Concussion Testing and Treatment
Concussion Treatment Begins with Proper Testing
At IMH we use conventional testing, extended neurological exam, and quantitative electroencephalograms,(qEEG) to diagnose concussion and its severity. Using qEEG brain mapping, we can pinpoint the specific regions of the brain affected by the head injury. Our medication free concussion treatments are guided by the most recent scientific understandings. Our Integration of mind and body therapies means a new hope for our patients.
Concussion Facts
Head injuries are common. About 20 percent of the individuals experience one or more in their lifetime. A loss of consciousness after a blow to the head usually means a concussion. But not all head injury comes with a loss of consciousness.
But the brain has an immense ability for self-healing and over 80 percent of traumatic brain injuries (TBI), and concussions heal spontaneously without medical intervention in as little as a week or two.
But all too often, the sudden impact a can rattle the brain, leading to long-term problems affecting the motor system, cognitive skills, Focus and emotional control. The condition is called Post-Concussion Syndrome.
Concussion Symptoms
- A headache or a feeling of pressure in the head.
- Temporary loss of consciousness.
- Confusion or feeling as if in a fog.
- Amnesia surrounding the traumatic event.
- Dizziness or “seeing stars”
- Ringing in the ears.
- Nausea.
- Vomiting.
Concussion Testing
The symptoms of concussion can be due to inflammation in the brain, leading to reduced blood and oxygen delivery. Or they can be due to muscle guarding that comes along with all injuries. therefore concussion testing needs to include both physical and neurological exams as well as a direct look at the brain. Sometimes even the gastrointestinal tract becomes affected after a concussion.
The symptoms of brain inflammation can be there, however without any other sign on MRI or other conventional imaging techniques. Thanks to a new technology, now offered in our North Vancouver Concussion Clinic, our patients have a new hope. The technology is called Quantitative Electroencephalography (QEEG). It can be used not only to diagnose the concussion but also to guide the proper treatment measure.
Concussion Treatment
QEEG is the analysis of the spontaneous electrical activity of the brain or brain waves, recorded from multiple electrode sites on the surface of the scalp over a period. The process is also called brain-mapping. QEEG uses modern analytical software to compare the recordings with the reference values from healthy individuals with no history of concussion or known symptoms.
The analysis gives us the ability to view the dynamic changes throughout the brain. Combined with a powerful program called LORETA neurofeedback training, the QEEG can then be used to augment the brain activity to achieve remarkable improvements in symptoms.
Along with diet to correct the gastrointestinal after effects of concussion, the use of supplements to facilitate healing of the brain, we use Bowen therapy and Acupuncture to improve the physical guarding and address all the functional changes after concussion.
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