Traumatic Brain Injury and Post Concussion Syndrome For traumatic brain injury (TBI) and post concussion syndrome (PCS).


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Old 12-07-2020, 11:29 PM #1
Acrobat Acrobat is offline
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Default Tbi pcs ... Hope

There is hope.
I believe you can heal and that post concussion syndrome can be overcome! The beginning rest period 3 days to 3 weeks+ along w neuro evaluation and vestibular PT are important as well as holistic treatments. The holistic approaches I recently began are actually at core of my recovery. With traditional medicine some recover within a few weeks to months. But others can suffer for years with debilitating headaches, mental fatigue, difficulty processing information (listening/reading/writing) and sensory overload. I know the pain and awful dispair. For about 3 years I was around 10-20% functionality, with everything. I was unable to work, exercise, be around people, and even just thinking was painful. Significant emotional swings. The personal and family challenges were at critical levels. But I'm now functioning mostly between 70-90% and continue to progress. I feel you can recover as well. The nightmare black hole for patients of an invisible affliction I believe can be managed and overcome.

Yes everyone has a different experience and recovery can take time. But I would like to share my recovery experience and hope it makes a positive impact for you or someone you love. Please take a breath and know that in time I believe there is hope. For me and for many others I believe this awful PCS journey is actually a powerful way or sign that our intelligent bodies are calling out to us. To listen, to slow down and see that there might be something beautiful within this darkness that is being missed.
Now I'm not a very good writter but my intention is to begin sharing with you things that helped me. This first note is my chronological road with recovery catalysts (which I plan on adding to) and some personal background. This can be an up and down process for sure but I will share with you some experiences that can hopefully be helpful along your journey.

Like me many with PCS symptoms have had the run around from all types of doctors, medications, supplements, therapies and eye rolls. So let's begin by thinking outside the box of traditional medicine. Pause for a moment (regardless of religion and beliefs). What makes our organs function and bodies move? What energy souce keeps the earth spinning and the stars shinning? There is an energy source that is all around us. This energy spark is within us all. Always remember patience, loving yourself, know that you did nothing wrong, trust that your body has the ability to heal itself, become comfortable looking within and slowly letting go of fear, guilt and negative past experiences/emotional blockages. Quieting your mind so you can listen to your true consciousness.

First Catalysts for recovery

1) Meditation. 30 -60min daily and several times a day if possible. I was new to this but introduced to the "headspace" app. This app is perfect for teaching concepts, encouraging and gently guiding beginners. Overtime you begin to quiet the mind chatter and observe that you are more than your thoughts. Over the course of a few weeks I found this to be extremely helpful in a number of areas such as bringing down powerful headaches, reducing anxiety and recovering from mental fatigue. Gradually I began expanding my consciousness above the mind and tapping into my true essence. The core energy that gives life to our mind and body.
More to be added...


2) Watch the documentary "Heal" 2017 available on many platforms like Netflix. Natural and alternative healing was foreign to me. It took me and my wife hitting rock bottom before exploring options other than conventional medicine. But being open to the unknown is so important. This documentary can begin to open your perspective and the doorway to a greater understanding of the self and healing. More to be added....

3) Physical therapy
Functional neurological chiropractor/ Suboccipital muscle message/trapezius muscle trigger point massage and stretches/neck stretches/Craniosacral therapy (certified)
These areas were helpful in managing symptoms.
A lacrosse ball. Brand I use is velocity. Great for rolling around neck. Laying on your back placing behind upper shoulders and traps. Can improve circulation and very helpful w headaches
More to be added...

4) Nutrition / hydration / exercise
Maintaining a healthy and balanced daily nutrition schedule. I was tested several times and never diagnosed for blood sugar conditions. But I found that symptoms can spike if there were gaps between meals, lack of sugar and dehydration. I found healthy snacks every couple hours as well as hydrating (50+ oz water daily). I found apples, dried mango slices, nuts and raisins to be very helpful as well as complete meals every 4-5 hours.
Exercise
Daily exercise and stretching. Doesn't have to be extreme. I started w light walking. Then biking and swimming. Now I've been alternating days w cardio, light strength training and a fun flexibility/stretch routine.
More to be added...


