A concussion can happen during a sports collision, automobile accident, slip and fall, or any sudden impact that causes the brain to move rapidly inside the skull.
But here’s something many people don’t realize: the same forces that cause a concussion can also injure the neck.
At Achieve Health Chiropractic & Acupuncture in Champlin, Minnesota, we understand that lingering headaches, dizziness, and neck stiffness after a concussion may have more than one contributing cause.
Understanding the Connection Between Concussions and Neck Injuries
A concussion is a mild traumatic brain injury that temporarily disrupts normal brain function. You don’t have to lose consciousness to experience one.
During an accident or sports injury, the head and neck may undergo sudden acceleration, deceleration, or rotation. These forces can affect both the brain and cervical spine.
Concussion and cervical injuries may share symptoms, including:
* Headaches and pressure in the head
* Neck pain and stiffness
* Dizziness or balance problems
* Difficulty concentrating
* Fatigue
* Sensitivity to light and noise
* Sleep disturbances
Because these symptoms overlap, identifying whether the neck contributes to ongoing discomfort can be an important part of recovery.
How Chiropractic Care May Help After a Concussion
Chiropractic care does not cure a concussion or directly heal an injured brain. However, it may help address associated musculoskeletal problems, particularly involving the cervical spine.
Following an appropriate evaluation, treatment may include:
Gentle Chiropractic and Manual Therapy
Carefully selected manual techniques may help manage neck pain, stiffness, and restricted movement associated with cervical injuries.
Treatment must be individualized, and recent trauma may require medical assessment or imaging before certain techniques are considered.
Therapeutic Exercises and Rehabilitation
Targeted exercises can help improve neck mobility, muscular control, posture, and tolerance for daily activities.
Soft Tissue Therapy
Gentle treatment of tight or irritated muscles in the neck and shoulders may help reduce discomfort and improve mobility.
Acupuncture for Associated Symptoms
Acupuncture may provide additional support for certain types of neck pain and headaches. However, research specifically demonstrating benefits for concussion recovery remains limited.
Why Do Headaches Sometimes Persist After a Concussion?
Headaches are among the most common symptoms following a concussion.
While some headaches are directly related to the brain injury, others may be influenced by cervical spine dysfunction.
These are known as cervicogenic headaches and may arise from irritated joints, muscles, or other structures in the neck.
If the cervical spine contributes to a patient’s symptoms, appropriately selected rehabilitation and conservative care may help improve comfort and function.
Persistent headaches should also be evaluated for other possible causes.
Sports Concussions: Protecting Young Athletes
Concussions are particularly important in sports such as hockey, football, soccer, basketball, and skiing.
Athletes with a suspected concussion should be removed from play immediately and should not return that same day.
Return to sports should follow a medically supervised, stepwise progression with appropriate clearance.
When associated cervical injuries are present, addressing neck mobility, muscular function, and pain may be one part of a coordinated recovery program.
Concussion Recovery: More Than Just Rest
Modern concussion management has evolved.
Rather than recommending prolonged complete rest, current guidance generally supports relative rest during the first 24–48 hours, followed by a gradual return to appropriate physical and cognitive activity.
Some individuals may also benefit from:
* Cervical spine rehabilitation
* Supervised light aerobic exercise
* Vestibular rehabilitation for dizziness
* Balance and visual rehabilitation
* Medical evaluation for persistent symptoms
Recovery is individualized, and patients with prolonged symptoms may benefit from a multidisciplinary approach.
When Should You Seek Medical Attention?
Anyone with a suspected concussion should receive an appropriate medical assessment.
Seek emergency medical attention for worsening or severe headaches, repeated vomiting, seizures, increasing confusion, weakness, or difficulty waking.
Neck pain following significant trauma may also require medical evaluation before manual treatment.
Chiropractic Care for Concussion-Related Neck Pain in Champlin, MN
At Achieve Health Chiropractic & Acupuncture, we recognize that a concussion and cervical spine injury can occur together.
Our focus is on identifying and managing associated musculoskeletal problems, including neck stiffness, restricted movement, and certain types of headaches.
Through individualized chiropractic care, therapeutic exercises, soft tissue techniques, and acupuncture when appropriate, we aim to help patients restore mobility and improve daily function.
Experiencing lingering neck pain or headaches after a concussion?
Contact Achieve Health Chiropractic & Acupuncture in Champlin, Minnesota, to schedule an evaluation and learn whether conservative care may be appropriate for you.
Call: 763-323-3456
