Concussion Protocol: Symptoms and Healing Strategies

Concussion Protocol: Symptoms and Healing Strategies

Concussions are more common than you think. The number of concussion-related ED visits in children has increased by 57 percent from 2001 to 2009. About 300,000 concussions occur each year as a result of sports incidents, such as falls, jolt, blows, and bumps. Female athletes suffer from even more concussions than males. Concussions are clearly prevalent and it’s important that you take them seriously.

Major symptoms of concussions, such as headaches, dizziness, nausea, vomiting, and memory problems can be scary. They also cannot be ignored and have to be taken seriously. When not addressed properly early on, concussions can have serious long-term health consequences, including migraines, vertigo, and Parkinson’s disease. It is very important that you know what to do if you or any of your loved ones experience a concussion (1, 2).

In this article, you will learn what a concussion is, its major symptoms and long-term effects. I will share with you some natural healing strategies to help you recover from a concussion and reduce the risk of long-term health consequences.

What Is a Concussion

The word concussion comes from the Latin word “to shake violently.”  A concussion is a mild form of traumatic brain injury (TBI). It is normally caused by a bump, jolt, or blow to the head or experiencing a hit to the body that causes rapid back and forth head and brain movement, for example during a car accident.

Such sudden movement makes your brain to bounce around or twist inside your skull. This may lead to chemical changes in your brain and even stretch or damage your brain cells (3, 4, 5, 6).

Concussions are nothing to take lightly. They are called a mild brain injury for a reason. Though they are usually not life-threatening, they can have serious effects, especially when not taken seriously and treated right away (3, 4, 5, 6).

Concussions are in-particularly dangerous in children and adolescents since their brains are still developing. High school athletes are at a greater risk of experiencing serious effects of concussions than college students. College students are at a higher risk than professional athletes with developed, adult brains. The same is true for non-athletes experiencing concussions as well (4, 5).

Major Concussion Symptoms

Major symptoms of concussions usually become apparent soon after the injury. Some symptoms, however, may not show up for a few hours or even days. In the first few minutes or first hour, you may only feel a bit confused, and not notice other symptoms. It is important to monitor symptoms to understand the seriousness of the injury.

Major symptoms of concussions may include:

• Headaches or pressure on the head
• Migraines
• Nausea or vomiting
• Dizziness
• Blurry vision
• Balance problems or clumsiness
• Sensitivity to light
• Sensitivity to noise
• Loss of smell or taste
• Feeling foggy, groggy, hazy, or sluggish
• Concentration problems
• Memory problems
• Just not feeling ‘right’
• Being unable to recall events prior to or after the accident or injury
• Appearing to be stunned or dazed
• Losing consciousness
• Mood changes
• Behavior changes
• Personality changes

Long-Term Problems 

When they are addressed and treated right away, these major symptoms of concussions can resolve within a few weeks or months. However, when they are not addressed properly early on, they may lead to long-term issues. 

About 20 percent of people with concussions experience post-concussion syndrome, where they have post-concussion symptoms for over 6-week. Some of these people may experience symptoms longer or experience consequent health problems later in life as a result. Even if you feel back to or close to normal, you may have abnormal brain activity for years after your concussion resulting in compromised motor pathways and significant attention problems. Research has shown that older athletes who have suffered a concussion 30 years ago are more likely to suffer from Parkinson’s-like symptoms (7, 8).

Long-term problems that you may experience from concussions may include (9):

• Migraines and headaches
• Light sensitivity and photophobia
• Dizziness or vertigo
• Depression or other mental health issues
• Cognitive Traumatic Encephalopathy (CTE) (a degenerative brain disease)
• Alzheimer’s disease
• Parkinson’s disease

You want to make sure that you treat a concussion right away to prevent post-concussion syndrome and long-term health issues and regain your health as quickly as possible. Let’s learn about a natural concussion protocol I recommend.

Healing From a Concussion 

The first two weeks after your injury are critical. It is incredibly important that you take care of your body and follow my natural concussion protocol.

Reduce Stress and Maximize Sleep  

Reducing stress and maximizing sleep are important for your health even under normal circumstances. However, after a concussion, it is extremely important that you allow your body to rest and repair.

Avoid stress as much as possible. Surround yourself with positive people and uplifting activities. Meditation, journaling, relaxation tapes, time in nature, and breathwork are incredibly beneficial for lowering stress and relaxing your body and mind. Arts and crafts, listening to calming music, and laughter are just as beneficial.

Spending quality time with loved ones is calming and comforting. Create a stress-free sanctuary in your healing space. If you are having an emotionally difficult time, speaking with a counselor, coach, pastor, or good friend is a good way for releasing trauma or negative emotions, feeling understood and loved, and finding your calm.

