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Tag: Neck pain

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By Physio Team Exercises, Injury, online consultations, Sporting, Therapy, Work Injury , , , , , ,

Concussion recovery

Managing Headaches After Concussion/Mild Traumatic Brain Injury | BrainLine

What is a concussion?

A concussion is a type of traumatic brain injury 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 back and forth. Rapid movement causes brain tissue to change shape, which can stretch and damage brain cells. This damage also causes chemical and metabolic changes within the brain cells, making it more difficult for cells to function and communicate (concussionfoundation, 2020).

Have you or someone you know had a fall or blow to the head ? If so it’s important to get medically assessed! It is strongly advised that you discontinue any sporting activities, school or work until a trained medical professional has seen you and given you the green light.

Symptoms

The most common signs and symptoms of concussion are:

  • Feeling stunned or dazed
  • Confusion, e.g. a delay in answering questions
  • Headache
  • Nausea
  • Ringing in the ears
  • Dizziness
  • Tiredness
  • Balance disturbance – Gait, unsteadiness.
  • Vision disturbances (double or blurred vision or ‘seeing stars’)
  • Memory loss (amnesia) that improves within a few hours.

Medical care should be sought if symptoms worsen or if there are more serious symptoms such as:

  • Loss of consciousness, however brief
  • Repeated vomiting
  • Slurred speech
  • Confusion or disorientation
  • Convulsions or seizures
  • Memory loss, e.g. being unable to remember what happened before or after the concussion
  • Changes in mood or behavior, e.g. unusual irritability
  • Drowsiness or difficulty staying awake
  • A headache that gets worse and does not go away
  • Weakness, numbness, or lack of physical co-ordination.

Recovery times:

Recovery from concussion can take up to 6 months. For the majority, symptoms will improve most rapidly within the first 1-3 months. If symptoms are still present after 6 months, these will most likely resolve after one year (SouthernCross, 2018).

Did you know?

Every year, there are 35,000 head injuries in New Zealand (Feigin et al., 2013). Although head concussion is normally associated with sporting injury, almost 80% occur outside of sporting activity (Theadon, 2014).

Brainstorm Conference 2019

Is Physiotherapy routine or advised post head concussion?

A study conducted by Van der walt, 2019 extracted clinical service data from a concussion service provider in Dunedin; this was to determine how often their subjects received or were recommended medical input, including physiotherapy. Results show that of the 147 subjects, 80 subjects (54%) received or were advised neck physiotherapy management and 106 cases (72%) received or were advised vestibulo-ocular physiotherapy management. In 59 cases (40%) both neck and vestibulo-ocular physiotherapy were received or recommended.

The findings suggest that recovery post concussion very often requires specific physiotherapy as part of multidisciplinary care. The evidence for the effectiveness of cervico-vestibular rehabilitation post-concussion is very favorable (Schneider et al., 2014).

Vestibular Physiotherapy | The Independent Physiotherapy Service

To help get you back on track, your physiotherapist will complete a detailed history of your current complaint/s and medical history. Treatment provided may involve:

  • Cervical spine assessment and treatment, including: mobilizations, soft tissue treatment
  • Balance assessment and treatment
  • Home exercise plan
  • Acupuncture

References

concussionfoundation(2020).WHAT IS A CONCUSSION?. Available at: https://concussionfoundation.org/concussion-resources/what-is-concussion. Last accessed 27/08/2020

Southerncross(2018). Concussion – causes, symptoms, treatment. Available: https://www.southerncross.co.nz/group/medical-library/concussion-causes-symptoms-treatment. Last accessed 27/08/2020.

Feigin V, Theadom A, Barker-Collo S et al. Incidence of traumatic brain injury in New Zealand: A population-based study. The Lancet Neurology. 2013;12(1):53-64.​

Theadom, A., Parag, V., Dowell, T., McPherson, K., Starkey, N., Barker-Collo, S., and BIONIC Research Group. (2016). Persistent problems 1 year after mild traumatic brain injury: a longitudinal population study in New Zealand. Br J Gen Pract, 66(642), e16-e23.

Van der Walta ,K, Tyson,A, Kennedy, E. (2019). How often is neck and vestibulo-ocular physiotherapy treatment recommended in people with persistent post-concussion symptoms? A retrospective analysis. Musculoskeletal Science and Practice . 39 (130-135), 1-5.

Sport-related concussion: optimizing treatment through evidence-informed practice.J. Orthop. Sports Phys. Ther. 2016; 46: 613-616

By Physio Team acute pain, Appointments & Fees, chronic pain, Exercises, good posture, Home exercises, Injury, Lockdown, muscles, neck pain, online consultations, pain, pain management, Physio, posture, rehabilitation, Studies, Therapy , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Do you experience Cervicogenic Headaches?

What on Earth is a cervicogenic headache??

Headaches happen for lots of reason and can be cause by several sources- both primary and secondary. Once major “red flags” are ruled out, understanding the type of headache is important in order to have it properly addressed.

A cervicogenic headache is a secondary headache arising from a musculoskeletal dysfunction within the cervical spine, and is a disorder that many physiotherapists treat. The main players that are typically involved in generating the pain are the joints, discs, ligaments, nerves and/or muscles found in the upper portion of the neck.

Characteristics of a Cervicogenic Headache:

:sparkles: Pain usually one sided or one side dominant

:sparkles: Pain originates from the back of the neck and radiates along the forehead, orbits around the eye, temple area and ear.

:sparkles: Steady ache or dull, diffuse pain that travels into shoulder region

:sparkles: Limited neck movement especially when turning head

:sparkles: Tenderness to touch at the muscles at the base of the head.

Here are some exercises that would help alleviate your pain:

  1. Cervical side flexion with chin tuck

  • Sit upright in a chair.
    With your shoulders relaxed, relax one arm to your side.
    Drop your opposite ear to your shoulder until a stretch is felt.
    Using your fingers, tuck your chin in, as to resemble a double chin.
    Gently release pressure with your fingers and hold this position.
    Relax and repeat

2. Levator stretch Neck stretch – levator scapula

  • Start in a seated position.
    Place the hand of the side you want to stretch down by your side.
    Tilt your head forwards and to the opposite side at an angle, as if you are trying to
    look at your armpit.
    Keeping your back straight and upright, continue to tilt your head down until you
    feel a stretch from the base of your skull down into your shoulder blade.

3. Neck stretching (Upper trapezius)

 

  • Stand up straight.
    Take the hand on the symptomatic side and place it behind your back.
    Take your other hand and place it on your head.
    Tilt your ear directly down towards your shoulder and hold this position.
    You should feel a stretch down the side of your neck.

If you believe you experience Cervicogenic Headaches get in touch with us https://physiofusion.co.nz/ for an in-depth assessment and lets knock out those headaches and decrease you dependence on pain meds