Background
I am in wealth management in the northeast US w my wife and two kids. I enjoy coaching and playing basketball and am an extrovert. I've had my share of ups and downs in life but my world completely stopped from November 2016 to end of 2019. I was in the PCS storm and basically was in a walking comma after falling off a porch and hitting my head on a driveway. Coaching kids basketball teams, working, volunteering, going to stores and restaurants, family and friend's functions were no more. Just to painful to experience and to mentally process.
I was seen by the best doctors and attended highly regarded PCS programs and clinics. I was seen by 7 neurologists including Penn medicine in Philadelphia, Columbia NYC, a John's Hopkins neuro ophthalmologist, a Harvard neurologist and an excellent neuromuscular and cardiovascular doctor in Canada. I had about 10 different types of medications, cognitive behavioral therapy, neuro feedback and a number of MRIs.
The game changer in my recovery began at the start of 2020. My wife (a senior scientist in the pharmaceutical industry) began exploring holistic energy healing since we had tried everything else. It was a gradual process but w the unique combination of her strong scientific background and my faith we found a sound healing methodology.
More to be added...
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Old 12-08-2020, 02:44 AM #2
Mark in Idaho Mark in Idaho is offline
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Glad to hear you found something that worked for you. It looks like you were able to access diagnostics, treatments, and therapies that most cannot access because of cost and insurance restrictions.

Every tbi/PCS case is different. What worked for you might be a complete failure for others.

You do appear to have a common issue that many never resolve and that is upper cervical injury and instability. It took me years to regain upper cervical stability. Few have the support, specialists, and personal discipline to effect improvements.
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Old 12-20-2020, 12:26 AM #3
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Thank you Mark
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Old 12-20-2020, 12:29 AM #4
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Default Hope...

Continue...
CBT is very helpful. Also you can look into concussion
Cognitive therapy. Therapy can be so helpful in recovery and coping. New York-Presbyterian Hospital/Weill Cornell Medical Center site describes this type of treatment philosophy.

I explored just about everything I could. I found treatments that helped coping and managing but I kept looking for answers for healing and ultimately found that the answers were not out "there" but actually "within". Searching inside. Finding that beautiful place of love within that makes you, you. Remembering who you are. Gradually shining your love throughout and filling the pain w love. Turning the darkness into light.
It took me some time to get it but meditation brings the awareness and internal energetic balance that will help in this healing process.

The book "Hands of light" by a NASA physicist Barbara Brennan is a tremendous guide for healing. A definite game changer for me.

I began viewing the terrible PCS symptoms as a natural part of the healing process. I feel that it's similar to the pain after a surgery or the recovery of a broken bone except w a TBI the sophisticated systems of the body are recalibrating and producing pain, mental fatigue and mental processing challenges. All the senses are going through a type of rebooting process. It can seem overwhelming and hard to understand because it's unlike any other condition. But take comfort in knowing the body is healing and this delicate process requires patience, energetic balance and love.
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Old 12-20-2020, 09:04 PM #5
Mark in Idaho Mark in Idaho is offline
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Barbara Brennan is a bit out there.....

But,if you have no core belief system that grounds you, ..........

What is Concussion Cognitive Therapy?

I hear Concussion Clinics offer Cognitive Therapy but it has never been explained as anything besides learning work-arounds and how to moderate activities and such.
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Old 01-09-2021, 01:18 AM #6
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Continue...

Thank you for your post and question Mark. I was skeptical about energy healing at first but as I learned more about it I became more open to it. And as I became more open to it the more I began to heal. Gradually I started feeling better and my PCS symptoms became manageable. I was improving far beyond any level achieved with the best neurologists and PCS programs around. I went from being unable to read, write, work etc to (currently) 70-90 %. I'm back to work and back to life. I learned that my lingering PCS symptoms were a result of energetic imbalances. Similar to balancing our energy through accupuncture I found that there are exercises to gradually help correct and rebalance our vital energetic flow. This Source of energy (when in balance) is necessary to healing and maintaining our physical health.

