Your child got a concussion playing hockey, football, soccer, volleyball, wrestling, or maybe after a hard fall. You took them to the doctor, followed the recommendations, and gave them time to rest. But weeks or even months later, something still doesn’t seem quite right.
Maybe they’re still complaining about headaches. They’re tired more often, struggling to focus in school, forgetting things, or not playing at the level they did before.
For parents, that can raise a frustrating question: if the concussion has improved, why are symptoms still lingering?
What Happens to the Body During a Concussion?
A concussion involves more than simply bumping your head. During the injury, the brain moves inside the skull, which can affect how it functions and communicates with the rest of the body. That may lead to symptoms such as headaches, brain fog, fatigue, dizziness, and difficulty concentrating.
But the head isn’t the only area that can be affected during the impact.
The Neck May Be Injured at the Same Time
Think back to how your child was hurt.
Maybe they were checked into the boards during hockey. Maybe they collided with another player, fell from a bike, or took a hard hit during football.
During that same event, the neck may be forced forward, backward, or sideways. While attention naturally goes to the head after a concussion, the neck may receive less attention. That matters because a neck injury can also affect how your child feels and moves.
How the Neck and Brain Work Together
The muscles, joints, and nerves in the upper neck constantly send information to the brain.
These signals help the brain determine where the head is positioned, how the body is moving, how to maintain balance, and how to coordinate movement.
If the injury also affected the neck, changes in those signals may contribute to symptoms such as headaches, dizziness, difficulty focusing, neck discomfort, or balance problems.
That doesn’t mean every lingering symptom comes from the neck. It does mean the neck may deserve a closer look when symptoms continue.
What Our Doctors Evaluate
When a child visits Green Chiropractic after a concussion, the team doesn’t focus only on the headache itself. An evaluation may include the neck, upper back, posture, movement patterns, balance, and neurologic function.
The goal is to determine whether lingering problems in the neck or upper spine may be contributing to what your child is experiencing.
Pay Attention to the Changes You Notice
Parents often notice the small things first.
Maybe your child’s grades have slipped. They’re sleeping more. They seem frustrated, aren’t performing the same way in sports, or simply don’t seem like themselves. Pay attention to those changes, especially if they continue weeks or months after the original injury.
If symptoms are persistent or worsening, your child’s medical provider should remain involved in their concussion care.
Find Out Whether the Neck May Be Playing a Role
If your child is still dealing with headaches, brain fog, fatigue, dizziness, or trouble concentrating after a concussion, an evaluation of the neck and upper spine may provide another piece of the picture.
Contact Green Chiropractic in Omaha to schedule an evaluation and discuss whether lingering neck-related issues may be contributing to your child’s symptoms.