Concussions: Symptoms, Recovery, and Chiropractic Care

Concussions are a type of traumatic brain injury that can affect your cognitive, physical, and emotional well-being. Often caused by impacts to the head or sudden jolts to the neck, concussions can lead to symptoms like headaches, dizziness, and difficulty concentrating. At Peak Chiropractic, we specialize in providing gentle, non-invasive care to support recovery from concussions. By addressing spinal alignment and nervous system health, we aim to reduce symptoms, promote healing, and improve your quality of life.

Free Discovery Call

Provide your info below and our team will reach out to schedule your free discovery call.

Thank you! Your message has been received!
Oops! Something went wrong. Please try again. If you continue to have issues submitting the form, please give call our office directly.
Concussions

What is a Concussion?

A concussion is a mild traumatic brain injury (TBI) caused by a blow to the head, a violent jolt, or an impact that forces the brain to move rapidly within the skull. This sudden movement can damage brain cells and create chemical changes in the brain, leading to a variety of physical, cognitive, and emotional symptoms. While concussions are often considered "mild," they can have serious effects on your daily life and long-term health if not properly managed.

How Concussions Occur

Concussions can result from a variety of situations, including:

  • Sports Injuries: High-impact sports like football, soccer, or hockey often involve collisions that can cause head trauma.
  • Falls: Slipping or falling can result in head injuries, especially if the head strikes a hard surface.
  • Car Accidents: Sudden impacts or whiplash injuries often cause the brain to shift within the skull, leading to a concussion.
  • Workplace Accidents: Jobs that involve physical labor or the risk of falls can increase the likelihood of head injuries.

Concussions don’t always require direct contact with the head; sudden forces that cause rapid neck movement, like whiplash, can also lead to brain injury.

The Long-Term Impact of Concussions

If left untreated, concussions can result in prolonged symptoms and complications. Repeated concussions, even if mild, can contribute to conditions like chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE), cognitive decline, and emotional disorders. Prompt and effective care is essential to minimize the long-term effects and support your recovery.

How Chiropractic Care Supports Concussion Recovery

Chiropractic care focuses on the relationship between the spine, nervous system, and brain. After a concussion, spinal misalignments, especially in the cervical spine, can interfere with the body’s ability to heal and exacerbate symptoms. By addressing these misalignments and improving nervous system function, chiropractic care can play a vital role in your recovery.

Illustration of the brain and cervical spine showing the effects of a concussion.
A chiropractor performing a cervical spine adjustment to support concussion recovery.

Symptoms of a Concussion

Concussion symptoms can vary widely depending on the severity of the injury and the individual’s health. Symptoms may appear immediately after the injury or develop gradually over hours or days. Common signs and symptoms that can arise years after a concussion can include:

  • Headaches: Persistent or throbbing pain in the head is one of the most common symptoms.
  • Dizziness and Balance Issues: Difficulty maintaining balance or feeling lightheaded, often due to disruption in the vestibular system.
  • Nausea and Vomiting: Some individuals experience stomach upset or vomiting shortly after the injury.
  • Cognitive Difficulties: Trouble focusing, memory problems, confusion, or a feeling of being "in a fog."
  • Sensitivity to Light and Noise: Increased sensitivity to bright lights or loud sounds can exacerbate discomfort.
  • Fatigue: Feeling unusually tired or having low energy levels.
  • Sleep Disturbances: Difficulty falling asleep, staying asleep, or changes in sleep patterns.
  • Irritability or Mood Swings: Emotional instability, including increased anxiety, depression, or frustration.
  • Blurred or Double Vision: Visual disturbances caused by the brain’s impaired ability to process signals from the eyes.
Reviews

Patient Ratings & Stories

Hear what our patients have to say about their experience at Peak Upper Cervical Center in their online reviews.

Rated

5.0

140+ Reviews

Rated

5.0

3 Reviews

Mar 12, 2024
Drs. Kyara and Jon are on a mission to bring upper cervical care to the people of the Treasure Valley
Drs. Kyara and Jon are on a mission to bring upper cervical care to the people of the Treasure Valley, and their success is evident at Peak Chiropractic. The moment you step in, you can feel their genuine care and compassion for their patients. If you’re looking for a place that can help you get to the root of the chronic issues you may have been told there’s no help for, I wholeheartedly recommend a visit to Peak Chiropractic.
Read Original Review

Alyssa M.

Treasure Valley

Jun 16, 2024
With a 3D imaging machine you visually can seen how out of align you are and then a plan of action to get you back to alignment
After dealing with migraines my whole life, then panic attacks and most recently vertigo, which is the absolute worst experience to go through. I was determined to find help and that is where I found Peak Chiropractic with Dr. John and Dr. Kyara. They are warm, welcoming and above all experts in the field of Upper Cervical Chiropractic Care. They walk you through the process step by step and with a 3D imaging machine you visually can seen how out of align you are and then a plan of action to get you back to alignment. The adjustments are gentle and precise. No cracking or extreme movement of the head, which I can't handle. The last time I saw a chiropractor the extreme movement of my head led me to vomit in the bathroom right after the appointment. Not the case at Peak Chiropractic! I am on a treatment plan that started in February and will go until July and that gives my neck time to adjust and heal and then hopefully maintenance after. I can't tell you how happy I am to finally feel better, sleep better. I don't have the wave of dizziness that I was having on the daily. I also suffer from panic attacks driving and that in itself is debilitating. Even though I came to Peak for migraine and vertigo issues, I had no idea how much it would help me in gaining back my confidence to drive. I no longer get in my car with the feeling of dread and panic. That in itself is life changing!! So thankful and grateful for the care I am receiving and the healing and recovery process. I highly recommend you take the time to get the help you need if suffering from migraines, vertigo or panic attacks. No reason to be miserable when you can get the help you need and through Amazing people like Dr. John and Dr. Kyara!
Read Original Review

Judy G.

