Objective: To describe the chiropractic management of 6 consecutive patients with post-concussion syndrome and to discuss the importance of correcting and maintaining the alignment of the craniocervical junction in post-concussion syndrome.
Clinical Features: Six patients ranging in age from 39 to 82 had history of post-concussion syndrome, each with a duration of at least 6 weeks. Confirmation of a head/neck trauma leading to a concussion was established with each patient. Baseline concussion status was determined using the Rivermead Post-Concussion Questionnaire, the Neck Disability Index, the Headache Disability Index and the Dizziness Handicap Inventory. Previous treatments for concussion among the 6 patients included physiotherapy, vestibular therapy, massage therapy, cranio-sacral therapy, over-the-counter medications and LyricaTM.
Intervention and Outcome: The patients received low-force chiropractic spinal adjustments to the upper cervical spine using the NUCCA protocol over a 12-week period. There were improvements in many of the indices assessed among all 6 patients. This was confirmed at week 6 and week 12 of treatment.
Conclusion: This case series demonstrated improvements in post-concussion syndrome in all 6 patients. The results observed in this case series suggest an encouraging relationship between intervention in the upper cervical spine and reduction in the long-term effects of concussion in some patients that requires further study.
Author keywords: Post-Concussion Syndrome; Craniocervical Junction
Author affiliation: Private Practitioner, Stittsville, Ontario, Canada
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