A concussion is a brain injury caused by an impact or a blow to the head, but it can also happen when there is a sudden change of motion that causes the brain to move inside of the skull. Sudden movement can stretch and damage brain tissue and trigger a chain of harmful changes within the brain that interfere with normal function.
A concussion isn’t visible from the outside, and you can’t see it with standard medical imaging tools. Instead, it is diagnosed by physical symptoms and abnormal brain function. Symptoms can arise immediately, or they can appear days after the initial injury. Physical symptoms following a concussion can include confusion, headache, vision disturbances, dizziness or balance problems, and nausea or vomiting. A concussion can also affect memory, judgment, reflexes, speech, balance, and muscle coordination.
Sports are by far the leading cause of concussions. Most people understand that impact sports, such as football, hockey, soccer, and boxing can lead to concussions.
However, people can be surprised to learn that it doesn’t take much to get a concussion, you don’t have to lose consciousness, or even hit your head. Any impact that gives the brain inside the skull a good shake can cause a concussion. CDC reports show that the number of reported concussions has doubled in the last ten years.
Even mild concussions should be taken seriously. While some concussions exhibit less symptoms than others, there is no such thing as a minor concussion. While the first concussion can cause problems, the second impact can cause permanent long-term brain damage. Science has shown that repeated concussions over an extended time can result in cumulative, permanent neurological and cognitive deficits.¹
Because neurofeedback literally retrains how the brain functions, it can help a concussed brain return to healthy operation and alleviate symptoms in as little as eight weeks.²
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1. Sahler, C. S., & Greenwald, B. D. (2011). Traumatic Brain Injury in Sports: A Review. Rehabilitation Research and Practice, 2012. https://doi.org/10.1155/2012/659652
2. Bonn, M. M., Alvarez, L., Graham, L., Thompson, J. W., & Dickey, J. P. (2021). Biofeedback as an intervention for persistent post-concussive symptoms: A randomized feasibility trial. Journal of Concussion. https://doi.org/10.1177/20597002211046459