Detroit area doctor says there's a hidden danger in concussion awareness

AUBURN HILLS, Mich. - Oct. 10, 2013 - PRLog -- A metro Detroit doctor says there's a hidden danger in concussion awareness.

Dr. Zachary Ward is an upper cervical chiropractor in Auburn Hills, and says he speaks from personal experience having helped students who have experienced concussion and post-concussion syndrome symptoms.

“Having an accurate diagnosis of a concussion injury can save an athlete's life,” said Ward. “So, this part of concussion awareness and prevention is important.”

“Getting kids off the field is important if they are in danger. It's what happens after the diagnosis that concerns me.”

What could be the problem with doctors identifying concussion injuries? Ward says that the concussion becomes so much of a focus that other problems fall through the cracks.

“Sometimes doctors forget that many, many concussion symptoms are also the same symptoms of whiplash injury.”

What symptoms of concussion are similar to the symptoms of whiplash of the neck? Headaches, migraines, problems concentrating, short term memory loss, and night time sleep disturbance occur after a whiplash. These are also recognized symptoms of post-concussion syndrome.

“Good neck mechanics are an important part of maintaining good health,” said Ward. “I think it would be a shame if post-concussion patients and their doctors were so focused on their concussion that they were not evaluated for a neck injury.

“Post-concussion syndrome may not only be in the head. They might find that the symptoms may be coming from the neck.”

Over the past couple of years, high profile concussion cases in professional sports and college athletics have raised awareness about the dangers of concussion injury. New measures have been in place at area high schools informing patients and students of the risks of concussion, in attempt to raise awareness among parents, students, and coaches.

Recently it was reported in the mainstream press that NFL Super Bowl Champion Jim McMahon has found healing through post-concussion syndrome headaches by addressing a problem in his neck through upper cervical chiropractic care.

Dr. Zachary Ward is offering a free seminar on the overlap between concussion and neck injuries for coaches, concerned parents, and other health care professionals. He will be teaching screening procedures that parents and other providers can use when evaluating post-concussion children for a simultaneous neck injury. Seminar date: 7 PM Thursday October 17, 2013. Seminar location: Lake Orion Public Library, 825 Joslyn Rd, Lake Orion, MI 48362.