Sleep is the time for rest and repair. It is essential for stress reduction and overall healing. Make sure to get at least 9 to 10 hours of sleep each night. Your bedroom should be a calming and stress-free zone. Avoid electronics close to bedtime, and engage in calming activities, such as reading, crossword puzzles, journaling, loving conversations, and drinking herbal tea. Welcome this opportunity of rest and relaxation. Rest plenty throughout the day as needed. 

Do a 3- to 5-Day Fast 

Research has shown that fasting may have neuroprotective benefits after a concussion. Fasting stimulates the autophagy process, where the body breaks down damaged and old cells and recycles them for energy. It allows space for new, healthy cells.

Fasting may reduce inflammation and help cellular regeneration. This is why I recommend a 3- to 5-day fast after your concussion. To learn more about fasting, read this article (10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16).  

To be on the safe side, I recommend that you take either a pure C8 MCT oil or an exogenous ketone blend to make sure you have adequate ketones to fuel the brain.  When you have a major trauma, it increases stress hormones which can reduce endogenous ketone production.  For optimal healing of the brain it is really important to have higher levels of ketones. 

I recommend using the Keto Brain during your fast to prevent hypoglycemia and get ketones in the brain.  Keto Brain is a pure C8 MCT oil that supports your cognition, energy levels, gut health, and immune system.

Light Movement

After the initial first one or two days, it is usually beneficial to slowly return to some activities. Begin with light activities. I recommend that you start with light daily walks, preferably in nature, for the first two weeks.

Avoid weight lifting and anything strenuous at this point. Start slowly, with a 5- to 10-minute walk, and increase it gradually. Pay attention to your symptoms and body’s messages, and work together with your health practitioner who can guide your return to moderate physical activity and if applicable, to your sport, safely and gradually (17).

Reduce EMF Stress and Ground Your Body Daily

EMF exposure can be dangerous to your body and may lead to headaches, migraines, fatigue, insomnia, irritability, mood issues, and other health problems. During your concussion protocol, it is particularly important that you reduce your EMF exposure.

Follow these tips to reduce EMF exposure:

• Keep your phone, other devices, and appliances off or on airplane mode as much as possible. Limit your WiFI use and turn off your WiFi router at night
• Avoid wireless and Bluetooth connections as much as possible.
• Keep your electronics as far as from you as possible when you are not using them.
• Keep your bedroom a cell phone and technology-free zone.
• Sleep away from any circuit breakers and large appliances that have to run overnight.
• Use dirty electricity filers, such as GreenWave filters, to filer out dirty electricity.

Try some grounding exercises. They can help to ground your body and reduce stress, fatigue, headaches, and insomnia.

Here is how you can practice grounding:

• Take off your shoes whenever possible.
• Sit down barefoot outside with your feet on touching the grass or soil.
• Walk barefoot on grass, sand, or soil. Moist ground or grass serves as the perfect electrical conductor.
• Let your body touch the Earth. Soak your feet or immerse your body in natural waters, such as lakes, oceans, and streams. Lay down on the grass or ground.
• Sit on a tree, lean on a tree trunk, or hug a tree to share some of its natural electricity.
• Keep plants around your house as well as they will emit a healthy EMF.

To learn more about the dangers of EMF exposure and what to do about it, I recommend this article. To learn more about grounding, read this article.

Sun Exposure and Sunbathing

The sun is incredibly important for your health. Sunshine can be uplifting for your mood and sunbathing can be relaxing. More importantly, sunshine helps to provide your body with plenty of vitamin D, which is important for your brain health, gut health, bones, lungs, and immune system. It is also important that you are careful and protect yourself from UV-rays.

Avoid going out to the sun mid-day, especially for too long. Wear sun-protective gear if you are spending to much time on the sun. A short walk in nature or sunbathing a little, however, may be very beneficial to your health.

Epsom Salt Baths

Taking Epsom salt baths is not only relaxation, but it’s also incredibly beneficial for your health. They have been used for hundreds of years for their various health benefits.

They are incredibly detoxifying, calm your nervous system, support cellular energy, allow muscle relaxation, offer pain relief, and support your sleep. I recommend one Epsom salt a day for the initial two weeks after your concussion. To learn more about the benefits of Epsom salts, read this article.

Use Magnesium 

Magnesium is an incredibly important mineral for your mind and body. It can help to relax your body, calm your mind, and help your sleep. Unfortunately, due to our deficient soils, it is difficult to meet your magnesium requirements from food alone.

I recommend Brain Calm Magnesium, that is designed specifically to calm your blood sugar, relax your muscles, balance your blood sugar, improve your sleep, and protect your brain.

