Concussion & Post-Trauma
Post-Concussion Neck Pain
Neck injury that accompanies the head injury and often persists.
Also called: Concussion-related neck pain.
The forces that cause a concussion also load the neck, so it is common for neck pain and stiffness to accompany or follow a head injury. Neck findings are frequently present and are within chiropractic scope to evaluate.
Neck symptoms after concussion can sometimes be overshadowed by more prominent symptoms like headache or dizziness, even though they may be contributing to them.
Why this matters
Dizziness, concentration difficulty, and headache can all have a neck-related component, so addressing neck findings may support the broader recovery picture even though it is not a treatment for the concussion itself.
A clear, specific evaluation of the neck helps separate what is neck-related from what needs ongoing medical attention.
The brain & nervous-system connection
Where the nervous system fits in
Neck position sense contributes to balance and eye-movement control, so neck findings after trauma are often relevant well beyond local pain.
Assessing neck movement and coordination alongside balance and visual-motion testing gives a fuller picture than looking at the neck in isolation.
What we look at
We look for patterns, not a single test
- Detailed health history and consultation
- NeuroInfiniti Stress Response Evaluation
- Posture and movement
- Balance and coordination testing
- Eye movement or neurological screening when appropriate
- Grip or motor-function testing when appropriate
- Palpation and spinal function
- Other examination procedures based on the individual
Not every person receives every test. What we perform depends on your history, your age and what the examination shows as we go.
Scope of care
What this does — and doesn't — mean
What we do
- • We evaluate chiropractic and musculoskeletal function.
- • We look at nervous-system-related functional findings that fall within our scope.
- • We assess movement, balance and coordination findings.
- • We measure stress-response patterns with the NeuroInfiniti evaluation.
- • We make individualized chiropractic care recommendations and re-measure over time.
What we don't claim
- • We do not diagnose, treat or cure diseases.
- • Chiropractic care is not a treatment for dementia, Alzheimer's disease or other neurological diseases.
- • Chiropractic care is not a replacement for medical care, testing or medication.
- • No outcome is promised. Results vary from person to person.
This is a concern where medical evaluation, imaging or co-management may be the right first step. Dr. Mike Geran will say so plainly if that is what the history and examination suggest.
Common questions
- Will I be adjusted on the first visit?
- Generally no. The first visit is an evaluation visit. Dr. Geran reviews the findings and makes recommendations at the follow-up visit.
- Do I need imaging before I come in?
- Not usually. If your history or examination suggests imaging is needed, we will say so and help arrange the right next step.
When medical evaluation may be needed
Some symptoms need medical evaluation first. If anything in your history or examination suggests that, we will say so and help point you in the right direction.
- Worsening headache or new neurological symptoms
- Numbness, weakness, or tingling in the arms
- Dizziness or visual disturbance that is worsening
Related at Foothills Chiropractic
- Balance & Coordination — Balance is a whole-nervous-system task. It is also one of the easier things to measure and re-measure.
- Ankle Instability — A repeatedly rolling or unreliable ankle, usually following earlier sprains.
- Atlantoaxial Instability — Excessive movement between the first two neck bones — a medical finding requiring caution.
- Auto Accident Injury — Musculoskeletal injuries following a motor vehicle collision.
Think Foothills Chiropractic might be right for you?
Start Here walks you through what the process looks like, so you can decide whether taking the next step makes sense for you.