Concussion Symptoms Left Unchecked Can Prove Deadly

Now more than ever, young athletes are pressured to perform.  This pressure comes from many sources, but as parents, it's important to monitor your athlete closely.  A recent article CBC news describes how a young athlete 'ignored concussion symptoms, days before her death.'

Many student athletes, like the one described in the article, are pressured to continue to play and have a strong drive to continue to play despite injuries and symptoms that suggest trouble.  It seems more now than ever before, parents have to be aware of any injuries sustained, and then watch for symptoms of possible head trauma.

If there was an injury and symptoms appear, an assessment is absolutely vital.  At Smith Family Chiropractic, we offer the most comprehensive and contemporary approach in diagnosing and managing concussions.  If you have a young athlete that you suspect has had a head trauma, do not delay in getting your child assessed.  Call us today.  (218)736-4113.

Be sure to read the whole story from CBC news at: http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/ottawa/rowan-stringer-ignored-concussion-symptoms-days-before-death-1.3077245

Children, Safety, and Head Injuries

Being a parent is tough!  It's hard to draw the line between over protective and negligent...especially as it relates to head injuries.  How much supervision do they need?  What should they be allowed to do?  How much protection is needed? What symptoms or behavior changes are concerning? All of these, are questions that keep many parents from sleeping and increase gray hairs at a rapid rate.

Sure, you want your child to be able to run and play and do all the things kids should do.  But, since children aren't aware of what to look for, or how to be careful is some instances, it is important as parents to provide that guidance.  And since it is impossible to watch them at all times, parents need to be attentive to a child's complaints and/or changes in behavior and provide some simple preventative measures.

One of the  most basic and convenient protective measures, is to provide bike helmets.  Now that summer is here, put their bike helmets on whenever they ride bikes, scooters, rollerblades, or skateboards.  This simple step can can make such a difference.  It is important to note that even a small bump on the head can result in brain stress.  Particularly, when a child is in the prime of their neurological development.

Another way to protect your child from long term effects of a head injury is to be aware of any change in their behavior or complaints.  Kids are very active an often have many hits to the head or bumps that they neglect to tell parents about.  Maybe it was a baseball to the head in the park, or a fall off the swing.  Often, these injuries don't get mentioned to parents but could possibly have caused some brain stress.

So as a parent, it is important to stay vigilant and watch for any changes such as: headaches, nausea, confusion, asking the same questions, blurred vision, reading changes, poor balance, shaky hands, or light sensitivity.  If you notice any of these, be sure to ask your child more questions about potential injuries they may have endured.  If you don't get the answers you need, don't hesitate to contact us!  We provide the most comprehensive and contemporary approach to brain injuries, and neurological child development.

Will your child 'grow out' of these developmental problems?

Sensorimotor problems include a wide variety of symptoms that relate to combining of functions from the sensory system and the motor system.
These symptoms are often noted as:

• Clumsiness
• Attention difficulties
• Reading problems
• Generalized anxiety
• Sensitivity for stress.   

Often times we overlook these symptoms in children and assume they will 'grow out' of them. However, new research published in Frontiers in Psychology finds that "motor problems do not disappear with age." (1)  As a result, "sensorimotor problems in early childhood should therefore be taken seriously and be the target of diagnostic examination and appropriate treatment." (1)

This study also concluded that the same treatment methods can be used for both children and adults with sensorimotor difficulties.  At Smith Family Chiropractic, our doctors utilize Functional Neurology to diagnose and treat both children and adults with difficulties and disorders that relate to the sensory and motor system.  If you notice these symptoms in your children, be sure to have their condition assessed as new research confirms it will not go away.  In addition, if left unchecked and untreated it can ultimately affect their learning and linger into adulthood.


Source: 
(1) Niklasson, Mats, et al.  "Adults with sensorimotor disorders: enhance physiological and psychological development following specific motor training." Frontiers in Psychology.  22 April 2015.

Orthopedic Rehab with Functional Neurology

This past weekend I had the privilege to study with fellow colleagues at The Carrick Insititute in Atlanta, GA.  This, hands on course was called Functional Neuro Orthopedic Rehab (FNOR).

This course focused on the upper quadrant, including the shoulder, arm, and wrist.  I learned a ton of great new information on the neurologic aspect of orthopedic problems including shoulder injuries such as, rotator cuff, frozen shoulder, impingement, adhesive capsulitis, tendinitis, bursitis, synovitis, carpal tunnel, tennis elbow and much more.  We learned so many great strategies to approach these ailments non-surgically by combining orthopedic care with functional neurology.  

If you are suffering with any of these types of ailments, whether they are acute or chronic, please contact our office today!

For more information on the course and material I studied last weekend, check out this video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UPaXfN0IS0I