Is jumping enough to bring back symptoms?
 

Hi everyone,

For context, I've had PCS for about 2 1/2 years now. My last setback was back in August, and up until yesterday I was feeling as good as I've ever felt since my concussions.

Yesterday I was with my cousin and his friend at the park where they were playing basketball. I didn't want to play (ironically, it's because I was afraid the ball would hit my head), but they challenged me to see if I could touch the rim, and I figured that that wouldn't bother me so I went ahead and tried a few times (maybe 4 or 5, I don't really remember). I felt really tired after that which made me kind of worried, but I certainly didn't hit my head on anything, so I figured I'd be fine in the morning.

However, I woke up this morning with a very strong headache and actually threw up about 30 minutes after I awoke. I've been extremely tired and off balance all day, and the headache has been getting worse.

Is it possible that I caused a setback from jumping? I don't really understand how I could have done that... my vertical is pretty low, so my head was rising and falling maybe two feet, which is like what you do getting in and out of a chair. Yet I don't think my symptoms are anxiety, because I was expecting to feel fine in the morning, and the symptoms are really strong.

Any thoughts?

Unless you have a neck injury that can cause these symptoms, no this jumping did not cause your symptoms from a physical trauma. But, since you were worried yesterday, you did have a day of anxiety and that anxiety can easily play a part in your sleep quality and your anxiety today.

btw, The risk playing basketball is greater from hitting heads with another player that it would be from getting hit by the ball.

But, if you have a neck issue, sleeping in a bad posture could cause the headache.

Hi Mark,

Thanks for the response. How would I know if I have a neck injury? I've never been evaluated for one, but it's certainly possible that I do, especially because my standing posture isn't that great.

Also, what is the best posture to sleep in for good recovery?

Thanks for your help

Standing posture is not the issue. Neck stability is. When you sleep, your neck muscles do not support your neck vertebra and can cause muscle spasms and headaches it your head and neck are not straight.

The injury is what I call a subtle neck injury. It does not show on X-rays except when taken by a very specialized person and technique.

The treatment is to sleep with your neck straight is all directions.

But, if you were fine until yesterday and this morning, just be careful with your sleeping posture for a week or so. And, don't do dumb things your friends challenge you to do until you have slowly strengthened your body.

If that activity is not something you normally and did not loosen up prior, being an active person I would say it is quite possible you stretched and or strained some muscles rarely used that way.

Just a guess from experience.

Bud