Concussions
Concussions in children often go undetected, especially when they don’t appear dramatic. Grade 1 concussions, which are the most common, account for about 90% of all concussions. These mild forms can look like simple confusion or forgetfulness and are easily overlooked.
Signs of a possible concussion:
- Confusion or dazed appearance
- Trouble paying attention
- Forgetting plays or instructions
- Mixing up events or sequences
These subtle signs are easy to miss, which makes awareness so important.
How Concussions Happen in Youth Sports
Concussions can happen in many common sports situations, such as:
- Heading a soccer ball incorrectly
- Tackling or charging in football
- Checking in hockey
- Hitting goal posts or other obstacles
- Colliding heads with other players
- Falling on hard surfaces like ice or gym floors
Second Impact Syndrome: Why Timing Matters.
Sometimes adults dismiss these injuries and urge kids to “tough it out”. However, a second head injury after the first can be deadly. This is known as Second Concussion Syndrome – a condition where the brain swells uncontrollably after a repeat trauma. Tragically, it’s almost always fatal. For this reason, it is absolutely worthy of our attention. Therefore, if your child shows any cognitive changes, altered behavior, sleep issues, or vision changes, do not let them return to play.
What can we do?
You can help protect your child’s long term health by taking head injuries seriously. In fact, even a seemingly mild injury can misalign the spine and affect nerve function.
have your child evaluated by a chiropractor after a head or neck injury. A gentle adjustment won’t cause harm, but it could prevent future problems with growth, development, or performance.
When in doubt, check it out. A spinal exam takes just minutes and can make a big difference.