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Old 12-03-2013, 10:50 PM
sleepybo19 sleepybo19 is offline
Junior Member
 
Join Date: Nov 2013
Posts: 31
10 yr Member
sleepybo19 sleepybo19 is offline
Junior Member
 
Join Date: Nov 2013
Posts: 31
10 yr Member
Default Is rest really the best advice?

I was diagnosed with post concussion syndrome a little over a month ago. Still struggling with handling stress, cognitive problems, etc... I emailed my neuro, and she said it was fine to do some light jogging. On this forum, I see many recommendations to rest. However, advocating rest assumes that there's something in the brain that still needs to heal. If so, what is it that is healing? It seems as though no one knows what causes post concussion syndrome. I've read that maybe it's related to blood flow, or maybe it has to do with some sort of chemical rearrangement, but there's no definitive answer. However, I don't see how rest would help in either of those cases.

On the NCAA site, it says, "Post-concussion syndrome is often mismanaged as prolonged concussion in that athletes are advised to continue both physical and cognitive rest. Whereas physical and cognitive rest are part of the mainstay of initial concussion management, they can help to perpetuate post-concussion syndrome manifestations because the athlete can become increasingly isolated or despondent with ongoing symptoms and no clear management plan. "

I know that it's important to treat a concussion with rest initially, but post concussion is NOT a concussion. It's... I don't know what exactly, and no one seems to know. So is physical and cognitive rest really the best approach?
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