A concussion is a mild traumatic brain injury. The CDC explains that it can follow a bump, blow, or jolt to the head or a hit to the body that causes the head and brain to move rapidly back and forth. A direct head strike and loss of consciousness are not required in every case. Because headache, dizziness, concentration changes, nausea, balance problems, and other symptoms can have more than one cause, this office does not diagnose a concussion from the crash story alone. CDC: About Mild TBI and Concussion
Our role is narrower. We can record the history and symptoms, screen for emergency and medical referral needs, and evaluate appropriate neck-related musculoskeletal findings within chiropractic scope. Suspected concussion or brain injury belongs with an appropriate medical provider for diagnosis and management.
A concussion can occur without a direct head strike, but symptoms still require medical context.
Using the Rivermead Post-Concussion Symptoms Questionnaire, a published, validated symptom checklist, we record what you are experiencing and how strongly. This is a symptom screen, not a diagnosis.
If your symptoms warrant it, we refer you to a physician for a medical evaluation and diagnosis.
If the physician diagnoses a concussion or a mild traumatic brain injury, we provide supportive care within our scope, and we keep clear records throughout.
Concussion symptoms after a crash can show up right away or over the next few days. You can have them without ever losing consciousness. If you notice any of the CDC's concussion danger signs, including a headache that keeps getting worse or increasing confusion, that's an emergency room visit right away. For anything less urgent, get screened.
The Rivermead Post-Concussion Symptoms Questionnaire is a published self-report questionnaire for tracking symptoms reported after head injury. The original 1995 study reported high test-retest and inter-rater reliability for the total symptom score. Later psychometric research also identified limitations in treating all 16 items as one single underlying construct. That nuance matters: a symptom questionnaire can organize what a patient reports, but it is not a brain scan, it is not specific to one diagnosis, and it does not replace medical evaluation.
If the clinic uses the questionnaire, it should be described as a symptom-tracking tool, not as proof that a concussion exists or that symptoms came from a particular crash.
The CDC notes that some mild TBI or concussion symptoms may appear right away while others may show up hours or days later. That does not create a 24-hour or 72-hour chiropractic rule. It means patients should pay attention to new or worsening changes and use the appropriate level of medical care for the symptoms they actually have. Emergency danger signs need emergency care.
ACR/RSNA patient guidance says some mild acute head injuries do not require imaging when clinical assessment tools do not indicate it. When acute head imaging is needed, CT without contrast is usually the first imaging test. MRI can become appropriate in selected situations, including certain persistent, subacute, chronic, or neurological questions. The imaging decision belongs with the clinician evaluating the head injury.
RadiologyInfo / ACR-RSNA: Head Trauma
That is another reason this clinic should not present a concussion screen as a diagnosis. Symptoms, medical evaluation, and the clinical question determine whether imaging or other testing is appropriate.
A concussion is a form of mild traumatic brain injury. Traumatic brain injury covers a wide range of severity, from mild to severe. Because that range is so wide, a physician evaluation is the right way to understand what you are actually dealing with, rather than guessing from symptoms alone. Our role is to recognize the symptoms early, document them, and get you to the right physician fast.
This page is general information, not medical or legal advice. A diagnosis is made by a licensed physician.
Related reading: accident injury chiropractor in Zanesville, headaches after a car accident, neck pain after a car accident, when to choose the ER instead of a chiropractor, and the blog post Why car accident pain shows up days later. Post-concussion headaches often blend into the same patterns covered in our general headache care page, which is worth reading if your headaches have lingered past the acute window.
Straight answers about care, scheduling, payment, and what to expect.
A concussion can follow a bump, blow, or jolt to the head or a hit to the body that causes the head and brain to move rapidly back and forth. A direct blow to the head and loss of consciousness are not required in every case. Suspected concussion needs appropriate medical evaluation.
A concussion is a mild traumatic brain injury. Traumatic brain injury covers a range of severity from mild to severe. Because that range is wide, a physician evaluation is the right way to understand what you are dealing with.
No. We screen and document your symptoms and refer you to a physician for evaluation and diagnosis. If the physician diagnoses a concussion or a mild traumatic brain injury, we provide supportive care within our scope as part of your care team.
If concussion is suspected, follow appropriate medical guidance. Emergency danger signs need emergency care.
Yes. Symptoms can appear or get worse in the days after a crash, and some people develop post-concussion symptoms that linger. That is why we screen early and track your symptoms over time.
It is a published, validated, self-reported questionnaire used to track concussion-related symptoms and how they change over time. It is a symptom screen, not a diagnostic test.
If your symptoms suggest something beyond our scope, we refer you promptly to the appropriate medical provider. Screening and referring quickly is part of how we keep your care safe.
Related injuries we treat: headaches after a car accident and neck pain. We see accident patients from Zanesville, Cambridge, Frazeysburg, and Norwich. Call for current appointment availability.
New to these terms? See our personal injury glossary.
Tell us what is bothering you. We will help you schedule the right kind of evaluation and explain what to expect.
