A concussive injury happens when there is a traumatic force to the brain inside the skull. Sometimes this is from a direct hit to the head, sometimes it is from an indirect hit to the body that causes the internal trauma.
Since the whole brain has been affected, the symptoms can vary a lot depending on a many factors:
Where was the brain actually injured
What is the past medical history of the injured individual
The age of the person
Each person has a unique brain with unique responses to injury
Understanding that different areas of the brain are responsible for different activities also helps patients understand what true brain rest means.
We never want the brain to stop, but by doing activities that work different areas of the brain, we can rest overworked or more sensitive areas to allow them space to recover. This translates directly into pacing and planning and other ways to promote mitigation of symptoms.
If you want tips on making post concussion symptoms more manageable, stay tuned for our next post!
Join Dr. Macklin at 3:00 PM Friday, January 12th for a Facebook Live event talking about understanding symptom sources and how to promote brain rest.
Helping people understand how activity affects the brain can make a big difference in overall symptom management and overall recovery!