Concussion DC Alaska

🧠 March is Brain Injury Awareness Month 🧠

Did you know Alaska has one of the highest rates of traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) in the nation? The leading causes are falls and motor vehicle collisions.

But Alaska faces unique challenges—vast distances make access to timely medical care a real hurdle. Unfortunately, delays in treatment can have a significant impact on recovery and long-term outcomes.

This month is dedicated to raising awareness, educating communities, and providing support for individuals affected by brain injuries. Let's come together to learn, support, and advocate for those who need it most.

🧠✨ The brain, just like any other muscle, needs rehabilitation. While muscle injury treatments include active care to restore strength and function, concussion care often lags behind. But here’s the game-changer: current research indicates that returning to normal activities sooner can help symptoms resolve faster.

As humans, we thrive on movement—it's essential for our well-being. Active care right after a concussion can be as simple as gently moving your neck through its full range of motion or taking a few walks around the house each day. 🏠🚶‍♂️

Let's remember, movement is health! 💪

The U.S. CDC. defines a concussion as, " A type of mild traumatic brain injury—or mTBI—caused by a bump, blow, or jolt to the head or by a hit to the body that causes the head and brain to move rapidly." These impacts more often than not don't cause the individual to lose consciousness. Symptoms following even minor impacts may be sufficient to diagnose a concussion. This is important when it comes to sports because if you suspect a concussion has occurred then the athlete should be pulled from the game or practice until a proper assessment occurs.

In a 2022 systematic review by Jildeh et al. they found an increased incidence of lower extremity injuries at 90 days and 1 year after having a concussion. If that wasn't enough in a different study done in 2020 by McPherson et al. they found a 1.6x increase in ACL injuries, up to 3 years following the diagnosis of a concussion.
When the brain isn't functioning at its best, other issues seem to follow. Having a thorough exam after a concussion that includes more than the head may help you avoid other serious injuries.

One of the most commonly missed parts of a concussion evaluation is the neck. The neck assists your eyes in responding to stimuli around you through a reflex called the cervico-ocular reflex. Neck movements can directly affect eye and gaze direction, particularly when the head is moving; essentially, your neck muscles send signals to your brain to adjust your eye movements to maintain a stable visual field even while your head is turning. Neck stretches, massage and exercises may be the difference between a quick recovery and persistent symptoms.
Make sure you get your neck evaluated after a concussion.

Concussion care is no longer as simple as waiting and doing nothing. Proper care requires a multi-system approach. Being proactive in care not only helps you feel better faster but also reduces the chances of prolonged issues lingering in the background. We are all unique, and our treatment plans must reflect that.

A poor diet often results in a leaky gut, permitting toxins to enter the bloodstream and trigger an inflammatory response. This state of inflammation places additional strain on the body, hindering the healing process after an injury. If you are at a high risk for a head injury or have already sustained one, a good starting point is to focus on eating healthier.

After a concussion what do you do? This is a very common question and usually results in an overwhelming amount of people going to the emergency room unnecessarily. The biggest thing is knowing red flags and then getting thoroughly evaluated within 5 days by a trained medical professional. is a great resource for finding qualified providers near you.

As we get into the soccer season here in Alaska we can't forget about the types of injuries that affect our athletes. Concussions are very common in the soccer, particularly in the female athletes. Getting a baseline test improve diagnosis and return-to-play due to results being specific to each athlete. Get tested and be sure you are doing all that is necessary to keep playing the sport you love.