Recognizing Concussion Symptoms & Signs of Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI)
Don’t Wait To Get The Care You Need
Concussions and traumatic brain injuries can impact every aspect of your life—cognitive function, physical performance, and emotional well-being. Early recognition and timely, targeted treatment are essential for the best possible recovery and long-term results.
At The Cortex Chiropractic, we take a comprehensive, functional neurology approach to help your brain and body heal. Our care is designed to address the underlying dysfunction and restore optimal performance through personalized therapies, including:
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Cognitive Rehabilitation to improve memory, focus, and problem-solving
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Therapeutic Activities to rebuild balance, coordination, and strength
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Vestibular Therapy to reduce dizziness and vertigo
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Brain Energy Metabolism (Erchonia Low-Level Laser Therapy) to support cellular repair, improve blood flow, and promote neuroplasticity
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Neurorehabilitation to retrain neurological patterns and enhance focus, memory, and emotional regulation
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Low-Force Chiropractic Adjustments to restore proper joint function and support nervous system communication
Our goal is to help you recover fully, regain control of your health, and get back to living your life with confidence.
Concussion Signs and Symptoms
When most people think of a concussion, they often associate it with headaches, dizziness, or pain after a blow to the head. However, concussion and traumatic brain injury (TBI) symptoms can vary widely from person to person, and they do not always appear immediately after the injury. In some cases, symptoms may develop hours or even days later as the brain responds to the trauma.
Common concussion symptoms can affect thinking, balance, vision, mood, and overall brain function.
Physical
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Headache
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Common symptoms
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Dizziness or balance problems
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Common symptoms
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Nausea and vomiting
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Primarily in the immediate hours after the injury
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Blurred vision or other visual disturbances
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Double vision
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Light sensitivity
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Unable to stabilize gaze
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Seeing stars immediately after injury
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Sensitivity to noise
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Sounds seem louder or more annoying
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Fatigue or drowsiness
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Feeling unusually tired
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Ringing in the ears
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Tinnitus
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Loss of consciousness
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Not always present
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Cognitive
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Confusion or feeling "foggy"
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Difficulty thinking clearly
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Being present, but not feeling present
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Difficulty concentrating or focusing
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Trouble paying attention
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Memory problems
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Difficulty remembering events before or after the injury
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Feeling dazed or stunned
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Appearing confused or disoriented
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Slowed reaction time
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Difficulty responding quickly
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Behavioral or Emotional
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Irritability or increased emotional sensitivity
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Feeling easily agitated or upset
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Increased emotional outbursts
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Anxiety or nervousness
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Feeling increasingly worried or uneasy
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Sadness or depression
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Feeling down or hopeless
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Changes in sleep patterns
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Difficulty falling asleep
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Sleeping too much
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Disturbed sleep
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Most Common Causes of a Concussion & Traumatic Brain Injury
Falls: most common cause of TBIs, particularly among young children and older adults. These incidents frequently occur in everyday environments such as the home, on stairways, or in areas where floors may be wet or slippery.
Work Place Accident: Construction sites, warehouses, and industrial settings carry a higher risk of head injuries and TBIs. Hazards may include falling objects, slips and falls, or accidents involving heavy machinery.
Blasts & Explosion: Common among military service members, can lead to TBIs even without a direct blow to the head. The intense pressure wave from an explosion can disrupt normal brain function and cause significant neurological injury.
Car / Motor Vehicle Accidents: including car, motorcycle, bicycle, and pedestrian collisions—are a major cause of head injuries and TBIs. The sudden force of impact or whiplash trauma can disrupt normal brain function.
Sports Injury: Contact specific sports- football, hockey, soccer, and boxing, along with recreational activities like skiing, skateboarding, and cycling, carry a higher risk due to repeated impacts, collisions, and sudden falls.
Violence & Accidental Impacts: including physical altercations, domestic violence, gunshot wounds, falling debris, collisions, or being struck by objects—can all result in head trauma, concussions, and TBIs.