What is a 5 Minute Text Neck Exercise Routine:

Our Chiropractic Team see this condition most frequently in teenagers and young adults, but anyone who spends significant amounts of time staring down at their phone can develop neck pain from this very poor posture.  Many people often associate neck pain with old age, but the truth is that most high school students experience neck pain or discomfort at some point.  Students nowadays spend the majority of their time on their phones or other devices to complete their homework and use social media. This causes them to look down on their device for long periods of time, which leads to the development of Text Neck. If your text neck pain was exacerbated by a contact to head, check out our concussion protocols and treatment options including acupuncture.

What Is Text Neck?

The neck is a complex, coordinated structure made up on bones, joints, ligaments, muscles, fascia and nerves.  Our Oakville Chiropractor says the neck is built for mobility.  Our necks allow for more rotation than any other part of the spine, but with that increased freedom of movement comes an increased vulnerability.  Additionally, our neck’s are supporting the bowling ball we call a ‘head’.  All the muscles, bones and nerves work in harmony when the neck and head are held in a healthy, neutral posture.  When the head and neck are moved from those ‘ideal’ postures, problems start to arise.  The term ‘Text Neck’ was coined by an American chiropractor, and refers to the neck pain and damage caused by looking own at a cellphone (or other electronic device) too frequently and for too long.

This condition is a result of overstretching of the muscles behind the neck and shortening of the muscles in the front. It can also lead to extra wear and tear of the cervical spine.  ‘Text neck’ is the close relative of ‘upper crossed syndrome’. 

In a healthy, aligned posture, the average head only exerts about 10-12 lbs of force through the muscles of the neck.  Moving the head forward by only 1 inch increases the forces exerted onto the spine by 6 times!  In children, the size of their head is larger in relation to their body size than adults.  This fact, combined with the fact that they have an increased propensity to spend their free time on an electronic device, makes them more susceptible to developing this condition. 

What is the best treatment for Text Neck?

Read More About Text Neck Here

Do Cell Phones Really Cause Neck Pain and Text Neck?

You might be reading this and think to yourself ‘I’m sure this is an exaggeration’ or ‘I don’t use my phone often enough to cause this pain’.  Our Oakville Chiropractic team bets you’d be shocked to learn how many hours a day you really spend on your devices.  Iphone users have the unpleasant option of tracking their screentime, right down to how many times a day you pick up your phone, to what applications you open first after picking it up.  Looking at your screen time tracker can be depressing, and we bet you’d be shocked with how much time you’re really spending looking down. 

Studies have shown that close to 80% of the population between the ages of 18 and 44 have their cell phones with them all the time.  They have it accessible to them all day and they sleep (ringer on) with the phone on their nightstand or in their bed with them.  We are so dependent on our electronics these days, that 23 billion texts are sent worldwide everyday.  The average American spend 5.5 hours a day on their phone, with millenials spending closer to 5.7 hours a day on their phones.  This statistics are crazy.  If you spent 5 hours a day exercising you’d be sore the next day.  So making your neck work too hard for 5.5 hours a day, and repeating that bad posture everyday, is asking for trouble. 

It’s no wonder our chiropractors are seeing more and more neck pain of ‘insidious onset’.  Patients will come in and be unsure of why they are experiencing tension, pain and headaches.  A few quick questions about screen time and work habits can quickly identify the true cause of the discomfort.  It comes as a shock to a lot of people!

What are Symptoms of Text Neck?

• Stiff, uncomfortable neck
• Upper back pain
• Shoulder pain
• Weakness in the neck, arms and back
• Headaches
• Radiating Pain (pain travelling from neck into shoulder and arm)

Don’t stress!  There are a few ways to help prevent and alleviate text neck.

What is the Anatomy of Text Neck?

Learn More About Text Neck Here

How Can You Prevent Text Neck?

Prevention is always the best option. The difficult thing about prevention of this condition are (a) some people don’t even realize how often they’re looking down at their phone and (b) sometimes its unavoidable. There are some simple tips to try and monitor electronics usage.

• Monitor your usage through an app. IPhones now have this feature built in.
• If you are working on a project, or are busy at work, set an alarm on your phone for every 1 hour. Get up from the desk or spend some time stretching. Don’t spend longer than 1 hour looking down (ideally work intervals shouldn’t be longer than 20-30 minutes, but we know taking micro-breaks at work can be hard).
• Raise the phone. It might look uncool to hold your phone up at eye-level, but your neck will be happier.
• Mix some stretching into your day. Squeeze the shoulder blades together, look upwards, extend the arms behind you slightly. Try to undo all the hours spent hunched forward looking down at your phone.
• Control your kids’ screen time. We apologize in advance for the whining that may occur when you take their iPad away, but their developing spines need a break from looking down all the time. We can’t emphasize enough how important this is!

