So why does this matter? Specific guidelines now “ensure that student-athletes who sustain concussions are properly diagnosed” and are given adequate time to heal. This protocol is necessary for athletes, coaches, trainers, doctors, physical education teachers, as well as parents to know and practice. Most importantly: a concussion should never be trivialized or ignored.  Even for the trained professional, a concussion can still be difficult to diagnose. For full details: VA Board of Education Guidelines for Policies on Concussions in Student-Athletes.

Great news for student athletes in Prince William County, concussion training is now mandatory. Before allowing students to try-out or practice, they’re taught by certified athletic trainers how to recognize signs and symptoms as well as recovery from a concussion. In his article Concussion training now mandatory for PWCS athletes, James Ivancic interviews area trainers and notes that parents want to know what symptoms to look for.

There are many indicators of concussions. If you suspect someone has been concussed, look for any one or any combination of the following signs and symptoms: thinking deficits, lack of sustained attention, a confused mental status, amnesia, dazed  look or a vacant stare, a slurred or incoherent speech, vomiting and/or nausea, slow motor and verbal responses, emotional liability, memory deficits, poor  coordination, dizziness, headaches,  restlessness hyperesthesia’s / neurasthenia.  Late concussion symptoms  (which could be days or even weeks later) include: persistent low-grade  headache, light-headedness, poor attention and concentration, memory  dysfunction, easy fatigue ability, irritability and low frustration tolerance,  Intolerance of bright lights and/or  difficulty focusing vision, intolerance of loud noises– tinnitus, anxiety  and/or depressed mood and sleep  disturbances. For more examples: http://www.sportsconcussions.org/concussion-basics.html . And always remember  that if someone has not been
rendered as unconscious it doesn’t mean that they have not been  concussed.

Fox 5 News, Beth Parker, reiterates the  importance of Protecting Student Athletes from Concussions in this broadcast: http://bit.ly/r0MV2F

For other sports related questions feel free to  contact Dr.  Carmelo F. Caratozzolo, 703-491-9355, www.actwellness.com.
Dr. “C” is a Certified Chiropractic  Sports Physician (CCSP). His office address:  ACT Wellness Center, 2894 Garber Way, Woodbridge, VA.

ACT Wellness Center / 2894 Garber Way / Woodbridge, VA / 703-491-9355
Dr. Carmelo Caratozzolo DC, CCSP
Mon. Tues. Thu. 9 – 12:30; 3 – 7pm; Wed. 3 – 7pm; Fri. – closed
http://www.actwellness.com// Blog: www.actwellnesscenter.com

             Your backbone isn’t just one bone; rather, it’s made up of individual bones called vertebrae.  Most of us have 7 cervical vertebrae, 12 thoracics, 5 lumbars, and a tailbone (sacrum and coccyx).  Between each set of vertebrae1, and between the lowest lumbar (L5) and the sacrum, lies a cushion of cartilage called the disc or “intervertebral disc.”  These 23 discs cushion the forces involved with walking, running, sitting, standing – actually all of our human movements. They make up about 25% of your spine’s height during youth;  and as we age, they dehydrate,2 and lose height.  This is a problem because as your vertebrae lose vertical height, the opening for the nerve roots and related tissues (veins, arteries) becomes smaller.  “Stenosis” is when this space is narrowed to the point of irritating, and sometimes permanently damaging, these tissues.

             There is an inner gelatinous component much like a jelly donut, which is pressurized due to the forces of gravity and activities of daily living.  That pressure varies based on your position and activity. Lying down means very, very low disc pressure.  Standing or sitting raises that pressure by 2-5 times;  and lifting a 20 kg (44 lb) weight while standing increases that pressure by 10-20 times compared to resting/lying down.3  How you lift a weight makes a difference.  Bending your knees and maintaining good neutral posture is a must. Hold a weight closer to your body, and you can literally halve the disc’s pressure.4  Remember that the next time you’re lifting a computer monitor or bag or mulch or grandchild.

             Since discs are mostly water, you can help keep them healthy by drinking plenty of fluid.  Pure water is a great choice.  Another great choice: stop smoking. Smoking behavior is related to decreased disc hydration;  and since dessicated (dried out) discs are more prone to injury, you’ll be doing your spine (and also your lungs and family) a huge favor.

             How do doctors determine what shape your discs are in?  X-rays don’t show the disc itself, but they do show the spaces between the spinal bones.  A small space means that the disc has degenerated.  A larger space suggests a better hydrated, healthier disc.  Of course, a disc herniation (bulging or torn disc) won’t show up on an x-ray.  An MRI will reveal intimate details about the disc,  yet beware rushing off to the surgeon.  Studies of patients with no symptoms showed that disc abnormalities (dried discs, bulging discs) are common.  A good doctor will look at the clinical picture, not just x-rays, CAT scans, MRI’s, and other images, before determining an appropriate course of action.

             Chiropractic procedures can help normalize the joints that guide disc movement, as well as pumping nutrition to the disc itself.  Better still, chiropractors may be able to help you minimize or prevent future problems.  If you or someone you care about problems related to a spinal disc, ask your chiropractor for guidance. Find a highly trained chiropractor on-line at www.virginiachiropractic.org, or call the Unified Virginia Chiropractic Association.

ACT Wellness Center / 2894 Garber Way / Woodbridge, VA / 703-491-9355
Mon. Tues. Thu. 9 – 12:30; 3 – 7pm; Wed. 3 – 7pm; Fri. – closed
http://www.actwellness.com// Blog: www.actwellnesscenter.com

He’s 38 years old and able to leap, jump, roll, and climb with ease performing parkour.  Parkour, similar to freerunning, demonstrates  “swift and energy-efficient traversing of one’s surrounding environment via the practical application of techniques, based around the concept of self-preservation and the ability to help others”. 

 Rob flips for chiropractic! 

 View his chiropractic wellness video at: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X-ASf_vgEdk&feature=player_embedded