Living with Post-Concussion Syndrome

Anyone living with Post-Concussion Syndrome (PCS) can tell you how difficult and debilitating the symptoms can be and how they struggle with the impact on their lives. Cognitive symptoms like forgetfulness and difficulty concentrating are not the only ones that they need to worry about. Depression and anxiety often follow in the wake of this condition.

The usual recovery period from a concussion is a few weeks to 3 months. However, some individuals continue experiencing symptoms long after that period, even beyond a year. Often there is no correlation to how severe the original head injury was or wasn’t. Living with post-concussion can make working, socializing and even simple day-to-day activities challenging or impossible.

What is Post-Concussion Syndrome (PCS)?

Post-Concussion Syndrome (PCS) is a chronic neurological disorder that can occur after a concussion. It is estimated that about 95% of all people who have suffered from a concussive head injury will experience some symptoms for at least three months.

There are three main types of PCS: physical, cognitive, and emotional.

Physical PCS can mean anything from memory problems to chronic pain to sleeping difficulties.

Cognitive PCS refers to the feeling of not being able to think as quickly or as well as before the injury took place.

Emotional PCS usually manifests in depression or anxiety due to the traumatic event that caused the injury and living with the symptoms. 

What are the symptoms of Post-Concussion Syndrome (PCS)?

Post-concussion syndrome has many symptoms, some of which may be similar to symptoms of other brain injuries and neurological disorders. The severity and the length of time it takes for symptoms to go away can range from person to person.

Common post-concussion symptoms include:
• Tension Headaches
• Inability to concentrate
• Memory Issues
• Anxiety
• Depression
• Fatigue
• Dizziness
• Insomnia
• Irritable Moods
• Sensitivity to noise and light
• Ringing in the ears
• Blurry vision

The toll living with these symptoms can take on an individual’s body is exhausting. Adding to the stress is the fact that most suffers of PCS don’t look sick and a lack of understanding from others including medical professionals only adds to the feelings of discouragement and hopelessness.

Braincore Therapy can help relieve Post-Concussion Syndrome symptoms.

Braincore Therapy is a proprietary neurofeedback system that helps to relieve the symptoms of many neurological disorders. This includes symptoms of Post-Concussion Syndrome such as tension headaches, anxiety, insomnia, inability to concentrate, and memory issues.

An initial assessment, BrainMap, is performed to identify irregularities in the individual’s brainwaves by assessing the electrical patterns in the brain. A protocol is then established to help the patient normalize their brainwave patterns through a series of sessions involving visual feedback in the form of movies, puzzles and games. The brain’s natural inclination to complete a task is utilized to normalize the brainwaves and advance the game, view the next scene in the movie or complete the puzzle when the goal is reached.

The Braincore Therapy website explains how neurofeedback works quite well:

“Neurofeedback takes advantage of the brain’s ability to change itself through a process known as Neuroplasticity. It utilizes the same learning process that occurs whenever we acquire a new skill. The brain learns by forming connections between nerve cells and utilizing important pathways that connect different locations in the brain. The more frequently you utilize these pathways the better the brain becomes at performing the associated task. In psychology, this type of learning is called “Operant Conditioning”. It is a type of learning in which responses come to be controlled by their consequences. Quite simply, Neurofeedback offers the perfect learning conditions, since it facilitates awareness of when the brain is producing healthier brainwave patterns, provides reinforcement for the positive change and multiple opportunities to provide practice during a training session.”

Braincore Therapy helps individuals diagnosed with Post-Concussion Syndrome by alleviating the symptoms, reducing stress, and providing a way forward to get back to living a happy and productive life free of the challenges experienced.

If you suffer from Post-Concussion Syndrome and would like to learn how Braincore Therapy can help you contact our office at (845) 592-2237 to schedule a consultation. There is a path forward.