The answer to this question is “Yes” and “No”. 

Concussion is caused by an acceleration and deceleration of the brain inside the skull. Due to this, the nerve cells in the brain to become stretched and stimulated, resulting in a surge of electrical activity. This causes the initial symptoms of a person falling to the ground, finding it difficult to stand up and generally being disorientated. This may only last a minute or two but the surge utilises a huge amount of energy which the brain finds difficult to restore to normal levels; hence, the ongoing symptoms of concussion.  

What if you could limit the effect of the acceleration/deceleration injury to the brain. Neck strength has been suggested as one way of limiting the effect of the concussion on the brain, however it’s not really as simple as that. 

Research has shown that decreasing the forces applied to the head can possibly reduce the likelihood of suffering a concussion. Reducing these forces to the head is more related to neck stiffness, not necessarily neck strength. Increasing neck stiffness could reduce the forces applied to the head therefore reducing the chance of suffering a concussion.  

There is a big difference when an athlete is prepared for impact and when they are not.  

When an athlete knows an impact is coming, they are more likely to tense up and contract their neck muscles and therefore increase their neck stiffness. When an athlete is unaware of a potential impact, they are more likely to be relaxed and therefore reduce their neck stiffness.  

It is important to note that an athlete with a stronger neck will have greater neck stiffness and therefore a decreased chance of sustaining a concussion.  Generally, it comes down to whether the athlete is ready for impact or not. The athlete who is unaware of potential impact will be more likely to suffer a concussion injury.  

Ultimately improving your neck strength will reduce the likelihood of concussion as long as the athlete is prepared for the impact. Improving an athlete’s ‘game awareness’ could lead to a decreased chance of concussion because they will be more likely to know when a potential ‘concussion hit’ may be about to happen, hence they will be prepared for the hit. This comes with experience but can also be accomplished with coaching proper technique and game preparation. 

It can be very hard to predict how long a concussion will last, especially if you take into the account other systems that may be injured when the concussion takes place.  

We know that concussion is a functional injury, resulting in abnormal brain function. When it comes to the brain itself during the concussive episode the neurons in your brain shear and stretch resulting in what is called a neurometabolic cascade. In simple terms, when the concussion happens your brain releases a massive amount of cell energy which takes time and more energy to replenish. This causes an energy deficit and requires time to restore.  

Research shows that it takes about 22-45 days for the brain to recover metabolically from a concussion. However, physiologically recovering from a concussion is a lot different. Typically, symptoms following a concussion with take 7-10 days to subside. Most of the time symptoms persist because of other systems that were affected by the injury itself.  

When a concussion occurs, other systems can be affected and, if not treated, can lead to symptoms persisting long after the brain has metabolically recovered. 

Studies have shown that the sooner you get treatment following a concussion the less likely you are to experience persistent concussion symptoms.  

Treatment comprising of functional testing, not just symptom management, is more likely to produce a quicker recovery and a sooner return to sport.  

Practitioners at Sydney Concussion Centre take a holistic approach to concussion recovery. Things we consider include: 

• Neck injury 
• Headache management 
• Vestibular impairment 
• Reduced Exercise Capacity 
• Advice regarding return to work, school and sport 
• Diet 
• Visual impairment

When treating concussion and post-concussion symptoms it is important to look at the big picture to find out why these symptoms are occurring and what can be done to manage them better. Being proactive in your rehabilitation and seeking help from an experienced Concussion Practitioner is the best approach. 

For many people, the after-effects of a concussion are severe and life-altering. Symptoms may vary for each individual but will likely include headache, dizziness, light sensitivity and sleep difficulties. One extremely common and deleterious symptom, following a concussion, is headache. 

At first, a headache doesn’t sound too bad – we all experience them at some point. However, moving from the occasional headache to constant, intense headaches is a huge transition. Many people report their constant headache has the ability to significantly affect their career, relationships and general quality of life. 

So, what happens during a concussion that causes a person to have long-standing headaches?

And more importantly, how can these headaches be treated?

The good news is that these long-standing headaches are often due to factors other than the concussion itself. The reason for this is that symptoms attributed directly to the concussion typically last just seven to ten days. If a headache has been lasting longer, it can usually be inked to a secondary injury, usually sustained at the same time as the concussion. Thankfully, once the cause has been identified by a skilled practitioner, these headaches can be successfully treated.

 Following full brain recovery there are typically five other reasons why headaches may be persisting. These are:

• Exercise intolerance 
• Visual/Vestibular disturbances
• Hormonal/inflammatory disturbances
• Psychological concerns
• Neck Dysfunction

This blog will focus on how neck dysfunction may masquerade as the exact same symptoms of a concussion which can include persistent headaches. Unfortunately, after a concussion, the neck can be underappreciated as a driver of ongoing symptoms, but it certainly can be a common beast! This frequently overlooked structure can be an easily treatable cause of symptoms. 

Injury or dysfunction of the neck has been shown to cause symptoms such as headache, migraines, dizziness, brain fog, cognitive impairments and visual disturbances. In short, the exact same symptoms that acute concussion will yield! But why is it that a neck injury can bring on things such a persistent headache? There are a few reasons for this but the most current frame on thought is an increase in brainstem sensitivity.

Headaches and migraines are a result of an increase in brainstem sensitivity. As the sensitivity increases, the more magnified the response becomes. A sensitised brainstem can be considered similar to an amplifier, causing normal input to the brain to become increased – normal sensations become painful, a normal light source becomes incredibly bright, or the dull street noise becomes extremely loud. In some people the increased input to the brain can be so magnified it has a hard time processing everything, leading to brain fog and difficulty concentrating.

So, we know that a dysfunction in the neck can manifest as a headache, but how can a neck injury occur with a concussion?

But what about timeframes?

How long will it take for the neck and the headaches to recover? 

 In the early stages, following the injury, it is almost impossible to distinguish between a concussion and a neck injury. It is, therefore, always recommended to err on the safe side and assume it is a concussion until proven otherwise. Following a fall or a hit, and with ANY concussion-like symptoms, a concussion diagnosis should be made. Gradual cognitive and exercise re-integration principles should apply, along with a temporary removal from high-risk sports. Appropriate treatment of structures such as the neck should also be given to reduce the likelihood of a neck injury really ‘taking hold’.  In these early stages and with appropriate management the majority of people will be fully recovered with all their symptoms within seven to ten days.

However, if headaches have been lingering for a while it may take a little bit longer. Despite long standing headaches, manual therapy to the neck is one of the top evidence-based treatments following concussions. The research below shows that, even if your headaches have been lingering for months or years, the neck is still an excellent area to treat to achieve real results.

Practitioners at Sydney Concussion Centre understand the frustration of long-standing headaches and general concussion symptoms. We can provide a clear and tangible plan to move forward and diminish your headaches. With the right strategy, headaches can be significantly changed. 

If you feel you need some help with your concussion, give us a call on 1800 CONCUSSION  |  1800 266 287