I have a strong Christian background and through learning more about spiritual energy healing my Christianity has become richer and even stronger. I am grounded with a greater understanding of our interconnected fabric of life. And I am hopeful that my experience may help others heal.

Cognitive concussion therepy
I traveled 3hrs via 4 trains (each way) to attend a program with a Harvard MD PhD who left Johns Hopkins to start a boutique practice. Program centered on cognitive development through various puzzles and brain exercises followed by neurofeedback.
Another program is the New York-Presbyterian Hospital/Weill Cornell Medical Center. The site describes their program.

But in my case I searched everywhere and came full circle. I used the "hands of light" book as a workbook for recovery and actually began healing. I plan on continuing to increase my understanding and am hopeful that I may offer helpful guidance to others, especially those suffering from significantly challenging PCS symptoms.

"And though the Lord gives you The bread of adversity and the water of affliction, Yet your teachers will not be moved into a corner anymore, But your eyes shall see your teachers. Your ears shall hear a word behind you, saying, “This is the way, walk in it,”
Whenever you turn to the right
Or whenever you turn to the left." Isaiah 30: 20-21
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Old 01-10-2021, 02:38 AM #7
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I'd sure like to see some studies that show these protocols work that also explain what the therapies are. I have seen many 'therapies' and protocols that utilize neuroplasticity that are nothing more that putting new names to old neuro-rehab protocols.

Often, it appears the value is the consistency of getting the patient out of their anxious mental blocks about moving forward. Neuroplasticity is not something that can be achieved in 10 or 20 hours of therapy over 2 months or so.

To me, a lot of these protocols that I have seen explained are just hand holding with some psychotherapy to get the patient out of their angst ridden behaviors.

Teaching a patient that there are other ways to accomplish a task than the old ways that are habitual is a big benefit.

Show me where I am wrong. Give me details of the therapies that help.
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Old 01-25-2021, 12:35 PM #8
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Are you able to provide more info about your experience with neuro chiropractor/functional neurology?
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Old 01-26-2021, 12:38 AM #9
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Thank you for your questions...

I had a positive experience w a functional chiropractic neurologist and continue treatment about once a month. Everyone is different but his treatment plan for me centers around gradually strengthening and reconnecting brain activity w various muscle and skeletal systems throughout the body.
Assesses eye function, balance, reflexes. A headache connection for me is my C 2. Neck C 2 Manipulation and traction helps alleviate symptoms. This area has important nerve connections that can be impacted by head injuries and whiplash.

I am hopeful that my many experiences will benefit others. I took to the traditional hard medical treatments and research. And there are lifetimes of research out there by doctors and Universities on just about every "treatable" condition. For untreatable conditions in our western medical culture the go-to is usually labeling with anxiety or depression. That for some might more accurately be a "misunderstood condition" that then leads one to higher than normal levels of stress and anxiety. Where if understood properly would lead to more balanced levels.

In the beginning I disregard posts that talked about accupuncture, meditation, tai chi, spending time connecting with the earth/ground. The more eastern approaches.
So I ended up taking a long road and found healing back at the beginning. I found that these areas point to our individual life force. Our divine spark. My wife a true scientist came across the book "Hands of light" by Barbara Brennan. Gradually learning a new approach to healing and with some PT and a sprinkle of functional neuro chiropractic treatments I could feel my energetic balance begin to fall into place and symptoms improving more than ever before.

John 14:12: ""Truly I tell you, the one who believes in me will also do the works that I do. And he will do even greater works than these"
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Old 01-26-2021, 11:11 PM #10
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What do you do to facilitate C-2 stabilization? It took me a couple years of discipline to get C-1, C-2 stabilized.
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