The Body Series - Head - Concussion

What is a concussion, and how do they happen?

Concussions are the most common but also least serious type of TBI (Traumatic brain injury).  The word concussion comes from the Latin word concutere, which means "to shake violently."   Concussions are caused by various activities, such as falls, fights, sports activities, work-related injuries, car and bicycle accidents.  Concussions happen when there is a sudden blunt force to the head.

Common symptoms include, but are not limited to: 

  • confusion or feeling dazed

  • clumsiness

  • slurred speech

  • Nausea or vomiting

  • Headache

  • balance problems or dizziness

  • blurred vision

  • sensitivity to light

  • sensitivity to noise

  • sluggishness

  • ringing in the ears

  • behavior or personality changes

  • concentration difficulties

  • memory loss

Is there any massage modality that could help improve someone with a concussion?

The simple answer is yes.  However, there are quite a few things that could help somebody with a concussion.  First, to note, we do not want to work on a person with a concussion until at least 72 hours after their initial accident. This is important for any injury, but especially with someone with a TBI - we need to make sure nothing else is going on so their first step should be to seek medical attention. Another thing to consider is when working with somebody with a concussion, you want might want to start with their feet and work your way up back to their head. Most times we think let’s start with where the problem originates, the head or neck.  While that thinking is good, sometimes approaching from further away can help “release” other areas before we get to them. I had a client a few weeks ago who had a concussion but based on what was going on, I did start on her neck and shoulders. The most important part is that you want to go slow and gentle. You do not want to have jerky movements or be too fast with moving the head and neck.

As far as modalities go, one modality that could be beneficial is Manual Lymphatic Drainage (MLD). The brain and the lymphatic system are directly connected to one another. In 2015, Drs. Antoine Louveau and Jonathan Kipnis (University of Virginia School of Medicine) used high-powered microscopes to examine the brains of mice. They noticed vessels that were similar to they lymph system, so they injected the mice with a dye to confirm these suspicions. They found lymph nodes in the brain, in a rather “hidden” area, which is why it was only then discovered. (Findings appeared online on June 1, 2015, in Nature.) This modality helps to alleviate pressure in the brain and sinus areas, to help the brain heal. Researchers have found a build-up of proteins and other metabolic waste, and that limits circulation. When the circulation is limited, it ultimately affects how we think and feel - the above-listed symptoms.

Another modality that might be beneficial is CranioSacral Therapy. Since this modality is very gentle and doesn’t use force or jolting movements, this is great for those with concussions. Head injuries and concussions can affect the flow and stable pressure of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), blood flow, and numerous other physiologic functions. These gentle manipulations of CST can restore skull anatomy mobility and promote an improved flow of CSF.

How often should someone with a concussion see a massage therapist?

Any person whose massage is not contraindicated should have regular massage. I always recommend not longer than a month if you have the finances/schedule to do so. It also varies on the person and how their body responds to bodywork. Some people’s bodies have a quicker healing rate than maybe others. If someone has a concussion, they might need more frequent massages in the beginning and then taper off. This is something you would need to discuss with your therapist and find the best plan of action for you. Working together you can find what’s the most comfortable and optimal for YOUR recovery.

When should someone with a concussion start to feel better?

As previously stated, this is not a hard and fast calculation. Every person is different and everybody heals in their own time. Some might feel better in a few weeks, others a few months, and still some might not feel better until a year or more has passed. Don’t become frustrated with the rate at which you heal, although it is very easy to do so. The body is resilient and very outstanding in its ability to heal itself with very little suggestion from other outside influences. Be kind to your body and just help assist it in healing. Rome wasn’t built in a day and trauma can make your body feel like a stranger to you. Try to be patient, and with time and a good Therapist you can heal

https://www.nih.gov/news-events/nih-research-matters/lymphatic-vessels-discovered-central-nervous-system
https://www.livescience.com/26983-lymphatic-system.html
https://ossipinskyhealthacademy.com/lymphatic-drainage-helps-problems-associated-concussions-mild-traumatic-brain-injury-mtbi/
https://www.concussionalliance.org/craniosacral-therapy

Body SeriesBrianna Cherrymassage, musculoskeletal manipulations, postconcussion symptoms, brain injuries, massage therapy, rainyday massage, briis rainyday massage, MLD, manual lymphatic drainage, lymph, drain, dizzy, concussion, head, body, body series, tbiComment