nb19,

There is a condition called sub-concussive impact. It is a jarring of the brain that may or may not include any actual impact to the brain. I can give myself a concussion by shaking my head. Some brains are much more sensitive to movement that others. Prior concussions can create this extreme sensitivity to quick motion.

There are also neck injuries and strains that can cause concussion symptoms. There are neck muscles that connect to the skull above and behind the ears. These are frequently injured in whiplash like events. This may be your problem. The associated spasms can effect blood flow and other situations. Neck inflammation can effect vertebral blood flow.

Any cause of ischemia (lack of blood flow/oxygen to the brain) can cause concussion like symptoms.

So, to answer your question, No, you do not need to actually hit your head to suffer concussion symptoms.

My best to you.

Hi Mark - thank you for the response and all the info you provide on this board.

Most of my xc ski falls were backwards so I'm sure there was a whiplash component there. But my neck muscles don't feel tight or "spasmy" so I think the impact of hitting the ground and the resultant jarring of my brain might be the culprit.

You mentioned the consequences of shaking your head "no". I had a similar experience after skiing. Girlfriend ask me a question and I turned my head quickly to respond. Immediately felt the same pain in my temple that I felt each time I hit the deck skiing. That's nuts!

I never thought my neck muscles were spasmy either, until my PT was able to loosen them up. The issue is sometimes a matter of balance between right and left.

I would try to feel my neck or shoulder muscles and find nothing out of the ordinary. Then, she would see me and her first touch would put me in agony for a few seconds. Only spasmed muscles respond like that. My chiro who used kinesiology, could do a similar thing. After getting the muscles to relax, he could do wonder to the joints.

Seeing, or more likely feeling is believing. There are many believers on this forum.