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The Hidden Effects of Head Injuries

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The Hidden Effects

The issues surrounding head injuries, including concussions, have never been a part of mainstream conversation more than they are right now. As we begin football season, the reports of thousands of ex-NFL players suing their former league regarding their mental health have shaken the sport down to its youngest players. Recently, pee-wee football organizations have released new rules limiting contact during practices.

Every athlete and parent knows football isn’t the only sport that is raising concerns about head injuries. Cycling has the highest number of people who sustain head traumas reporting to the emergency room each year, almost double the amount of the next highest, football. Hockey, soccer, wrestling, field hockey, baseball, softball, basketball, in fact, all sports reported an increase in head injuries from 2008 to 2009. As our kids become faster, stronger and start sports earlier, their chances of sustaining chronic head injuries, and the likely result of long-term brain injury, is dramatically rising. There is also a growing concern in the military regarding combat training procedures.

Check Your Neck

Just as concerning is the hidden tragedy that every head injury has the potential to also damage the neck. Since the primary focus at the time of a head injury is the head, the neck is very often overlooked. There are distinct signs of neck injury that can be found during an examination at the time of injury, as well as days, weeks, months and even years later. Due to the focus and pressure rising on concussions, the rapid forward-backward motion commonly known as whiplash has been swept under the rug, downplayed and often ignored. And yet, the vast majority of head injuries also have the mechanism to cause whiplash injuries as well.

A recent report on ESPN told the story of a teenage football player who made a tackle where he led with his head and broke his neck. In this case, his head wasn’t even injured, but his neck was injured severely and this unfortunate young man is paralyzed as a result. Most neck injuries that occur in conjunction with head trauma are not severe enough to cause paralysis, but can cause pressure on nerves that affect the health of the victim on many levels.

Symptoms and Side Effects

Whiplash and concussion both have serious long-term effects, including depression, memory-loss, fatigue, mood swings, headaches and chronic instability. Head and neck injuries also damage sensitive nerves in these regions as they exit the spine. Also, damage to ligaments can mean continual nerve irritation and interference if proper care is not given. The effects from these injuries can last decades after the pain goes away.

The Lifestyle Care Continuum

The potential for long-term effects has caused many to run away from activities they love and use to remain physically active. Rather than leave athletics, the Lifestyle Care Continuum of The 100 Year Lifestyle can help you correct and protect spine and nervous system subluxations that can affect the health of muscles, ligaments and vital organs as well.

Crisis Care provides relief and stability to injured areas of the spine. It is essential that these injuries are given appropriate time to stabilize, as head and neck injuries have a high rate of lingering symptoms. The Critical Transition phase of care is essential to help minimize the long-term effects of these injuries. Major research centers still only recommend care for several weeks following an injury, one of the probable causes for continued nerve damage. For people who have sustained previous injuries and those looking to avoid them, the spine and nerve protection afforded by Chiropractic Lifestyle Care contributes to optimum function and support, which can also minimize the risk of future injuries.

This issue will be part of our society for years to come. If you or a loved one has ever sustained even a mild head or neck injury, consider your long term health and get your spine and nerve system checked. The damage done by the injury may not surface for years to come, but your ability to protect your long term health and well-being begins now.

References:
1.http://nflconcussionlitigation.com/

2.http://www.nytimes.com/2012/06/14/sports/pop-warner-football-limits-contact-in-practices.html

3.http://www.aans.org/Patientpercentsign20Information/Conditionspercentsign20andpercentsign20Treatments/Sports-Relatedpercentsign20Headpercentsign20Injury.aspx

4.http://health.usnews.com/health-news/family-health/brain-and-behavior/articles/2009/01/28/concussions-effects–may-linger-for-decades

5.http://jama.jamanetwork.com/article.aspx?articleid=197667

6.http://windcitypt.com/files/2011/07/Sterling_predictors_of_outcomes_post_WAD.pdf

Soccer and Chiropractic

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Soccer is one of the most popular sports in the world. People of all ages enjoy playing for fun and fitness and billions of fans everywhere gather to watch the most talented athletes in the world play “the beautiful game” every week and especially during the Fifa World Cup.

For many of these athletes, Chiropractic has played an important role in their training to achieve peak performance levels and as a part of their lifestyle.

Dr. Mike Foudy of Mission Viejo, CA, team chiropractor for the Women’s World Cup Championship Team in 1994 said, “all but one member of the team received regular chiropractic care during their training and on the days of their matches. Chiropractic adjustments balanced their spine, removed nerve pressure and optimized the function of their bodies. They felt like they healed quicker from injuries and that the care gave them a competitive edge.”

