Concussion

It doesn’t have to have occurred on the pitch most don’t. In the US there are 1.7 million people go to A and E and there are estimated to be 3.8 million overall. Most are RTAs (Road Traffic Accidents), struck by an object, assault or sport.

There is a ratio of 2:1 women to men who suffer from concussion.

What actually happens to give concussion?

The brain is like a jelly, suspended from the skull, so if there’s direct trauma it’ll be affected but mostly it’s inertia. So if there’s direct trauma is a sudden slowing down of the head that will be transmitted into the brain and in very severe cases that can cause bruising but mostly it’s a huge power surge with messages being sent in all directions like in Epilepsy or Migraine.

This will cause the brain to be confused with a massive surge of electrical information to a point of unconsciousness in extreme situations or where it needs time to reconfigure or reboot. This uses a huge amount of electrical energy and over the next 6 hours there is a massive drop in energy stores before it begins to reboot for the next 120 hours (11-12 days). That’s why 3 weeks is needed for returning to normal life in a staged or progressive manner.

Therefore if an individual has what’s termed predisposing conditions such as Epilepsy, Migraine, Asthma, Anxiety/Depression, sleep disturbance, Persistent Concussion Syndrome they are more likely to be affected by concussion and Persistent Concussion Syndrome.

If concussion is suspected

The sooner they are in a safe place the better, then those who know them like family or friends can chat to them and see just how “not themselves” they are. That collection of symptoms is how their brain has been affected and will be the maker of their recovery.

To start they must be in a place of no symptoms e.g. in a darkened room with no stimulation or perhaps listening to the radio or watching TV . If their symptoms are present they need to be in a less stressful environment to allow the rebooting of the brain to begin, if not it can’t so then remains poorly and more fragile.

Then every 24-48 hours allow a little more brain demand to occur like return to school or work but less physical and emotional stress than normal. Progress every 24-48 hours in this manner over a three week time scale until ‘back to normal’.

Treatment Protocols at Wharfedale Rugby Club

At the Wharfedale Rugby Club we are piloting better concussion treatment protocols by hands on treatment and the use of the “relaxingspinetube.co.uk” and the team warm up programme on my YouTube channel, johnbrewsterosteopath.

At this stage they can return to training in the same manner of progression i.e. gentle train then more intensity until full contact over a few training sessions.

If concussion isn’t following a straight forward resolution and becomes persistent, a clinician who is aware of the protocols required needs to be sourced.

Additional Support

At Farfield House Clinic, we embrace a holistic approach to your health. In addition to osteopathy, our skilled team offers complementary therapies such as acupuncture and reiki, designed to enhance your recovery process. By integrating these therapies, we aim to foster overall wellness and balance in your life.

Why Choose Us

Our experienced practitioners are committed to delivering personalised care that caters to your unique needs. We recognise that every individual is different, and we strive to create a welcoming environment where you can comfortably discuss your concerns. Your path to recovery is our top priority, and we are here to support you every step of the way.