Even if you sustain only a mild concussion, you can develop ongoing pain and suffer long-term effects. Rebecca Baker, LAc, at Acupuncture Associates of Castle Rock specializes in traditional Chinese therapies such as acupuncture and nutritional care that help to relieve your pain and promote a faster recovery from a concussion. To learn more about the benefits of acupuncture, schedule an appointment online or call the office in Castle Rock, Colorado.
Concussion Q & A
What is a concussion?
A concussion is a mild traumatic brain injury caused by a blow to your head that’s strong enough to make your brain hit the skull. The trauma damages brain cells, resulting in physical and chemical changes that affect brain function to some degree.
Sustaining one concussion usually doesn’t result in long-term brain damage. However, suffering repeated concussions can lead to permanent brain damage and cause a degenerative condition called chronic traumatic encephalopathy.
What symptoms will I experience due to a concussion?
Most patients stay awake following a concussion, but it can make you briefly lose consciousness. The symptoms of a concussion may appear immediately, or they may take a few hours or days to develop.
The three primary symptoms are:
- Headache
- Memory loss
- Confusion
Many patients also experience symptoms such as:
- Nausea and vomiting
- Sleeping more or less than usual
- Sensitivity to light or sound
- Blurry vision
- Ringing in your ears
- Difficulty concentrating
The symptoms caused by a concussion typically go away in about two weeks. For 5-30% of patients, the pain and other symptoms continue beyond several weeks. If you develop ongoing symptoms, you have a condition called post-concussion syndrome.
How is a concussion treated?
Following a concussion, it’s important to give your brain time to heal. This means you should get plenty of rest, avoid environmental stimulation such as loud sounds, and minimize your physical activity. However, you can do more than that to promote healing in your brain.
At Acupuncture Associates of Castle Rock, you undergo a four-step process that includes:
- Assessing your nutritional and energy status
- Using acupuncture and other therapies to promote healing
- Developing a dietary and supplement plan to supply healing nutrients
- Ongoing reassessments and adaptations as your health improves
The entire process helps your brain heal faster, but acupuncture has an essential role. Studies show that acupuncture can promote healing by increasing levels of biochemicals that stimulate nerve repair. Acupuncture is also an effective therapy for relieving pain and other symptoms caused by a concussion.
To receive the comprehensive care you need to heal following a concussion, call Acupuncture Associates of Castle Rock or book an appointment online.
Rebecca Baker now accepts MedPay coverage for TBI and concussion patients who are victims of car accidents.