Text Neck Treatment in Oakville:

If you have spent a few late nights at the office, or you’re studying hard at school, you’ll be at risk of developing text neck. Even without work demands, most of us spend a lot of our free time on our phones. All you have to do is take one quick look around our waiting room to see how dependent we are on our phones. Dr. Steve yells at at least 5 people a day for their poor texting posture.

What is the Best Chiropractic Treatment for Text Neck?

When the muscles are dysfunctional, like they are with text neck, the joints can also become stiff. An adjustment from our Oakville chiropractor will allow all the joints to work at their full potential. Having the neck adjusted will help the joints move to their full range of motion without any restrictions. Healthy joints are designed to move, and a quick adjustment will ensure the joints move as freely as possible. Another great target area is the mid and upper back. Looking down at a cell phone for multiple hours a day created and increased kyphosis. In other words, it rounds out the middle of the back to created a hunched forward appearance. Chiropractic adjustments to the middle back help alleviate stiffness and make you feel like you can sit up straight again. If you’ve ever felt like your back is so rounded that you can’t sit up straight even if you tried, get an adjustment! Your back will feel amazing! To further help in preventing text neck injuries, especially in children our chiropractor recommends these text neck and upper cross syndrome stretches.

Chiropractors are also extensively trained to treat the soft tissues. Muscles contribute significantly to the discomfort associated with text neck. Our chiropractors will use techniques to stretch and release tight muscles. Muscle release techniques are like targeted massages to the problematic muscles. These techniques involve applying pressure to tight muscles while stretching. Grafton is another technique used to treat the soft tissue. This involves using a tool to break up tight muscles and fascia. Both techniques are effective at relieving pain and improving range of motion.

Oakville Acupuncture for Text Neck:

Sustained poor postures results in some muscles having to work overtime. Our Oakville Acupuncturist has had a large increase in text next cases over the last 3 to 4 years. With the head hanging forward, looking down at a phone, the muscles in the back of the head and neck have to constantly be active in order to support the weight of the head. When the head it upright, all the muscles contribute to maintain a neutral posture. When the head hangs down, the muscles have to work overtime to provide the necessary support. Similar to the way your quads can feel sore after a tough workout at the gym, the neck can feel sore after prolonged poor posture.

Acupuncture can help stimulate the nerves and ‘wake up’ inactive muscles. Acupuncture can also alleviate tight muscles and get rid of trigger points that form in affected muscles. If you getting headaches from your text neck check out these acupuncture treatment. For these reasons acupuncture is the perfect treatment option! It addresses both problems, and can effectively resolve both issues! If you’re unsure about whether it is the right choice for you, come in and talk to Dr. Jenn about it!

Acupuncture involves the insertion of thin needles through the skin at specific points along neural pathways. This stimulation will affect the muscles those nerves innervate, and can help decrease muscle tone and decrease pain. There are also certain points in the body where it is safe to stimulate the muscles directly, and inserting a needle into a tight muscle can help it release. Acupuncture will also promote blood flow to the area which helps speed up the rate of healing.

What are the best Stretches for Text Neck?

Stretching is a simple way to relax the neck and shoulder muscles. In fact, our chiropractors at Nottinghill Family Wellness Centre recommend incorporating a few easy stretches into your daily routines to prevent/get rid of neck pain. Stretching the neck helps to improve posture, increase blood flow, and increase flexibility. The following stretches are chiropractor-approved and are very effective, if followed correctly. For a complete list of neck stretches click here!

Relief Position for Text Neck

When taking a break from your desk or your phone, Brugger position will help stretch tight muscles and activate other muscles that become inactive after prolonged poor posture. Sitting in a hunched position also compresses the diaphragm, and Brugger’s position will help encourage the diaphragm to expand as much as possible. To try this position, pull the shoulder blades back, look straight ahead, hang your arms by your side and turn your palms to face forward. Hold this position for a minute or two.

Watch A Video on Brugger’s Position

What are the Best Chiropractic Exercises for Text Neck?

Strengthening the deep muscles in the neck is an important part in fixing text neck. When all the muscles are strong, and activate at the right time, the neck functions optimally and is less likely to cause pain. A strong neck helps maintain good posture, helps move the neck efficiently, and helps keep the joints and muscles pain-free!

