Concussion
A concussion is a mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI) that temporarily affects brain function. It’s most commonly caused by a blow to the head or body that leads to a rapid movement of the brain within the skull. While not every impact results in a concussion, it’s important to monitor symptoms closely after any head trauma.
Falls are the leading cause of concussions, followed by injuries from contact sports like football, hockey, and soccer. Although some concussions involve a brief loss of consciousness, many do not.
How Do We Treat Concussions at Complete Balance?
While some people recover from a concussion within a few weeks, others may experience lingering symptoms that can last months or even years—affecting focus, energy, mood, and overall quality of life. At Complete Balance, we take a unique, holistic, and interdisciplinary approach to concussion care, addressing both the neurological impact and the wide-reaching effects on the entire body.
Concussions can lead to autonomic nervous system (ANS) dysregulation, neuroinflammation, hormonal imbalances, gut dysbiosis, vestibular and visual dysfunction, cervical spine misalignment, and psychological challenges. Our team of integrated health professionals works collaboratively to support recovery on all levels.
- Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) modalities—including scalp acupuncture and bleeding techniques—are used to reduce neuroinflammation and calm the nervous system. These approaches can alleviate symptoms like headaches, dizziness, fatigue, light/noise sensitivity, and sleep disturbances.
- Our Naturopathic Doctor addresses concussion-related gut and hormonal imbalances through customized dietary strategies and targeted supplementation, supporting mood, digestion, and cognitive function.
- Brain injuries often disrupt the gut-brain axis, leading to gut dysbiosis and increased inflammation. We help restore gut health to reduce systemic stress and promote neurological recovery.
- Vestibular rehabilitation therapy, provided by our Physiotherapist and Chiropractor, uses targeted exercises to improve balance, coordination, and spatial awareness—often affected after a concussion.
- Our Chiropractor also addresses cervical spine misalignments and tension caused by the impact, while prescribing exercises to strengthen neck muscles and stabilize the spine.
- Headache
- Dizziness or “seeing stars”
- Nausea or vomiting
- Fatigue or drowsiness
- Confusion or memory loss surrounding the event
- Blurry vision or ringing in the ears
You may also notice emotional or cognitive changes such as:
- Trouble concentrating or remembering
- Sensitivity to light and sound
- Irritability, mood swings, or sadness
Some symptoms appear immediately, while others can take hours or even days to surface. That’s why it’s essential to seek medical attention if a concussion is suspected—especially in children or athletes returning to play.
While most people fully recover with rest and proper care, recovery times can vary. Repeated concussions or returning to activity too soon can increase the risk of long-term effects.
Early intervention and a gradual return to activity are key to a safe recovery.
If you or someone you care about has had a head injury, don’t ignore the signs—get evaluated and support your brain’s healing process.
At Complete Balance, we don’t just treat symptoms—we look at the whole picture. Our goal is to help you recover fully, rebuild resilience, and return to life with clarity, strength, and balance.
There is currently no direct treatment for concussion itself in western medicine. The standard approach focuses on symptom management and rest, allowing the brain to heal naturally over time.
Initially, 24–48 hours of relative rest is recommended—limiting screen time, cognitive tasks, and physical activity that worsen symptoms. However, complete isolation in a dark room is no longer advised.
Gradual reintroduction of light physical and mental activity is encouraged once tolerated. Activities like walking or light cycling may support recovery, but contact sports or high-risk movement should be avoided until full recovery and medical clearance.
Supportive care may include adjustments at work or school and therapies for persistent issues with vision, balance, or memory. Pain is typically managed with acetaminophen; anti-inflammatory medications like ibuprofen are avoided due to bleeding risk.
Ultimately, recovery depends on rest, pacing, and symptom monitoring—rather than active treatment.