Understanding Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy
When a person suffers from a concussions, they may suffer from symptoms because of that concussion. Those symptoms will increase if they suffer from more than one concussion and will result in a condition known as post-concussion syndrome.
For those who suffer from post concussion syndrome, just one concussion, or even a mild traumatic brain injury called a sub-concussion, they may suffer from Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy. The problem is that it is not possible to determine if a person suffers from this type of brain injury until an autopsy is performed on the person.
Leading Experts Speak
Now, there is debate as to whether or not CTE even exists. The Chicago Sun Times reported that Robert Stern of Boston University stated in a meeting of the American Academy of Clinical Neuropsychology that the world’s leading experts don’t question the existence of CTE.
In that meeting, Stern cited various studies, one of which was an analysis of 85 people’s post-mortem brain’s. Of those examined, 64 were athletes who had suffered repetitive mild traumatic brain injuries. 68 of those 85 people also showed signs if degeneration associated with CTE.
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On the opposing side, Christopher Randolph of the Loyola University Stritch School of Medicine made the claim that those studies only showed “something in the brain of uncertain clinical significance.” He said those studies do not prove the existence of CTE and more studies need to be done.
Of course, though the two men did not agree as to whether or not Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy exists, they did agree that athletes and others who are potential risk need to be aware of the risks. Some of those risks may not come directly because of an injury to the head, but they may be the result of an injury to the upper neck.
Neck Trauma and Concussions
Often times, a head or neck trauma can cause damage to the spine due to the breaking down of the connective tissue. That will cause the spine to collapse and lock in a stressed position, thus causing the most problems to the upper cervical spine because of the weight of the rest of the spine pulling on those top two vertebrae.
Thankfully, an upper cervical chiropractor is able to examine a person’s neck for any misalignments caused by repeated concussions. Is impossible to suffer a head injury without suffering a neck injury as well. And commonly the neck injury is what does not allow the head injury to fully heal. Misalignments in the upper neck have been shown to cause changes in blood and cerebrospinal fluid flow to from and through the brain which can lead to the lingering symptoms associated with concussion. Upper cervical specialists focus on identifying and correcting upper neck misalignments in order to restore proper blood, cerebral spinal fluid and nerve flow to from and through the brain. This can make all the difference for someone suffering from post concussion syndrome.
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