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.

Massage Therapy Is Good For Your Brain!

“Everything you have ever experienced felt or conducted in life is due to brain function. The ability to enjoy, perceive, sense, and experience life is dictated by the firing rate and health of your brain. It is impossible for a person to become healthy mentally or physiologically without a healthy brain.” ~ Datis Kharrazian, D.C., D.H.Sc., M.S.

Once considered a luxury, massage therapy has proven to be a beneficial modality for proper brain function and long- term overall health. Therapeutic massage has far reaching benefits, from bolstering sleep, mood and the immune system, to improving serotonin and dopamine levels in the brain. Studies show that:

Massage therapy, specifically back massage, promotes social and psychological behavior as well as bolsters the immune system: “Massage therapy promotes psychosocial relaxation, reduces stress and has been reported to improve the immune function. As such, massage therapy is currently used in palliative care for the relief of anxiety and pain.” ~J. Anesth. 2010 Dec;24(6):955-8. Epub 2010 Aug 5.


Massage therapy can help you sleep: “It's necessary to give foot reflexology massage as a successful nursing intervention to elderly who undergo a change in sleep, and suffer from a depression disorder due to deterioration in sleep.” Taehan Kanho Hakhoe Chi. 2006 Feb;36(1):15-24.


Massage therapy can improve your brain chemistry: Decreased levels of cortisol and increased levels of serotonin and dopamine were reported in a study by Touch Research Institute on massage therapy and biochemistry

According to an abstract from the International Journal of Neuroscience, the Institute’s studies included those on depression, including sex abuse and eating disorder studies, pain syndrome studies, research on auto-immune conditions including asthma and chronic fatigue, immune studies (including HIV and breast cancer), and studies on the reduction of stress on the job, during pregnancy, and aging.

In those studies in which cortisol was assayed either in saliva or in urine, significant decreases, averaging 31%, were noted in cortisol levels. This is beneficial to overall health as high and prolonged levels of cortisol have been shown to have negative health effects, including thyroid dysfunction, and higher blood pressure and LDL cholesterol levels.

In studies in which serotonin and dopamine, the activating neurotransmitters responsible for emotional control, were assayed in urine, an average increase of 28% and 31% was noted respectively. “These studies combined suggest the stress-alleviating effects (decreased cortisol) and the activating effects (increased serotonin and dopamine) of massage therapy on a variety of medical conditions and stressful experiences.” Int J Neurosci. 2005 Oct;115(10):1397-413.

Massage therapy can make you happier: The frontal lobes are where we experience happy, empathetic, joyous, and compassionate emotions. They help to regulate or gate the emotional, aggressive parts of our limbic system or “emotional brain.”

According to a 2002 study by the Touch Research Institute, “The increasing incidence of violence among children and adolescents highlights the importance of identifying at-risk profiles as well as assessing interventions for preventing violence. Empirical research has suggested behavioral, central nervous system, and neurotransmitter/neurohormone dysregulation in violent individuals, including (1) an underaroused central nervous system characterized by right frontal electroencephalogram (EEG) hypoactivation, and (2) a neurotransmitter/neurohormone profile of lower norepinephrine, serotonin, and cortisol, and elevated dopamine and testosterone. The literature also suggests a disproportionate incidence of physical abuse and neglect or the lack of positive physical contact in violent individuals.”

“In the studies we have conducted to date, there has been a relatively high incidence of anger and aggression in high school samples, even those that were relatively advantaged, as well as high levels of depression (one standard deviation above the mean), suggesting significant disturbance in these youth. Adolescents with these profiles also had less optimal relationships with their families, used illicit drugs more frequently, had inferior academic performance, and had higher depression scores. In our cross-cultural comparisons, preschoolers and adolescents were less physically affectionate and more aggressive in the United States versus France. Further, the U.S. youth received less physical affection as preschoolers, and as adolescents they engaged in more self-stimulating behaviors, perhaps to compensate for receiving less physical affection from their parents and peers. This supports the notion that less physical affection (or more physical neglect) can contribute to greater aggression.”

“Massage therapy has been effective with violent adolescents, perhaps because the physical stimulation reduced their dopamine levels and increased their serotonin levels. Their aggressive behavior decreased and their empathetic behavior increased. These preliminary data need to be replicated in a larger sample with a more comprehensive set of measures in the context of identifying a diagnostic profile.” Adolescence. 2002 Winter;37(148):735-49.

