3 Symptoms Of Post-Concussion Syndrome That Massage Therapy May Alleviate

Every 3 minutes, someone in Canada acquires a brain injury. Some individuals recover quickly, while others spend years -- or even the rest of their lives -- attempting to regain their former state of health. Post-concussion syndrome is one common type of traumatic brain injury that has no known cure, and some patients never fully recover from this painful, hard-to-diagnose condition. If you've been battling post-concussion syndrome for a while, you may find relief from some -- or all -- of these three symptoms if you visit a licensed massage therapist.

Neck Pain

During a concussion, your head may whip back and forth or snap to the side. If this happens, it is possible that you will develop an injury known as whiplash. Whiplash makes it difficult to move your head, which can cause numerous problems as you attempt to work, drive, or tend to your children and pets.

Massage therapists are well-versed in techniques that help ease tight muscles in the neck, and they can carefully massage your neck and shoulders during your visit. Once your muscles are relaxed, you may find it easier to rotate your head during everyday tasks. Ongoing visits may help keep your whiplash in submission, so talk to the practitioner to figure out how often you should stop in for a therapeutic massage.

Headaches

Headaches are a common symptom associated with post-concussion syndrome. Post-concussion headaches usually disappear within 6 months, but that isn't always the case. Some folks continue to experience severe, migraine-like pain long after the head injury occurred, while others simply have minor twinges of discomfort from time to time. Regardless of which type of head pain you are experiencing, a massage therapist may be able to help.

Your massage therapist will start by asking some questions about your medical history. This helps the therapist learn more about the cause of your headaches so that you can receive a treatment plan tailored to your unique needs. Your headaches might stem from stress and depression related to the brain injury, or you might have an out-of-whack neck that is contributing to the pain. A skilled massage practitioner will analyze the information that you share and use it to perform an effective massage that targets your headaches' triggers. 

Dizziness

Some people with post-concussion syndrome do not experience painful headaches or sore necks. Instead, they are plagued by frequent bouts of dizziness and lightheadedness. The episodes may be mild or severe, and they can make it difficult for affected individuals to exercise, cook, or even sleep. Dizziness may seem like an annoying yet minor symptom, but it can be dangerous. An individual may be more likely to suffer from another concussion or other serious injuries if they find it difficult to walk in a straight line or drive properly due to the dizziness.

There are different reasons why folks with post-concussion syndrome develop dizziness, and an experienced massage therapist can address nearly all of the culprits. Anxiety can cause dizziness or a floating sensation, and a gentle massage may help release endorphins that combat the dizziness-inducing anxiety. Dizziness can also be a symptom of whiplash, which you now know is a condition that a massage therapist can treat. Lack of sleep is another common cause of dizziness, and your sleep schedule might be messed up from the brain injury. Massage therapists can help patients who are experiencing any of these scenarios.

It takes time to recover from post-concussion syndrome, but there are things that you can do to help speed up the process. If you have symptoms that affect your daily life, talk to a massage practitioner at a clinic like Physiomobility Home Healthcare to learn more about how massage therapy can alleviate your post-concussion pain.


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