Click Here for Oakville Chiropractor Approved Treatment for Text Neck

Not all neck exercises are created equally. The exercises that help strengthen the deep muscles of the neck are often the most effective at helping improve poor posture and neck pain. When the outer muscles are tight and overactive, the deep muscles in the neck can shut off. When these muscles shut down, it creates a vicious cycle that makes the outer muscles work even harder! The bottom line is that strengthening those deeper muscles can be the trick to making sure all the neck muscles are balanced and pulling their own weight. Chin tuck exercises are a great starting point. These exercises have many modifications, variations and progressions to help increase the strength of the deep neck flexors while keeping it pain-free.

Text Neck Treatment FAQS

1. What is text neck?

Text neck is a group of posture changes and symptoms that occur do to looking down at our phones or laptops. It is characterized by rolled shoulder, anterior head posture, pain in the neck, headaches and nerve pain going down the arms.

2. How can I treat text neck pain?

The best treatment for text neck is getting off your phone or setting up your computer station with a more ergonomic approach. A chiropractor or physiotherapist would be the best practicioners to treat text neck.

3. What is the treatment for text neck?

Text neck treatment encompasses a combinatino of treatment including IFC, Graston, ART, Shockwave Therapy, Acupuncture and Manual Chiropractic Adjustments.

4. How can I prevent text neck?

Get off your phone and change the position of your computer. You need to start training your muscles and posture and getting treatment if you sit a computer all day or are on your phone for more than an hour a day.

5. Can my child get text neck?

Almost 100 percent of kids in Canada are suffering from some level of text neck since Covid. So yes, your child can get text neck and to be honest they probably already have it.

6. Can text neck be corrected?

Yes, caught early enough text neck can be corrected. But if you wait to long, it might be too late or take a very long time to get your posture back to “normal”.

7. Does a chiropractor or physiotherapist treat text neck?

Both chiropractors and physiotherapists are great at treating text neck. A chiropractor might be favored in most instances as they will manipulate the bones of your neck.

8. What happens if I don’t correct my text neck?

A life time of issues with posture, headaches, stress, anxiety and overall pain.

9. How come I never had text neck when I was a child?

Cell phones and laptops are relatively new. Today’s jobs have people on the computer more than ever. Working from home on a lap top and not a proper setup. Today’s kids are on their devices from 1 to 8 hours a day. All this ads up and causes text neck.

10. Does shockwave therapy help with text neck?

Yes, Shockwave Therapy combined with manual chiropractic adjustments are the gold standard for text neck.

Our Oakville chiropractors are constantly preaching the importance of good posture.  Posture is the position we hold our bodies while standing and sitting.  Good posture refers to positions that align our spines in a way that keeps them neutral, and creates as little tension between muscle groups as possible.  Maintaining a good posture also helps keep the ligaments, that hold our bones in efficient orientations, to do their jobs properly without being constantly stretched into positions that lengthen them and make them less effective.

Learn more about the best chiropractic practices for posture here.

We have probably all had our mother’s tell us to sit up straight, but is there really any harm to slouching?  Yes.  When our muscles are being held in lengthened positions (think your midback, when you round your shoulders and hunch over your phone) it causes excess strain that can leave them weaker.  Similarly, poor posture can keep other muscles in shortened positions and cause them to become uncomfortable and tight. This combination of events can be described as ‘upper cross syndrome.‘  Our bodies are happiest when they are held in neutral positions and all the muscles work harmoniously together.  

Looking for Chiropractic Approved warm-up exercises before you hit the links ? Check out these Glen Abbey Golf Club approved warm up exercises you need to do before every golf round.

What exercises to perform for posture

Poor posture is a bit of an epidemic in the technology-forward world we live in today.  Many people spend hours hunched over their phones and computers for a large portion of the day.  Other factors that can contribute to poor posture include stress, obesity, pregnancy and improper ergonomics.  The good news is that poor posture can be corrected!  Dr. Steve and Dr. Jenn have put together some simple stretches and exercises to help undo the effects of poor posture and keep your spine and muscles as happy as possible! Exercise combined with chiropractic adjustments, soft tissue release and acupuncture, our doctors will have you feeling better in no time. Need a little reminder to maintain good posture? 

Learn More About Workplace Ergonomics HERE

When it comes to completing a stretching program, our Oakville Chiropractors say some muscles can be easily forgotten.  Stretches for muscles of the neck, lower back, quads and hamstrings are well known and often included in pre and post workout programs.  But what about the calves?  These muscles help us walk, stand, run and jump, so they should be given a little TLC as well!