Massage is a wonderful therapeutic modality that should no longer be viewed as an indulgence, but essential for proper brain function and overall wellness. Call us at 631.265.1223 to learn more about how massage therapy can help optimize your health.

For Your Brain’s Sake, Be Aware of Your Blood Sugar Levels!

There are two factors which make our brains function normally: Fuel and Activation. Fuel for the brain is oxygen and glucose, more commonly known as your blood sugar. The brain can’t store glucose for a rainy day; it needs a steady supply and will break down other tissues to get it if it’s not available at the moment. This makes sense for survival because life cannot be sustained without proper brain function. Your quality of life can suffer also without proper brain function. Activation is the “use it or lose it” concept that we hear about often like exercise, meditation, chiropractic adjustments and brain activities such as learning a new language.

When we look at fasting blood glucose (blood sugar levels) in a patient’s blood chemistry, we’re looking at a window into their brain function. Normal functional ranges for blood glucose are anywhere from (85-100 mg/dL) in the fasting adult. If the fasting glucose levels are lower than this, a person can be considered hypoglycemic. Hypoglycemia can cause symptoms of fatigue, irritability, confusion, and headaches. In essence, the brain begins to suffer.

The cause of hypoglycemia can be several factors. One factor can be too much insulin is being released. Insulin is a protein that is released by the pancreas. It stimulates the uptake of glucose into the cells which is eventually converted into the energy needed to power the brain and thereby the rest of the body. Some people suffer with hypoglycemia as a result of too much insulin being released due to poor dietary choices. A diet high in sugar is one of the most common causes of hypoglycemia. Other factors for hypoglycemia include nutritional deficiencies and hormonal problems, just to name a few.

Hypoglycemics usually have a burst of energy after eating and then “crash” hours later. The insulin is dumped out in a large amount, absorbs the glucose, leaving the blood levels of glucose depleted. The brain then alters its output to save energy -- the equivalent to your car running out of gas. The symptoms one may experience are the same ones mentioned above. Chronic, long-term hypoglycemia can have serious consequences for the brain and can even lead to brain degeneration.

If hypoglycemia is not corrected, it can lead to a condition known as insulin resistance. This is when the pancreas no longer effectively produces insulin and the blood sugar becomes elevated. The fasting blood glucose will creep up towards the 100 mg/dL level. This can cause a whole host of problems for the brain such as inflammation, fatigue and alterations in hormone levels. It can also lead to cardiovascular problems, small blood vessel changes in the brain, and ultimately brain degeneration. The end result of insulin resistance if not corrected is Type II Diabetes. Once Diabetes sets in, it can be very difficult to correct. Diabetes can lead to stroke, depression, and recent evidence suggests that diabetics are at an increased risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease. (1)

A very important blood marker for insulin resistance is Hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c). HbA1c is a chemical component in the blood that reveals the blood glucose levels over a long period of time, not just as a result of the last meal. HbA1c is a useful indicator of how well the blood glucose level has been controlled in the recent past (6-8 weeks). Normal ranges should be around 4-6%. When HbA1c begins creeping up around 6, it indicates possible insulin resistance.

Blood sugar is of utmost importance to your brain’s performance. Whenever we attend a patient with a chronic health issue, especially chronic neurological issues, whether it be traumatic brain injury, Autism, Vertigo, chronic pain, etc., the first thing we want to look at is the fasting blood glucose. These levels give us a picture of the functioning of the entire brain. It is equivalent to a mechanic checking the oil levels in your car -- it’s the first thing they do to determine how the engine is performing. Often times, the blood sugar level (either too high or too low) is the cause of many common, chronic problems that people present with to healthcare professionals. In many cases, simply stabilizing a patient’s blood sugar through dietary changes and supplementation can eradicate many chronic symptoms and prevent future diseases and healthcare costs down the road.

-- Dr. Brent Reynolds

(1)Cerebral complications of diabetes mellitus. Ory Hetil. 2007 Dec 16;148(50):2371-6.

"Revving Up Your Brain Performance In the New Year -- Tips to Get Your Brain & Body In Tip Top Shape"

What's your resolution for 2010? Quit smoking? Get more exercise? Eat healthier? Reduce spending? The list goes on and on. If you're like most, you begin the New Year with the best intentions to turn over a new leaf. As time passes, the drive and the ability to stay committed waxes and wanes.


