Transcript: Question: Can you describe the evolution of the concussion, from your experience? In the evolution of the injury, it is important to consider that sometimes symptoms don't kick in until a day or two later but it's still a concussion. Effects do not have to be immediate. It is also important to consider that the resulting issues of a concussion do NOT have to be local to the head. The patient could feel his or her shoulder freezing up and even the most experienced clinicians would not know that it was due to a "brain" issue. Question: Can you give our audience a perspective on the climate and "standard operating procedures" (so to speak) medical professionals carry out when dealing with a concussed individual today? Daniel: Having worked with many pro athletes in canada, USA and Europe over the last 10 years, most are NOT using TCA's. I'm not saying that it's never been done, but it's becoming less and less frequent. The reason they are so frequently used today is because they do not work. I have had many patients hop from TCA's to SSRI's, to SNRI's, to cognitive aids such as Modafanil, and in my experience, they just don't work. We are NOT simply chemical beings. If we were, a pill-only strategy may work. But thankfully we are organic creatures with complex and dynamic bodies - patterns of electrical energy operating like the Boston Philharmonic. Article: For this talk, we both read a popular article published in the "Gazzete Review" - a Minneapolis newspaper, titled: "Post-Concussion Syndrome Facts and New Information." It's important to note that the author was an Allied Health worker with 3 years of hospital experience. Question: The author of this article states that, and I quote, "There is no real treatment available for the condition." - Referring to Post-Concussion Syndrome. In your experience, would you say this is accurate? If not, can you explain? Post Concussion Syndrome In the article, the author writes; "There is no real treatment available for the condition" Daniel: Nothing could be further from the truth. This is a terrible thing to put into print. There are treatments available. Cognitive symptoms no cure? Often the problem is that we focus exclusively on "cognitive" issues not understanding the integration of both brain and body. We want a reductionist mindset where we can put a person on a computer for 20 minutes and then use that to formulate a rehab protocol but that is insane. That would be like being a high level sprinter with a terrible leg injury and then deciding to focus only on my toe for rehab. The brain and body are off the same ectodermal layer of tissue we cannot separate this. This Cartesian duality must stop!!!!! In Toronto there are over 100 certified concussion providers and NOT 1 of THEM addresses the fact that the body and brain are intimately connected. You know how I know that? Because not one of these terrible clinics implements the cerebellum as a way to improve cognition. These guys don't even know what the cerebellum is!!!!!!! Time heals all wounds, but that's not the case. Especially with concussion. The problem here is that we are deluded into thinking we have an innate ability to heal. WE DO NOT. We have an innate ability to repair- which is very different and not good enough. If you break your leg, and you " let it come back with time" as the author would suggest do you know what will happen? It will calcify, the muscles will be atrophied, the leg may be an inch or two shorter! Is that healing??NO! That's our body doing the best it can to repair. But that is not healing. Question: The author also mentions memory loss and confusion occurring after a concussion-traumatic brain injury. She states that "Usually memory or thinking abilities will come back by itself after a period of time, which might be weeks or months, depending upon the brain trauma." Post-Concussion SyndromeCan you comment on this? Daniel: ??? What on earth does that mean? Question: I know you are involved in some in-depth research around neurotransmitter optimization. Does any of that research have a role to play in helping those with post-concussion syndrome recover faster, with all of the neurons and brain functionality they had prior? Question: One statement the author makes with regards to treating athletes with PCS is to "Assure the athlete that their abilities will come back completely with time." What would you say is the most important way to treat post-concussion syndrome? Daniel: Again sounds like someone who's never seen a patient. I have patients who are at all different levels of function, and unfortunately many that are NOT completely back to normal, whatever that evolving definition of normal may be. Most important way to treat is to educate the athlete, yet this article has been a horrific attempt to do so.

• published: 08 Oct 2015
• views: 351