What are the Calf Muscles

There are two main muscles that make up the muscle group collectively known as the ‘calf muscles’.  The gastrocnemius is the main bulk of the muscle that you can easily grab with you hand at the back of your lower leg.  This muscle attaches just above the knee and inserts into the heel.  The fact that the muscle crosses two joints means it can contribute to two motions, flexing the knee and pointing the toes.  Your soleus lays underneath the gastrocnemius.  The soleus is a one joint muscle, and contributes to pointing the toes.  The soleus is the workhorse when it comes to maintaining a standing posture. Learn more about the anatomy of the calf.

The calf muscles can be responsible for pains in the knees and the feet.  Conditions like plantar fasciitis, Achilles tendonitis, shin splints or even knee pain can be due to tight calf muscles!  Having tight calves will alter walking mechanics, and can even start to cause problems in the hips and lower back if left untreated.  Simple daily lifestyle factors like wearing high heels or sitting all day (and therefore leaving the calves static) can lead to tightness and discomfort. 

Doctor Approved Calf Stretches

Our Oakville Chiropractor has put together a list of different variations of calf stretching to try.  These stretches can all be modified to stretch both the gastrocnemius and soleus.  Any of these stretches completed with a straight knee will stretch the gastrocnemius.  If you want to stretch the soleus, simple add a slight bend to the knee to target the deeper muscle!  If you have any questions, ask Dr. Steve or Dr. Jenn for advice on how to get the best stretch! 

Knee injuries are incredibly common.  Our Oakville chiropractor has put together a mid-level exercise program for people who are, or have previously, experienced knee pain.  No matter the cause of the knee pain, strengthening the knee is indicated in the management of most knee conditions. 

Knee Exercises and Treatment

Muscle imbalances often play a big role in knee pain.  When the muscles that cross over the joint aren’t working in harmony, it can cause the bony structures of the knee to glide in less efficient and more uncomfortable ways.  Trauma to the knee, as often seen in football or soccer, can cause ligament injuries and a resulting instability within the knee.  Strengthening these injuries is crucial to a full recovery.

If you are experiencing knee pain, our Oakville chiropractor can help get you back to the activities you love.  After a thorough assessment our chiropractor will provide hand-on treatment to address muscle tightness and joint restrictions, IFC to manage pain, acupuncture for neuro-modulation of the knee and exercise prescription to stretch and strengthen the affected knee. 

How many times have you watched an athlete take a huge hit and not return for the rest of the game? Or watched your child get crushed into the boards at hockey? Concussions in youth are becoming all to familiar at our clinic.  Our Oakville chiropractors are seeing more concussions then ever before. These days, with athletes being bigger and stronger than ever before, it happens regularly.  NHL athletes have to spend a few minutes in the quiet room since the program was implemented in 2011.  The NFL has had a  specific concussion protocol to protect their athletes since 2009.  However, its not just contact sports that result in concussions.   Our chiropractors get Volleyball players who get smacked in the head with balls all the time, more often during practice than in a game. Baseball pitchers can get hit in the head with a ball hot off the bat.  Athletes who slip and fall during their sport can experience whiplash and a resultant concussion.  The mechanisms of injury can differ, but if the head get whipped or impacted, a concussion may result.   Think you or a loved one might have a concussion ? Get in today to see our Chiropractors.

Learn more about Concussion and Treatment HERE

What Is A Concussion

Concussions are mild traumatic brain injuries, and they (unfortunately) have cumulative effects.  Concussions are caused by blows/impact to the head and/or body that cause the head to aggressively jerk back and forth.  These injuries cause the brain to knock against the skull and this sets off a whole cascade of changes in the brain.  Our brains are surrounded by a fluid that protects them from softer impacts, but when the forces get to be higher the protective cushion does not work as well.  Suffering from vertigo after a hit to the head? Check out our Vertigo treatment options in Oakville.

How to ice an injury can be found HERE !

When a concussion occurs, there are some structures in the brain that swell and break.  Blood vessels contract and create a decrease in blood flow.  The chemicals of the brain become unbalanced and start to wreak havoc on how the brain functions.  It can be a real mess.  Get in early and often to see our Oakville Chiropractor for Concussion treatment before its too late.