"Failures don't plan to fail; they fail to plan" says author and motivational speaker Harvey MacKay. Help yourself succeed this year by planning to focus on specific areas of your health. If a long-term plan is too overwhelming, try dividing your goals into a weekly or daily plan. Creating a lifestyle wellness plan will not only help your body feel great, but will also provide the mental acuity to make good decisions that will positively affect all areas of your life.


Here are some suggestions to keep your brain and body healthy this year:


Sleep -- While arguably the least taxing, it is often one of the most difficult goals to achieve. Adults should aim for 7-9 hours per night. Insufficient sleep is associated with chronic conditions such as diabetes, cardiovascular disease, obesity and depression. Make it a priority to establish a good sleep schedule. You’ll find you are sharper mentally and physically when you get adequate quantity of sleep.


Vices -- Plan to quit smoking and excessive drinking. Take it one day at a time.


Diet -- Be committed to a balanced diet; avoid processed foods and high saturated fat foods such as red meat. Opt for chicken, tofu, or even better, fish. A regular diet of Omega 3 rich fish such as salmon, tuna, trout, mackerel or sardines helps raise good high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL) which reduces the risk of cardiovascular disease such as abnormal heart rhythm (arrhythmia), poor circulation to the heart (angina) and heart attack. Essential fatty acids such as Omega 3 can improve brain cell composition as well as the function of chemicals that transmit messages between brain cells and the nervous system. Improper balance or deficiencies in these chemicals, called neurotransmitters, can result in depression, ADHD, anxiety, insomnia, panic attacks, compulsive eating disorders and other compulsive behaviors.


Supplements: Learn the ABC’s of EPA and DHA. These Omega 3 fatty acids in supplement form are particularly beneficial to those who find it difficult to incorporate fish into their diet. Docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and Eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) are vital nutrients found naturally in fish and can easily be ingested via gel caps or in liquid form.


As noted previously, these Omega 3 fatty acids have beneficial effects on high blood pressure, heart disease, and chronic inflammation such as rheumatoid arthritis. A 2006 Harvard study revealed that 250 mg. of EPA and DHA reduce the risk of dying of heart attack by 36%. (http://pubs.ama-assn.org/media/2006j/1017.dtl) University of Pittsburgh researchers studying rheumatoid arthritis found that 59% of arthritis sufferers stopped taking steroids for pain relief when given 1.2 grams of fish oil daily. (http://www.surgicalneurology-online.com/article/S0090-3019(05)00774-3/abstract)


In terms of brain health, DHA in particular has been found to improve communication between brain cells, helping to improve mood and mental clarity, reduce the risk of stroke, and may possibly stave off Alzheimer’s, and dementia. Research by UCLA neuroscientists has shown that DHA increases the production of LR11, a protein that destroys the protein that forms the "plaques" associated with Alzheimer’s, a disease which is predicted to affect 11 to 15 million people within the next 40 years. (http://www.jneurosci.org/cgi/content/full/27/52/14299).


Physical Exercise – While walking, aerobics, and yoga have obvious benefits to weight management, regular exercise also contributes to brain fitness. Levels of dopamine are increased in the brain when we exercise, which may help combat Parkinson’s disease and chronic compulsive disorders. Exercise also increases endorphins, the body’s natural anxiety busters and mood enhancers, as well as beta activity in the brain which is shown to increase focus and awareness, and reduce brain fog.


Mental Exercise – Research has shown that challenging the brain helps stimulate brain cell connections.  Reading, knitting, crossword puzzles, computer activities, or other cognitive activities may delay or even prevent memory loss.  This year, stimulate your brain by learning a musical instrument, a foreign language or delve into something you always wanted to learn... like astronomy!


Hydration – Reduced fluid levels, even as little as 1-2%, compromise nerve transmission in the brain, impairing cognitive performance and mood. Short-term memory, attention deficits, mental cloudiness, dizziness, headaches and chronic fatigue are signs of dehydration. Avoid caffeinated drinks. Make an effort to drink 8 large glasses of filtered water daily to flush out toxins and keep your brain and body running like a well-oiled machine.


The human brain can change throughout the course of a lifetime, an amazing ability called neuroplasticity. By activating our brains through new experiences, and fueling our bodies with good nutrition we can create and strengthen neural connections that improve memory and overall cognitive functioning. Thanks to neuroplasticity, it’s never too late to make a positive affect on our brain health.

In coming posts we’ll give you helpful hints on keeping you on track, like recipes for a brain healthy diet, exercise tips, supplement information, and ways to stay mentally sharp. We welcome your feedback and questions. Please use our comment form at the bottom of this post to share your thoughts.


Happy New Year!