Heads, Helmets, and an Overlooked Injury–December 4, 2014
Heads, Helmets, and an Overlooked Injury
Many sports now use helmets for head protection—
- Hockey
- Skiing
- Football
- Bicycling
However, the increase in the use of helmets for head protection has led to an increase in an injury pattern no one much considers—neck trauma. When the head hits, the helmet bounces leaving the neck traumatized, similar to whiplash.
A recent article from the NY Times cites, “The helmet does a very good job at protecting against skull lacerations and skull fractures, but it doesn’t seem to have much effect on concussions or T.B.I.’s,” Shealy said, referring to traumatic brain injuries. Clearly, there are many unanswered questions regarding the role of helmets.
Many of my clients have strange aches, pains, and stiffness in the neck and there is a helmet protected head event in their recent past. In the past year, there have been many ski and hockey related impacts with similar characteristics.
Today I helped a young hockey player who has had several head impacts against the boards, the net, and other players—all while wearing his concussion-rated helmet. His head and brain are fine; his neck and shoulders, not so lucky. In response to the impacts, the muscles in his neck and shoulders stiffened up to protect the vital structures inside. He’s back on top of his game, ready for his tournament this weekend!
What Do We Check?
We check a number of balance aspects, head stability related to the body, visual and balance relationships, and general postural stabilizing reactions. Many ways that the head influences performance of the body and sensory systems.
What Do We Do?
We use Kinetic Bridging® to restore the micro-movements involved in stabilizing the head, especially those traumatized from the specific impact of the injury. It is usually a session or two to get everything all synched back up getting you back into play.
Why Doesn’t It Get Better on Its Own?
The impact and trauma of the injury usually interrupt the communication paths between very intricate muscle relationships. It is like a phone switchboard getting crushed. Many of the wires connect, but not to the correct place. We restore the communication pathways by using Bridging® to systematically put fundamental muscle relationships back into place. The changes take effect immediately since we are merely clearing chaos.
From infants to adults, we restore your micro-movements quickly returning you to the movement that defines your life!
A Note from Cara
Black Friday, Cyber Monday, and Giving Tuesday!
The gift of movement is something we share in daily—from the joy and amazement of children experiencing new abilities to adults moving without pain. Truly a gift!
In the spirit of giving, I share with you two of the organizations I personally support. Consider supporting them too!
Make-A-Wish brings joy to children with life-threatening medical conditions to enrich the human experience with hope, strength, and joy. My son Dan had a wish when he was a year into his Leukemia treatment and I was just accepted to be a Wish Grantor for other children’s wishes. Consider bringing a little light into a dark time by including Make-A-Wish-Illinois in your year-end giving.
Another role I have is being a proud mom to a U.S. Marine. My son Max has been a Marine for two years and is currently serving our nation from Japan. In his travels and assignments, he relies upon hospitality and support provided by the USO. It’s an organization I appreciate as I see how it supports the troops and families in situations most of us can’t begin to relate to.
Many of us take movement for granted. When an illness, accident, or incident impairs movement these organizations help families in so many important ways.