These injuries will temporarily affect brain functioning.  The symptoms can be quite widespread and don’t always follow a linear path to recovery.  Sometimes a concussed individual feels fine, but when they are forced to pay attention and focus, symptoms can worsen.  It is important that the symptoms are never disregarded, because this is an injury that can’t be fixed by ignoring it.

Click Here For More Information On Concussions

How Do Concussions Occur?

Concussions are one of the most common injuries in sport.  In today’s society they are being talked about more often, with injuries suffered by athletes in the NHL and NFL shedding light on the impact these injuries have on daily life, and the potential negative consequences they can have long term. 

Just because sport is a common cause, doesn’t mean it’s the only cause.  Bicycle accidents, car accidents, severe whiplash injuries, falls and physical fights can all cause concussions.  Any time the head or body is impacted enough to shake the head, there is a possibility of concussion. 

Read More About The Latest Information On Concussions

Concussion Symptoms

Our Oakville chiropractors treat athletes and people who have been in car accidents every day.  Concussion injuries can range from mild to severe, and they are not injuries that should be messed around with. In our experience, concussion symptoms are wildly misunderstood.  Some symptoms of concussion include:

• Headache
• Noise Sensitivity
• Tinnitus (ringing or buzzing in the ears)
• Blurry Vision
• Double Vision 
• Balance and Coordination Difficulty
• Trouble Focusing on TV screens/Tablets/Phones
• Sleep Disturbance
• Fatigue
• Short Term Memory Problems
• Mood Changes
  • Sadness
  • Anger
  • Quickly Fluctuating Emotions
• Difficulty Concentrating

Concussion Management Oakville

Managing a concussion can be really frustrating.  Even when the individual feels like they have recovered, trying to get back to regular activities can be a challenge.  Our Oakville Chiropractic clinic works across all levels of the medical community to keep both the doctors and the patients informed. Concussions affect the brain, and we need our brain for every single thing we do.  It’s a tough body part to rest, and rest is what’s needed the most.  The guidelines also recommend that you mix in some light physical activity.  Not an intense 5km run, but some easy cardiovascular exercise where you’d be able to maintain a conversation and not be completely out of breath.

Returning to work and play can be difficult.  Following a period of rest, that can be determined as a collaboration between you and your doctor, the return to activity should be gradual and should always respect the symptoms ( ie – if you go back to work and you feel terrible afterwards, you need more time off). 

Loud noise and bright light can over-stimulate the brain and leave a concussed person feeling sick.  Screen-time should be limited.  Reading should be limited.  Concentrating and problem solving should be limited.  Anything that makes the brain work too hard…you guessed it…should be limited.   

Sleep can be disturbed, but sleep is really important!  Try to manage your bed time, keep the sleep routines the same and avoid caffeine to ensure your brain gets the sleep it needs.  Focus on eating a healthy, balanced diet.  Recovering from a concussion can be pretty boring, especially for teenagers who live off of sports, video games and TV.  Remember that a concussion is a brain injury, and not something that should be taken lightly! 

Treatment Options for Concussion in Oakville

At Nottinghill Family Wellness Centre we have many options for treatment. Our chiropractors, Dr. Steve and Dr. Jenn, have a number of different treatment options to help relieve the muscle and joint pain that can be related to a concussion injury.

Chiropractic Concussion Treatment

Concussion injuries involve a blow to the head or neck, so they often go hand-in-hand with injuries to the neck. The muscles and joints can become sore, restricted and tight. Our chiropractors are experts in dealing with spinal pain from sport, and therefore chiropractic is an excellent option for the neck and/or whiplash experienced after a concussion injury. Spinal adjustments and mobilizations can help get stiff joints moving again. It will help your head and neck feel lighter, and help restore your full range of motion.

Chiropractic appointments will also include the use of electrical modalities to help relax tight muscles and ease pain. In addition, hot and cold therapy can be applied to help reduce inflammation, relieve pain and promote healing.

Our Oakville chiropractors will also prescribe some home exercises to help get you better faster! Neck stretches will help you regain your range of motion and help decrease headache frequency. Specific neck exercises will help strengthen your neck and get you back to your normal routine quickly!

Acupuncture Treatment for Concussion

After suffering a concussion, muscles in the back of the head and neck can become very tight. We treat these injuries at our Oakville acupuncture clinic all the time! Whiplash injuries can be suffered in conjunction with a concussion, and acupuncture is a great option for treating neck pain. Inserting needles into sore and tight musculature can help them relax, and can significantly reduce pain. Acupuncture treatment for whiplash injuries is included as part of a regular chiropractic visit, and can be an excellent option for improving function and eliminating pain caused by a head injury.

