Five Myths About Concussion

If you didn’t hit your head, you don’t have a concussion.

This is a common myth. Any time the brain is accelerated quickly with enough force, you can get a concussion. This can include blows to the head, face, neck, and even the rest of your body. Events like hard tackles, whiplash in car wrecks, and even getting caught in an explosion can all lead to a concussion.

If you get a concussion, you need to get an MRI.

Not true!

…Well, maybe true. It depends.

MRI can be helpful to rule out more serious injuries affecting your brain. This is important when there is reason to suspect things like a brain bleed or a skull fracture. However, MRI scans will not show if you have a concussion. If you aren’t sure whether you sustained a concussion, a qualified rehab professional is your best bet at diagnosing it.

Concussions only affect your head.

Definitely not!

The brain is the control center for the entire body. As such, concussions can affect far more than just the brain itself. Concussions can come with nausea, balance issues, neck pain, difficulty handling your emotions, and trouble sleeping. That’s why it’s important to work with someone who really understands concussions and how they affect you.

Once your symptoms go away, your concussion has healed.

This is by far one of the biggest concussion myths. Symptoms can resolve as early at 5 days following a concussion. However, the injury itself can still be present for up to 30 days after it happened. If you’re an athlete wanting to return to sport, it’s important to make sure you have fully recovered before getting back on the field. Rushing can put you at increased risk for further complications and more serious injury, especially if you sustain another concussion.

Concussions don’t need treatment, just rest.

True…if you’re lucky!

Some studies show that up to 40% of people with concussions will continue to have symptoms over 30 days after their injury. Prolonged concussion symptoms often fly under the radar and can be just as frustrating to deal with as a routine-healing concussion. These symptoms are all treatable though. Finding a knowledgeable provider is crucial for detection and management.

Written by William Smith, DPT - Friend of the Board - Brain Injury Association of Kentucky