concussion recovery is a long and complicated process
many myths persist around concussion recovery — even in the healthcare profession
3 minute read
dr. cameron marshall (right), alongside colleagues naturopath dr. paul hrkal (centre) and licensed therapist melinda krynen hill (left), take a holistic approach to post-concussion recovery. supplied
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this story was created by content works, postmedia’s commercial content division, on behalf of a client.
when we hear the word ‘concussion,’ many of us think of professional athletes who sustain the injury from a big hit or fall.
but a statistics canada health report found that approximately 1.6 per cent of canadians over the age of 12 sustained one or more concussions in 2019. that figure doesn’t include people who didn’t seek medical care for their concussion or didn’t realize they had suffered one.
not just the stuff of the sports world, concussions can be caused by falls, vehicle accidents or even sudden jolts such as on an amusement park ride. nevertheless, misunderstandings about what a concussion looks like in the long-term could be causing patients to miss critical opportunities for treatment.
simply put, a concussion occurs when the brain is shaken in the skull. some of the more familiar symptoms are headaches, dizziness and sensitivity to light. but they can also include increased difficulty making decisions, trouble finding words and mood changes such as irritability, anxiety or increased impulsivity. that’s because, rather than being a brain injury, a concussion can have systemic effects that aren’t broadly understood by the medical community.
dr. cameron marshall established concussion fix, an online program for post-concussion recovery, when he realized how many patients shared the same misconceptions. supplied
because many symptoms are lesser-known, people with concussions may remain undiagnosed or end up living with post-concussive symptoms that don’t resolve after a few weeks. compounding the problem are many myths that persist around concussion recovery — even in the healthcare profession.
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when dr. cameron marshall realized he was spending a significant amount of time dispelling these misunderstandings in his practice as a sports specialist chiropractor, he knew he had to do something.
he was inspired alongside colleagues dr. paul hrkal, a naturopath, and melinda krynen hill, a licensed therapist, to start the concussion fix: an online program for post-concussion recovery.
what brought the three together was a mutual understanding of the complexities of post-concussion symptoms — and how many patient journeys lack the full-body approach the concussion fix takes.
the reality of a concussion’s impact on mental health can be eye-opening, explains krynen hill. “it’s been demonstrated that people with existing mental health conditions such as depression and anxiety are at risk to have those worsen after a concussion,” she says
as a naturopathic doctor, dr. hrkal looks at patients from a different perspective. “i really focus in on things that are happening at a cellular level,” dr. hrkal says of his approach. “so, for example, things like inflammation, hormonal imbalances, deficiencies and sleep dysfunction.”
to address these areas of concern, one of dr. hrkal’s main pieces of the program revolves around diet and supplementation. “one of the key things that happens after a concussion is an inflammatory response,” he observes. “and one of the levers we have to control the inflammation in our bodies is the food we fuel ourselves with.”
dr. paul hrkal cites the mediterranean diet as a good option for post-concussion patients, as it’s been shown to lower inflammation. supplied
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he cites the mediterranean diet as a good option for patients, as it’s been shown to lower inflammation. “we provide information about nutrient-dense foods and unprocessed foods that provide hydration and good fats.”
it may come as a surprise that the human brain is nearly 60 per cent fat.
“it’s been known for years that fats, specifically the dha component of omega-3 fatty acids, play a crucial role in brain development and health. one study even showed that people supplementing with omega-3s recovered faster from sports-related concussions than those on placebo,” dr. hrkal adds.
he stresses that a concussion is complex, and lingering post-concussion symptoms are rarely due to just one thing. “some people do really well with the dietary changes and supplementation — which is why we use it. but others will say ‘it’s really my neck that’s my main issue’, which is why we take the multidisciplinary approach,” he explains.
what are some of the major myths the concussion fix team hopes to dispel?
“a major one is that you should remain inactive after a concussion,” says dr. marshall. “the evidence-based consensus now is very clear that light activity that doesn’t trigger symptoms has significantly better outcomes than rest.”
“a major one is that you should remain inactive after a concussion,” says dr. marshall. “the evidence-based consensus now is very clear that light activity that doesn’t trigger symptoms has significantly better outcomes than rest.”
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another myth, which could lead to underdiagnosis, is that concussion symptoms start immediately. in fact, symptoms can take hours or even days to manifest.
according to dr. marshall’s experience, dispelling these myths can help people suffering from post-concussion symptoms find relief they weren’t able to before. “no one’s ever told them any of the stuff we’re telling them, and they start implementing these changes. with time and ongoing holistic support, patients can get back to work and life.”
this story was created by healthing content works, healthing.ca’s commercial content division, on behalf of aquaomega.
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