A concussion can affect much more than the brain. Following a sports injury, fall, motor vehicle collision, or other impact, people may experience headaches, dizziness, neck pain, nausea, balance problems, fatigue, difficulty concentrating, and sensitivity to light or sound.
Because concussion symptoms can involve multiple systems, recovery is often best approached with individualized, multidisciplinary care.
For some people, the neck and upper cervical spine may contribute to ongoing symptoms following a concussion. This is where chiropractic care, including specific upper cervical care such as NUCCA, may have a role as part of a comprehensive recovery plan.
If you're looking for a chiropractor to help manage concussion symptoms, understanding the relationship between concussion, the cervical spine, and NUCCA can help you make informed decisions about your care.
What Is a Concussion?
A concussion is a type of mild traumatic brain injury that occurs when a force causes the brain to move or function differently within the skull.
A concussion can occur from:
Sports and recreational injuries
Falls
Motor vehicle collisions
Workplace injuries
A blow to the head
A forceful movement of the head or neck
Common concussion symptoms include:
Headaches
Dizziness
Neck pain or stiffness
Balance problems
Nausea
Fatigue
Difficulty concentrating
Brain fog
Sensitivity to light or noise
Vision disturbances
Sleep changes
Mood changes
Not everyone experiences the same symptoms, and symptoms can change throughout the recovery process.
The Connection Between Concussions and the Neck
When an injury causes a concussion, the same force can also affect the cervical spine and surrounding muscles and joints.
The head and neck can experience rapid acceleration and deceleration during an impact. This may result in changes in cervical movement, muscle tension, joint function, and overall neck mechanics.
For some individuals, these cervical changes may contribute to symptoms such as:
Neck pain
Headaches
Reduced neck mobility
Muscle tension
Dizziness
Balance difficulties
This is one reason that assessing the neck can be an important component of concussion care.
It is also important to recognize that not all concussion symptoms originate from the neck. Headaches, dizziness, visual symptoms, fatigue, and cognitive symptoms can have multiple contributing factors.
A thorough assessment is therefore essential.
Can Chiropractic Care Help After a Concussion?
Chiropractic care does not treat the brain injury itself. However, when a person has musculoskeletal symptoms following a concussion, chiropractic care may be one component of an individualized rehabilitation plan.
Current concussion guidelines support targeted rehabilitation based on a person's symptoms and clinical findings. For individuals with persistent neck pain, headaches, dizziness, or balance problems, cervicovestibular rehabilitation may be appropriate.
A chiropractor with appropriate training may assess and address musculoskeletal factors involving the cervical spine while coordinating care with other healthcare professionals when needed.
This can be particularly relevant for people who continue to experience neck pain or headaches after a concussion.
What Is NUCCA Chiropractic Care?
NUCCA, or the National Upper Cervical Chiropractic Association technique, is an approach to chiropractic care that focuses on the upper cervical region of the spine.
The upper cervical spine includes the first two vertebrae in the neck, including the atlas (C1).
NUCCA uses a specific assessment process to evaluate structural relationships and determine whether an upper cervical correction may be appropriate.
Rather than using a generalized approach, NUCCA is designed around an individual's specific examination findings.
The technique emphasizes a precise, low-force approach to upper cervical care.
Why Consider NUCCA After a Concussion?
The upper cervical region plays an important role in the relationship between the head and neck.
Following an injury, changes involving the cervical spine, muscles, joints, and movement patterns may contribute to symptoms in some individuals.
For someone experiencing persistent headaches, neck discomfort, or other cervical-related symptoms following a concussion, an upper cervical assessment may therefore be appropriate.
NUCCA care may be considered when examination findings indicate that addressing the upper cervical region could be beneficial.
However, NUCCA should not be presented as a treatment for the underlying brain injury. Instead, the focus is on identifying and addressing relevant musculoskeletal and structural factors that may be contributing to a person's symptoms.
NUCCA and Post-Concussion Headaches
Headaches are one of the most common symptoms reported following concussion.
However, post-concussion headaches can have different causes and presentations. They may involve factors such as migraine mechanisms, cervical dysfunction, vestibular problems, visual issues, sleep disruption, or a combination of factors.
This is why an individualized assessment is important.
If a person's assessment indicates a cervical contribution to their headaches, addressing the neck may be one part of their rehabilitation plan.
For patients experiencing persistent headaches and neck pain following concussion, a combination of cervical and vestibular rehabilitation may be recommended depending on the individual's presentation.
What Does a NUCCA Assessment Involve?
If you are considering NUCCA chiropractic care following a concussion, your assessment may involve several components.
1. Reviewing Your Injury
Your chiropractor will want to understand how the injury occurred, when your symptoms began, and how your symptoms have changed.
2. Reviewing Your Symptoms
Understanding the pattern of your headaches, neck pain, dizziness, balance concerns, and other symptoms can help determine whether further assessment or referral is appropriate.
3. Assessing the Cervical Spine
The neck may be evaluated for movement, muscular tension, tenderness, and other relevant clinical findings.
4. Performing an Upper Cervical Assessment
For appropriate patients, a NUCCA assessment, including imaging, can evaluate the upper cervical region and determine whether an upper cervical correction is indicated.
5. Developing an Individualized Care Plan
Your care plan may include chiropractic care, exercise and rehabilitation, education, activity recommendations, and coordination with other healthcare professionals.
A Multidisciplinary Approach to Concussion Recovery
Concussion recovery is not one-size-fits-all.
Depending on a person's symptoms, rehabilitation may involve several healthcare professionals, including:
Medical doctors
Chiropractors
Physiotherapists
Vestibular therapists
Athletic therapists
Other rehabilitation professionals
A multidisciplinary approach allows different aspects of recovery to be addressed rather than focusing on a single symptom or body region.
At Full Circle in Calgary, Dr. Amanda Choong practices within a collaborative multidisciplinary healthcare environment. Her approach to upper cervical chiropractic care using NUCCA can complement other forms of rehabilitation when appropriate.
When Should You See a Chiropractor After a Concussion?
If you have already been assessed for a concussion and continue to experience symptoms such as neck pain, headaches, or other musculoskeletal concerns, chiropractic assessment may be worth considering as part of your recovery plan.
A chiropractor can help determine whether there are cervical or musculoskeletal factors that may be contributing to your symptoms.
However, chiropractic care should not replace appropriate medical assessment following a head injury.
Seek urgent medical attention for concerning symptoms such as worsening headache, repeated vomiting, seizures, weakness or numbness, increasing confusion, slurred speech, unusual behaviour, or difficulty waking.
Looking for a Concussion Chiropractor in Calgary?
If you're searching for NUCCA chiropractic care in Calgary following a concussion, Dr. Amanda Choong provides individualized upper cervical chiropractic care with an emphasis on structural balance and the relationship between the upper cervical spine and overall function.
As co-owner of Full Circle, Dr. Choong works within a collaborative, multidisciplinary healthcare environment where chiropractic care can be integrated with other appropriate rehabilitation services.
Experiencing headaches, neck pain, or other symptoms following a concussion?
Contact Full Circle to learn whether an assessment with Dr. Amanda Choong and NUCCA upper cervical chiropractic care may be appropriate for you.