Boise, ID

Mar 14, 2024
I haven’t had a single symptom since the adjustment!
I was working in Boise and seen an ad for Peak Chiropractic, I suffered with migraines, vertigo and severe nerve pain in my shoulders for 15+ years and thought it was something I was just going to live with. After an informative consultation then some 3-D imaging, a severe misalignment was found in my upper cervical area. Dr. Johnathon Finney made one adjustment before I had to go back home to Kentucky and it changed my life! I haven’t had a single symptom since the adjustment! AND he found a doctor near my home town that he went to school with and shared my files so I can have care when I am home and when I am in Boise for work! I cannot thank Dr. Johnathon enough for giving me my life back and think everyone needs to experience what Peak Chiropractic and their upper cervical care can do for them!
Read Original Review

Bradley H.

Boise, ID

Chiropractic Care for Concussions at Peak Chiropractic

At Peak Chiropractic, we take a holistic approach to concussion recovery, focusing on restoring spinal alignment, reducing nerve interference, and improving overall nervous system function. Our goal is to provide relief from symptoms while promoting your body’s natural ability to heal.

Our Approach to Concussion Care

  • Comprehensive Assessment: We begin with a detailed evaluation of your spine and nervous system to identify misalignments and assess the impact of the concussion.
  • Gentle Adjustments: Precise chiropractic adjustments help restore proper alignment in the cervical spine, reducing tension and improving communication between the brain and body.
  • Neurological Support: By enhancing nervous system function, we help the brain process and recover more effectively.
  • Postural Guidance: Concussions often disrupt posture, particularly in the neck. We provide recommendations for maintaining proper alignment during recovery.
  • Holistic Healing Plans: In addition to adjustments, we may suggest exercises, stretches, and lifestyle changes to support recovery and prevent future injuries.

Benefits of Chiropractic Care for Concussions

  • Relief from headaches, dizziness, and neck pain.
  • Improved balance, focus, and cognitive function.
  • Reduced tension in the cervical spine and surrounding tissues.
  • Decreased recovery time with a drug-free, non-invasive approach.
  • Better overall nervous system health and function.

At Peak Chiropractic, we understand the challenges of living with concussion symptoms and are committed to providing care that supports your recovery and helps you return to your active lifestyle.

Schedule an appointment with Peak Chiropractic and start your journey towards a pain-free life.

A patient experiencing improved focus and reduced headaches after chiropractic care for a concussion.
Peak Upper Cervical Center

Contact Us

Experience specific upper cervical chiropractic care at Peak Upper Cervical Center. Our Boise clinic is dedicated to providing top-quality and unique chiropractic care to help you achieve optimal health.

Phone

Office

Peak Upper Cervical Center

4483 N Dresden Pl #103
Garden City, ID 83714

Latest Articles

Discover the Power of Upper Cervical Chiropractic Care

Stay informed with our latest blog posts and health tips

Woman experiencing migraine symptoms with an illustration of an overactive nervous system and brain signaling.

Migraine Treatment in Boise: Calming the Nervous System With Upper Cervical Care

If you live with migraines, you already know they are nothing like an ordinary headache. The light that suddenly feels too bright, the nausea, the pressure that can steal an entire day — these aren't a matter of "just pushing through." At Peak Upper Cervical Center here in Boise, we look at migraines a little differently. Instead of only chasing the pain when it hits, we ask why your nervous system is tipping into a migraine in the first place.
Person seen from behind with slightly uneven shoulders, a possible postural sign of atlas (C1) misalignment

Signs Your Atlas (C1) May Be Misaligned

A plain-language checklist of the symptoms most often linked to atlas (C1) misalignment, why one small bone can cause such varied issues, and how a precise upper cervical evaluation in Boise can tell you for sure.
Person pressing the base of the skull and upper neck, illustrating a cervicogenic headache that starts in the neck

Cervicogenic Headache Treatment in Boise: Is It Your Neck or a Migraine?

A clear guide to telling cervicogenic headaches apart from migraines, what the latest professional guidelines say about neck-related headaches, and how gentle upper cervical care in Boise may help.
Person pressing a hand against the jaw in front of the ear, illustrating TMJ pain and its link to the upper neck

Jaw pain, clicking, or a locked jaw in Boise? Learn how gentle, no-twist upper cervical care may address the neck-related root of TMJ. Book your visit today.

A plain-language guide to why jaw pain, clicking, and lockjaw are so often tied to the upper neck, what gentle upper cervical care can and can't do, and how a team approach in Boise can get to the root of TMJ.