Concussion Protocol During Fast

Inflam Defense™ is a powerful combination of anti-inflammatory herbs, such as curcumin, boswellia, ginger, and rosemary extract as well as nutrients from quercetin and rutin, and proteolytic enzymes. I love Inflam Defense™ because it can help downregulate the inflammatory process allowing deep repair. It can help your recovery from a concussion. Take five capsules a day three times daily for two weeks during and after your fast.

Along with Inflam Defense™, take 2 to 6 tablespoons of Keto Brain daily spread out throughout the day. It supports your cognition, energy levels, gut health, and immune system, and can truly support your healing process.

Post-Fast Concussion Protocol

What you eat and what you do after your fast is incredibly important. Follow the following tips of your post-fast protocol for concussion recovery.

Anti-Inflammatory Diet 

Experiencing an event that results in a concussion is traumatic to your body and results in inflammation. While acute inflammation is essential for healing, chronic inflammation can lead to long-term health issues. It is important to prevent chronic inflammation and long-term effects of concussions with the help of an anti-inflammatory diet. 

Avoid refined sugars, refined oils, unhealthy fats, processed foods, junk foods, artificial ingredients, and toxins. Eat plenty of nutrient-dense, anti-inflammatory foods. Leafy greens, such as kale and spinach, non-starchy vegetables, such as cucumber and celery, herbs and spices, such as turmeric and rosemary, low-glycemic index fruits, such as berries and lemon are your good friends on an inflammatory diet.

Eating plenty of healthy fats, such as avocados, organic butter and ghee, and coconut oil is incredibly important for your brain health and concussion recovery. Don’t forget about clean protein, such as organic grass-fed beef, pasture-raised poultry, wild-caught fish, wild game, and free-range eggs, nuts and seeds for fiber, and fermented foods, such as sauerkraut, and kefir for gut health. To learn more about how to eat an anti-inflammatory diet, read this article.

Keto Brain

I recommend that you continue taking Keto Brain. It is a pure C8 MCT oil that supports your cognition, energy levels, gut health, and immune system. It is a fantastic supplement that supports an anti-inflammatory diet. Take 2 to 6 tablespoons daily using 1 to 3 tablespoons with each meal. 

Inflam Defense

Inflam Defense™ is a powerful combination of anti-inflammatory herbs that can downregulate the inflammatory process and help your recovery from a concussion. Continue taking it even after your fast to support your recovery and overall health. Take five capsules a day three times daily for two weeks during and after your fast.

Pro Omega CRP

I recommend that you take 5 capsules of Pro Omega CRP daily with meals for one month starting after your fast. It is a potent EPA/DHA supplement with anti-inflammatory curcumin and bioavailable L-glutamine. It has an anti-inflammatory impact, supports cellular healing, optimizes gene expression, supports your gut health, and reduces oxidative stress.

Additional Concussion Healing Options

Besides my initial and post-fast concussion protocol, there are additional concussion healing options that may be helpful. I recommend trying CBD oil and hyperbaric oxygen therapy.

CBD Oil

CBD oil, a non-psychoactive cannabinoid found in cannabis with many health benefits. CBD oil may help to calm your mind and body and help you sleep better. To learn more about the benefits of CBD oil, I recommend reading this article.

If you are looking for a quality CBD oil to use post-concussion, I recommend Rooted Apothecary. They offer high-quality CBD oil supplements, including capsules, tinctures, rollers, and body butter to ensure that you find the best support you are looking for. Use the coupon code ‘DrJockers’ you can get a 10% discount on your product purchases (18, 19, 20, 21, 22).

Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy 

Hyperbaric oxygen therapy is a form of therapy that exposes your body to pure 100% oxygen at a higher than normal pressure. It involves breathing in pure oxygen in a pressurized room or tube. It has been used for concussions, decompression sickness in scuba diving, wound healing, and other issues.

Exposure to pure oxygen to be carried throughout your body in your blood, helps to fight bacteria, promote stem cell growth, and enhance healing (23, 24, 25).  Here is an article where you can learn more about hyperbaric oxygen therapy.  

Final Thoughts

A concussion is a mild form of traumatic brain injury caused by a bump, jolt, or blow, or other accident involving the head. Major symptoms of concussions include headaches, dizziness, nausea, vomiting, and memory problems. Concussions cannot be ignored and have to be taken seriously.

When not addressed properly early on, concussions can have serious long-term health consequences, including migraines, vertigo, and Parkinson’s disease. Follow my concussion protocol to help your body recover and regain health after a concussion.

