prolotherapy?

Prolotherapy involves injections of a mild irritant into the injured part of your body. Most of the time the injection contains saline, dextrose (a type of sugar), and lidocaine, which is a numbing agent. Dr. Philipose custom tailors the injection, so the exact composition depends on your needs. These injections may include natural collagen, minerals, amino acids and other natural substances to accelerate healing compared to traditional prolotherapy.

Is prolotherapy better than surgery?

Prolotherapy is considered a viable alternative to surgery, and as an option to pain medications, cortisone and other steroidal injections. The Prolotherapy procedure is considered a safe, affordable option that allows the patient to keep working and/or training during treatment.

Can prolotherapy reverse arthritis?

One study with 90 adults with knee osteoarthritis involved some participants getting monthly prolotherapy injections of dextrose for 3 to 5 months. Those who received prolotherapy saw a significant improvement in pain, function, and stiffness scores.

Does prolotherapy regrow cartilage?

Prolotherapy is an injection of a non-biologic substance with localized effects for repairing connective tissue injuries of the musculoskeletal system. Recent studies in humans show that prolotherapy stimulates cartilage regeneration.

Are you sedated for prolotherapy?

Prolotherapy is a safe, cost effective injection technique used for treating musculoskeletal injuries and chronic pain in various parts of the body. It is noninvasive, has limited side effects and does not require sedation.

What does dry needling actually do?

Dry needling treats muscle tissue, and its goal is to reduce pain, inactivate trigger points and restore function. It rarely is a standalone procedure. Rather, it often is part of a broader physical therapy approach incorporating other traditional physical therapy interventions into treatment.

What is dry needling and does it hurt?

We use very thin filament needles. The initial feeling of the needle entering through the skin is very minimal; much less than a vaccination or having blood drawn. Once the needle reaches the muscle, the twitch sensation feels more like a deep cramp and doesn't last long (15-30 seconds).

How long does dry needling results last?

After dry needling, experiencing some slight soreness is normal, and you will typically note an improvement in your symptoms within one to two days. How long the benefits will last will vary per individual. The first few treatments will usually have a short length of relief spanning over several days.

How many sessions of dry needling do you need?

If treatment zones are found and the correct muscle groups are targeted, sub-acute conditions will improve after three – four consecutive sessions, with chronic injuries requiring five – six consecutive needling sessions.

Does dry needling remove knots?

Dry needle therapy resolves muscle knots by inserting a very thin needle directly into the trigger point. The knot responds to the interruption and relaxes immediately. Most patients agree that dry needling doesn't hurt in the way that you might think!

How deep do dry needles go?

Superficial dry needling involves inserting a needle at a depth up to 10 mm or into the subcutaneous tissue and may be combined with manipulation of the needle while in situ.

Does dry needling reduce inflammation?

The micro tears caused by the needle prompts the body's natural defenses to get to work, bringing nutrient-rich blood to the site and boosting tissue repair. Dry needling also helps to dissipate inflammatory mediators, those substances that gather in an area of inflammation.

Is dry needling good for arthritis?

Dry needling is an effective treatment in reducing pain from osteoarthritis because it increases blood circulation around the joint, thereby providing natural relief.

What exactly does a chiropractor do?

A chiropractor is trained to make sure your body is functioning as optimally as possible by using spinal manipulations and other therapies to relieve pain in your joints and muscles. These spinal adjustments will increase blood flow and nerve conductivity to the joints and muscles that are experiencing pain. They are taught philosophically to find and treat the cause rather than just the symptoms.

Is it healthy to go to the chiropractor?

Spinal manipulation and chiropractic care are generally considered safe, effective treatments for acute low back pain, the type of sudden injury that results from acute or chronic conditions such as strains, arthritis or disc injuries.

What are the benefits of chiropractic care?

• Improves neck pain.
• Reduces reliance on opioid pain relievers.
• Eases back pain.
• Possible reduction of osteoarthritis symptoms.
• Eases headache symptoms.
• More affordable treatment for chronic back pain.
• High satisfaction.
• Reduces scoliosis symptoms.

What are the cons of seeing a chiropractor?

Spinal and joint manipulation has a chance to go wrong and may cause unwanted injuries. So it is important that you only have an appointment with an experienced chiropractor that performs the necessary examinations and diagnostics to ensure safe treatments. DO NOT ALLOW a physical therapist or any other untrained person try a manipulation especially without X-rays.

When should you go to a chiropractor?

Chiropractors are most sought after to treat neck and low back pain due to acute or chronic pain. If you experience back pain that lasts for more than a few days, consult a chiropractor for an assessment.

What cracks when you see a chiropractor?

During a back adjustment, your back undergoes quick, gentle stretching of the spinal facet joint, so you may hear a cracking or popping noise. This is caused by small pockets of air or bubbles, which are in the fluid that surrounds your joints.

Why do chiropractors want you to keep coming back?

Changing your posture, changing your spine's ability to move, changing your muscle health and structure take time. Months in fact. All muscles have memory and your body wants to go back to its old patterns instead of creating new healthy ones. That is why adjustments need to be repeated again and again

Is chiropractic care is ineffective?

Critics are skeptical mainly due to the fact that chiropractic care does not involve medications or any invasive surgeries. Some have associated this practice with some side effects and fatal complications in some cases resulting in death or stroke. It also goes against the medical philosophy of not prescribing medications. In recent years there has been a comparison that shows not only Chiropractic to be safe, but healthier and more successful than taking steroids and medications. There are also various techniques now that prevent any type of injuries due the gentleness of the adjustment.

Why do some chiropractors crack and others don't?

The noises you hear during chiropractic treatment depend on the technique used. For example, some techniques cause a cracking sound, and others don't, but both can be highly effective, depending on your needs. So, whether you hear an abundance of pops or none at all, you don't need to worry.