Learn the Signs of a Brain Injury
- Brainz Magazine
- Sep 25
- 4 min read
Dr. Keelin Regan-Reed, PT, DPT, is often referred to as the "Nerve Whisperer" by her clients and has been called a "Human MRI" by her peers. She is an Orthopedic and Neural Manual Physical Therapist specializing in Neural Manipulation and the published author of Fix It Yourself! A Self-Help Guide To Treating Common Muscular Aches And Pains.
Your brain holds the contents of the central nervous system and is protected by your cranium. It is by far the most complex of all human organs. Your brain is 60% fat and 40% water, making it the fattiest organ. It uses 20% of our total body blood circulation, possesses over 100 billion neurons, and can produce up to 38 watts of electrical current an hour. It can be said that the brain is the main electrical generator of the human body.
Have you experienced a head injury or concussion and not known it?
Your brain processes and cleans itself during sleep. It detoxifies, builds new brain cells, and flushes nutrients and blood flow. This very important homeostasis and balancing act is what helps regulate and support the rest of our body and organs. When an injury occurs to our brain, the basic functions are disrupted and can be seriously damaged. The question is, what defines an injury or trauma to the brain? We used to think losing consciousness was the most important factor in determining a concussion or TBI (traumatic brain injury). This is not the case.
The definition of a concussion is a temporary disturbance in brain function caused by a blow, jolt, single velocity impact, or repeated impacts to the head. Brain bruising, bleeding, and fluid swelling are what result and create damage to the brain. When certain areas of the brain are impacted, it can result in decreased blood supply or increased blood and fluid swelling, which creates pressure changes in the cranium (skull).
Headaches are the number one sign of pressure changes in the cranium. Confusion, fogginess, nausea, memory changes, vomiting, and behavior changes are all signs of pressure dysfunction in the brain. Chronic dysfunction, if not treated, can lead to long-term behavioral changes, learning disabilities, migraines, tinnitus, memory issues, and even problems with the health of our GI system and organs.
Whiplash injuries can have massive implications on the vagus and vascular systems. Many of us think that if we didn’t impact or hit our head, then a brain injury or concussion did not happen. I can’t emphasize enough that this is just not true. Having your neck thrashed around front to back or side to side can cause your brain to bounce off the cranial wall and sustain some level of bruising. It will also impact your cervical spine, muscles of the neck, vagus and cranial nerves, and vascular blood supply. This can all affect how your brain receives healthy circulation and pressure regulation.
Typical incidents that can cause head injuries that go unnoticed
Trampoline injuries or wipeouts to the neck or head
Bike or skateboard falls
Ski injuries involving speed and falls (impact to the head is not required)
Inner ear, sinus, or meningeal brain infections caused by viral, bacterial, or fungal sources
Car accidents involving whiplash, either front to back or side to side
Falling off a horse or object
Running into someone, or someone running into you, suddenly
Being hit by an object (ball, stick, person, etc.)
Getting hit in the face by an object or person
Any incident involving high velocity with a sudden stop
Signs you might have had a brain injury that has gone untreated
Headaches
Ability to focus and concentrate
Anxiety or depression
Changes in mood (personality changes, flat affect, or reduced emotional responses to friends and family)
Sleep disturbances
Tinnitus
Memory loss
Auditory comprehension difficulties
Fogginess or lightheadedness
Sensitivity to light, sound, touch, or taste
Balance, performance, and coordination challenges
Ear or eye pain
Mouth or teeth pain
Nausea or loss of appetite
Protection
Our brains are so precious that we must do everything in our power to protect, care for, and develop them. Good brain health depends on good general health maintenance. This includes a healthy lifestyle, adequate sleep, good eating habits, and regular physical activity. If you or someone you know has experienced a head injury, seek care and treatment options.
Why neural manipulation?
The Manual Neural Manipulation technique can be profoundly effective in treating brain and neck injuries. Find a manual therapist who specializes in neural and cranial work to help improve the function of your brain. We have only been given one brain, and there is no return policy.
Neural Manipulation is supportive of our nervous system, having a tremendous impact on healing. Read 5 Incredible Health Improvements Through Nerve Manipulation Technique to learn more.
Read more from Dr. Keelin Regan-Reed
Dr. Keelin Regan-Reed, PT, DPT, Orthopedic and Neural Manual Physical Therapist
Dr. Keelin Regan-Reed, PT, DPT, is a licensed manual Doctor of Physical Therapy specializing in Neural Manipulation. She is able to "listen" to the cranial rhythm in the brain and body by following the cerebral spinal fluid flow as it works around the brain and spinal cord to the peripheral nerves throughout the body. Just like a clinician can "feel" for the pulse in your wrist to listen to your blood flow and heartbeat, the fluid of the brain and nerves has a similar "feel" of pressure changes. Our bodies hug around lesions and restrictions, thus changing the rhythm of the fluid. Dr. Keelin can detect this change and follow where the lesion is and make the necessary corrections and/or releases so the body can then heal on its own.