Headaches are also a common occurrence with a concussion. If the headaches are caused by the joints of the head and neck, or by the muscles around the head and neck, acupuncture can help treat those headaches too! In addition to treating the muscles directly, there are special headache acupuncture points to treat headaches specifically!

Click Here for More Information On Acupuncture For Headaches

For More Information About Concussion Management Click Here

Returning To School/Work

Not all concussions require a break from school or work, but some definitely do.  It is very important that you check with a healthcare provider before you try and return to your regular activities.  Some concussion symptoms take a day or two to show up, so don’t rush yourself back into your normal routine.  If you, or your child, needs to take some time away from school, keep in mind that even if homework is sent home, it can be detrimental to recovery.  Thinking is still thinking even if it’s not taking place in a classroom.   It may be necessary to only attend school for a half day, take breaks, have a designates quiet room to finish tasks and avoid noisy areas (like the cafeteria).

So why isn’t it a good idea to return to work/school right away?  This is your brain we’re talking about.  Injuries to your brain should not be taken lightly.  Any time you need to think, concentrate, read, follow along in a meeting or answer a question in school,  you’re using your brain.  The brain is a hard thing to rest, but rest is what it needs to recover.  If you are feeling fine, but after a work/school day are starting to feel unwell or have noticed a worsening of your symptoms, then it is probably time to take a break.

Returning To Sports

A big portion of the concussion population is athletes.  Athletes are always eager to return to their sport.  We get it.  What some people don’t understand is that returning to sport too quickly can be really dangerous.  We aren’t keeping you away from your sport to be mean, we’re doing it because it’s in your best interest. 

If your brain is already experiencing an energy crisis, or is inflamed, a second injury can be catastrophic.  Second Impact Syndrome is a second injury to the brain that occurs before the first one has a chance to recover completely.  The scary part about this condition, is that when the brain is already more fragile than normal, it only takes a fraction of the initial impact force to cause more problems.  This can be fatal, which is why proper concussion management is so important.   

There is a very specific protocol to return a concussed athlete to their sport.  The return to any sort of physical activity needs to be gradual and the environment needs to be controlled.  For example, a concussed hockey player does not return to game play right away.  In fact, they shouldn’t even return to contact practice right away.  Physical activity needs to be re-introduced slowly.  Starting with light cardiovascular exercise and ending with return to full contact sport.  If at any stage of the re-introduction symptoms worsen, you need to return to the previous stage.  It can be a long, drawn-out, frustrating process for athletes. 

If you’re looking for more detailed information for yourself (as a parent, athlete, coach, teacher or healthcare practitioner) the SCAT 5 is a tool used to identify a concussion had taken place. The last page of the document contains valuable information. This information can help anyone identify ‘red flags’ after a concussion (that indicate the person should go to the hospital). It also details the graduated “return to work” and “return to sports” protocols that should be followed after a concussion.

Preventing Concussion

There has been lots of research in the past 10 years dedicated to finding ways to prevent concussion.  Some of the proposed changes have been major and league-wide, and some proposed changes are smaller but no less important.  Some hockey leagues across Canada have changed the rules of their sport, eliminating hitting in the younger age groups.  The NHL introduced the ‘quiet room’ in 2011 to take head injuries more seriously.  Volleyball leagues have made changes to the way they organize their hitting practice to limit stray balls from hitting an unsuspecting athlete.  Rule changes are important in both preventing and managing concussion. 

Another important factor in preventing concussion is proper equipment, and properly fitted equipment.  We know some athletic gear is expensive, and it’s way easier to put your kids in hand-me-down gear, even if it doesn’t fit perfectly.  A properly fitted helmet can be the difference between a moment of discomfort and months of recovery from a concussion.

When fitting a helmet there are a number of factors that should be considered.  Whether it is a bicycle helmet, hockey helmet, football helmet or motorcycle helmet, there are some important rules to follow…

Helmet Fit

• When choosing a size, measure around the head just above the eyebrows
• When getting fit for a helmet, make sure the hairstyle worn at the time of measurement is the same that will be worn majority of the time
• Chin strap should be centered under the chin and pulled snug

Helmet Storage

• Do not let anything lean against or on top of the helmet
• Do not paint or decorate the helmet without checking the manufacturer guidelines, this may change the integrity of the materials

Concussions are a complex issue, and it is imperative they are well managed right from the beginning. If you, or someone you know, has suffered a concussion get in for treatment and management tips right away!

Book An Appointment Today!