Sources in This Article Include:

1. TBI: Get the Facts. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Link Here

2. Gessel, LM, Fields, SK, Collins, CL, Dick, RW, Comstock, RD. Concussions among United States high school and collegiate athletes. J Athl Train. 2007 Oct-Dec; 42(4): 495–503. PMID: 18174937

3. What is a concussion? Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Link Here

4. Concussion (traumatic brain injury). WebMD. Link Here

5. What is concussion? Concussion Legacy Foundation. Link Here

6. Concussions. Cleaveland Clinic. Link Here

7. Nordquist, J. Concussions Cause Long-Term Effects Lasting Decades. Medical News Today. Link Here

8. Concussions: How they can affect you then, now, and later. University of Utah. Link Here

9. Long term effects of post-concussion syndrome. TheraSpecs. Link Here

10. Davis, LM, Pauly, JR, Readnower, RD, Rho, JM, Sullivan, PG. Fasting is neuroprotective following traumatic brain injury. J Neurosci Res. 2008 Jun;86(8):1812-22. PMID: 18241053 

11. Faris MA, Kacimi S, Al-Kurd RA, Fararjeh MA, Bustanji YK, Mohammad MK, Sale ML. Intermittent fasting during Ramadan attenuates proinflammatory cytokines and immune cells in healthy subjects. Nutr Res. 2012 Dec;32(12):947-55. PMID: 23244540

12. Vasconcelos AR, Yshii LM, Viel TA, et al. Intermittent fasting attenuates lipopolysaccharide-induced neuroinflammation and memory impairment. Journal of Neuroinflammation. 2-14;11:85

113. Aksungar FB, Topkaya AE, Akyildiz M. Interleukin-6, C-reactive protein and biochemical parameters during prolonged intermittent fasting. Ann Nutr Metab. PMID: 17374948

4. Hirao Kohno, Katsuyasu Kouda, Hiroyasu Ishihara, Nobuhiro Nishio,Yutaka Sasaki, Harunobu Nakamura, Masayuki Iki, Yoshiaki Sonoda. Intermittent Fasting Ameliorates Delayed-Type Hypersensitivity in NC/Nga Mice. Food and Nutrition Sciences2011, 2, 287-293 Published Online June 2011 Copyright © 2011 SciRes. Link Here

15. Alirezaei M, Kemball CC, Flynn CT, Wood MR, Whitton JL, Kiosses WB. Short-term fasting induces profound neuronal autophagy. Autophagy. 2010;6(6):702-710.

16. Anderson JL, Carlquist JF, Roberts WL, Horne BD, May HT, Schwarz EL, Pasquali M, Nielson R, Kushnir MM, Rockwood AL, Bair TL, Muhlestein JB; Intermountain Heart Collaborative Study Group.. Asymmetric dimethylarginine, cortisol/cortisone ratio, and C-peptide: markers for diabetes and cardiovascular risk? Am Heart J. 2007 Jan;153(1):67-73. PMID: 17174641

17. Managing return to activities. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Link Here

18. Chagas, MH, Eckeli, AL, Zuardi, AW, Pena-Pereira, MA, Sobreira-Neto, MA, Sobreira, ET, Camilo, MR, Bergamaschi, MM, Schenck, CH, Hallak, JE, Tumas, V, Crippa, JA. Cannabidiol can improve complex sleep-related behaviours associated with rapid eye movement sleep behaviour disorder in Parkinson’s disease patients: a case series. J Clin Pharm Ther. 2014 Oct;39(5):564-6. PMID: 24845114

19. Cartwright, C, Gibson, K, Read, J, Cowan, O, Dehar, T. Long-term antidepressant use: patient perspectives of benefits and adverse effects. Patient Prefer Adherence. 2016; 10: 1401–1407. PMID: 27528803

20. Shannon, S, Opila-Lehman, J. Effectiveness of cannabidiol oil for pediatric anxiety and insomnia as part of posttraumatic stress disorder: A case report. Perm J. 2016 Fall; 20(4): 16-005. PMID: 27768570

21. Zanelati, TV, Biojone, C, Moreira, FA, Guimaraes, FS, Joca, SRL. Antidepressant-like effects of cannabidiol in mice: possible involvement of 5-HT1A receptors. Br J Pharmacol. 2010 Jan; 159(1): 122–128. PMID: 20002102

22. Understanding CBD: The calming and sleep promoting benefits of cannabidiol. The Sleep Doctor. Link Here

23. Hyperbaric oxygen therapy for wound healing. John Hopkins. Link Here

24. Hyerbaric oxygen therapy. Mayo Clinic. Link Here

25. Hu, Q, Manaenko, A, Guo, Z, Huang, L, Tang, J, Zhang, JH. Hyperbaric oxygen therapy for post concussion symptoms: issues may affect the results. Med Gas Res. 2015; 5: 10. PMID: 26306183