Back to School Tip: Schedule a Sports Baseline Concussion Assessment for Your Student Athlete

Youth sports concussion is on the rise; preseason neurological baseline testing provides valuable data for concussion recovery Concussion is a type of traumatic brain injury (TBI) triggered by a direct or indirect hit to the face, neck or body causing the head and brain to bounce around or twist in the skull, damaging brain cells. Over 300,000 sports-related concussions occur annually in the U.S. according to the University of Pittsburgh's Brain Trauma Research Center, and the likelihood of suffering a concussion while playing a contact sport is estimated to be as high as 19 percent per year of play. High school contact sports are responsible for over 62,000 concussions each year; among college football players, 34 percent have had one concussion, and 20 percent have endured multiple concussions.

Concussion is often called the silent or invisible injury because symptoms are invisible and often go unrecognized. Symptoms can range from mild to severe and can have long-term cognitive, physical and emotional effects. An initial sign of concussion can be loss of consciousness, however this is not true in all cases as each TBI is unique to the individual. Other common symptoms include: On-the-field amnesia

• Confusion Forgetfulness (“brain fog”) 
• Headaches
• Dizziness 
• Sleeplessness 
• Fatigue 
• Irritability 
• Light sensitivity 
• Feelings of sluggishness 

Concussion in a child is even more serious than for an adult since the pediatric brain is still developing; many children with traumatic brain injuries often face long-term cognitive, behavioral and social challenges. The key of course is prevention through proper training and equipment; although helmets are essential in preventing skull fracture, no helmet is concussion-proof. With the school sports season just starting, Dr. W. Brent Reynolds, board-certified Chiropractic Neurologist and BrainCore neurofeedback practitioner, is recommending a “Sports Baseline Neurological Assessment” for students who are planning to play both contact and non-contact competitive and recreational sports in the upcoming school year. A baseline conducted prior to the start of the season provides crucial data in the unfortunate event of concussion to serve as a comparative basis in a post-injury evaluation and for developing a healing plan.

QEEG Brain Map

The Sports Baseline Neurological Assessment begins with a Quantitative Electroencephalographic (QEEG) brain map which provides baseline data on the child’s neurological health. The “Q” is painless and non-invasive; sensors measure and record electrical activity in the various regions of the brain, noting neurological capabilities and deficits. The “Q” is followed by a clinical neurological exam which measures the child’s sensory and motor abilities, balance and coordination. If TBI is suspected during the season, the baseline provides objective data on areas of brain dysfunction which helps with recovery and return-to-play planning.

According to Dr. Reynolds, “A clinical diagnosis of traumatic brain injury such as concussion is typically based on subjective symptoms reported by parents or observed by clinicians. The assessment tools in a neurological baseline are more objective and effective, providing factual evidence of any brain dysfunction. This data is essential for creating a rehabilitation plan to restore a patient’s neurological health.”

The Sports Concussion Neurological Assessment is available at a special preseason price of $100 ($325 value) until September 30, 2015. For more information contact Dr. Reynolds' Smithtown, Suffolk County Long Island office at 631.265.1223.

Our blog has moved. Check out new postings on health, nutrition and neurology at: http://www.newlifechiropractic.com/about/blog

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Announcing the Unveiling of Our New Website!

The following news release was issued today concerning our website:

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

SMITHTOWN, NY (July 26, 2011)-- Dr. Keri Chiappino and Dr. W. Brent Reynolds are pleased to announce the launch of the newly designed website for their practice, New Life Chiropractic (www.newlifechiropractic.com). The husband and wife team, both board-certified Chiropractic Neurologists, offer a unique expanded approach to healthcare for the entire family. Using brain-based chiropractic and nutritional therapies that are non-invasive, non-surgical, and non-pharmacological, the doctors address a wide range of neurological disorders and health conditions.

Dr. Chiappino, a Defeat Autism Now! (DAN) practitioner, specializing in the care of special needs children, pregnancy, and nutrition, redesigned the website with parents in mind. “We often find that parents of special needs children are not fully informed about natural therapies currently available. Our goal with the new site is to provide resources, tools and up-to-the minute information on holistic therapies that offer children an alternative to a lifetime dependency on prescription medications, which often have serious side effects. The site features an interactive quiz for parents who have concerns about their child’s development, the tell-tale signals of attention disorders, as well as information on diet and nutrition. To celebrate the launch of the site, we are offering a free 15 minute phone consultation with any parent who completes the online quiz to discuss their concerns.”

Commenting on the redesigned site, Dr. Reynolds, a specialist in chronic inflammation, vertigo, traumatic brain injury, and nutrition, adds, “With our new website, our aim is to help patients with vestibular disorders, chronic pain and other health issues better understand the neurological basis for their condition and how Chiropractic Neurology can help them regain their health without drugs or invasive procedures. The new site clearly outlines the scope of our services and offers a better understanding of how our therapies have helped in real life situations through testimonials offered by those whom we have treated.”

The doctors’ blog, Holistic Nutrition and Neurology (http://holisticnutrition andneurology.blogspot.com), featuring articles covering the gamut of health concerns, is also accessible from the site. According to Dr. Reynolds, “The blog is updated on a regular basis so that visitors can become more educated on natural health care alternatives like Chiropractic Neurology. We hope our followers will take away valuable information from the blog and our new website that provides a fresh perspective on natural healing, allowing them to take an active role in developing and maintaining their wellness lifestyle.”



About New Life Chiropractic

Dr. Keri Chiappino and Dr. W. Brent Reynolds offer a unique, expanded approach to wellness that combines the best of neurological science with nutrition and traditional chiropractic, helping their patients achieve balance in their brains, their bodies, and their lives.

The doctors have distinguished themselves as two of 600 doctors worldwide achieving Diplomatic status on the American Chiropractic Neurological Board (ACNB), with over 900 hours in Chiropractic Neurological coursework. Dr. Chiappino and Dr. Reynolds’ private family practice, New Life Chiropractic, is dedicated to relieving chronic conditions that severely disable people, including, but not limited to, patients with Multiple Sclerosis, Parkinson's, Alzheimer's, Autism Spectrum Disorders, ADD/ADHD, vertigo, migraines, asthma, depression, and anxiety disorders, and they have achieved positive results with improvement in these conditions. Offices are located in Manhattan (Upper West Side) and Smithtown, Long Island.

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