Recently, 2015 Master’s Champion Jordan Spieth thanked his chiropractor during his Green Jacket speech. Famous athletes in every sport have made chiropractic care a regular part of training, including NFL greats Jerry Rice, Emmitt Smith and Roger Craig.

Dr. Eric Plasker, author of the #1 Best Selling, The 100 Year Lifestyle Workout, was the chiropractor for one of the top youth soccer teams in the nation. During a winning streak that led to a National Championship, Dr. Plasker said, “The team receives adjustments prior to games. During tournament weekends, while the other teams are scrambling to change their lineups due to injuries, our team bounces back fast and brings an energetic advantage to championship games. The players and coach agree that chiropractic care helps them compete at the highest level and avoid injuries.”

For soccer players and for athletes of all ages, there are three components to maximizing your performance and fitness levels that will help you get your ESS in Shape. All three components of the ESS are crucial for any athlete who wants to heal quickly function and at their highest level and participate throughout their lifetime.

“E” stands for Endurance. Cardiovascular fitness is necessary to have a healthy heart and maintain stamina during games. The first “S” stands for Strength. Athletes who are physically strong can get the competitive edge over others. The second “S” stands for Structure which means having a healthy spine and nervous system.

Unfortunately, too many athletes have their ESS out of balance, focusing on one or two of the components of the ESS rather than all three. This imbalance keeps athletes from reaching peak performance levels and can also lead to injuries.

Soccer players must pay particular attention to the balance of their ESS, especially their structure, spine and nervous system. Repetitive twisting on the lower back and hips while kicking the ball can lead to misalignments that put pressure on the nerves. This may cause immediate symptoms such as back, hip, leg, knee, ankle or foot pain, or it may lie dormant and asymptomatic until ‘the straw breaks the camel’s back.’ As time goes on, these imbalances can make an athlete slower and weaker, diminishing the strength of their kick.

Locating these spinal subluxations can be done by a chiropractic examination. During this World Cup season, treat yourself like many of the pros do and schedule a chiropractic appointment. You will get a big kick out of the care.

World Cup, Top Athletes Agree

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During the FIFA World Cup, the top athletes compete in the most watched sporting event in the world. Soccer fans everywhere will be gathering to watch “the beautiful game” on the most exciting stage in sports.

For many of these athletes, in addition to their nutritional and sports training protocols, chiropractic care has played an important role in helping them achieve peak performance levels and enhanced their lifestyle. Many of the MLS players utilize chiropractic care and many of the teams have chiropractors that they work with directly. Dr. Monte Layton, for example, has been the official chiropractor of the Real Salt Lake team since its inaugural season in 2005. Dr. Layton, like many other chiropractors, takes care of top athletes in many sports including PGA tour players, Olympians and the Utah Jazz.

Dr. Mike Foudy of Mission Viejo, CA, was the team chiropractor for the Women’s World Cup Championship Team in 1994. “All but one member of the team received regular chiropractic care during their training and on the days of their matches. Chiropractic adjustments balanced their spine, removed nerve pressure and optimized the function of their bodies. They healed quicker from injuries and the care gave them a competitive edge.”

In 2015, Master’s Champion Jordan Spieth thanked his chiropractor during his Green Jacket speech. Tom Brady and Sidney Crosby are vocal advocates. Top athletes in nearly every sport have made chiropractic care a core part of their training including NFL Hall of Famers and legends Jerry Rice, Emmitt Smith and Roger Craig to name a few.

As the team chiropractor for the Georgia State University Mens Soccer team and U-17 National Champion Alpharetta Ambush team, I was always inspired by the way athletes respond to the care. During a winning streak that led to three State Championships, two Regional Championships and a National Championship, the team received adjustments before and after the games. During tournament weekends, while the other teams were scrambling to change their lineups due to injuries, our team bounced back fast and brought an energetic advantage to field. The players and coaches agreed that chiropractic care helped the players compete at the highest level and avoid injuries.

The 5 principles of 100 Year LIfestyle FitNESS include Neurology, Nutrition, Endurance Strength and Structure. If you want to be able to perform at your highest level when you are young, and enjoy your favorite sports as you age, all five of these components are vital. Make them a part of your lifestyle and enjoy participating in your favorite sport at 100 percent for 100 years.