Recognizing the Symptoms of Mild Traumatic Brain Injuries (MTBI)
Traumatic brain injuries have gained increased attention in recent years, but not all are severe or immediately obvious. Mild traumatic brain injuries (MTBIs), such as concussions, often result from everyday incidents—like falls, car accidents, or sports injuries. The term “mild” refers only to the initial trauma—not to the potential long-term consequences.
Because symptoms like blurred vision or brief memory lapses may fade quickly, many people dismiss the incident and never seek further care. However, the effects of a mild brain injury can surface weeks, months, or even years later—and are often misattributed to unrelated issues.
Common but often overlooked symptoms of MTBI include cognitive difficulties, fatigue, headaches, dizziness, and emotional changes like anxiety or depression. Left untreated, these symptoms can linger or worsen over time.
Common Symptoms of MTBI:
Fatigue
Chronic fatigue following an MTBI may be related to conditions like Chronic Fatigue Syndrome or Fibromyalgia. In many cases, this results from an undiagnosed neck injury that disrupts proper nervous system function—even if symptoms appear long after the trauma.
Vertigo or Dizziness
Balance is controlled by the vestibular system, which includes structures in the upper neck and brainstem. If communication between these areas is disrupted due to injury, it can result in persistent dizziness or vertigo.
Headaches
Irritation to nerves and blood vessels—often stemming from misalignment in the upper cervical spine after an MTBI—can trigger recurring headaches. Upper cervical care can help reduce this irritation and provide long-term relief.
Unfortunately, many individuals experience changes in behavior, sleep, focus, or physical stability after a head injury and never associate those changes with the trauma. As a result, they often accept their symptoms as “just part of life” and go without proper treatment.
The Importance of NUCCA Chiropractic
NUCCA (National Upper Cervical Chiropractic Association) chiropractic care focuses on correcting subtle misalignments of the upper cervical spine—specifically the atlas (C1) vertebra. Even small shifts in this area can affect brainstem function, blood flow, cerebrospinal fluid circulation, and nervous system communication.
Unlike traditional chiropractic methods, NUCCA uses a precise, gentle, and non-invasive approach to restore the head and neck to their proper alignment. This correction helps remove pressure from the nervous system and allows the body to heal naturally—without drugs or surgery.
If you or someone you love has experienced a head injury, no matter how minor it may have seemed, a NUCCA evaluation could be a critical first step toward long-term relief and recovery.
To schedule your NUCCA evaluation, click the button below.
Want to hear from people like you? Check out our patient results here.
Dr. Craig Lapenski at Advanced Spinal Care, in Graham, Washington is one of 27 Board Certified NUCCA Doctors worldwide. His clinic serves the highest quality upper cervical care in the Pacific Northwest. Dr. Lapenski also serves a number of patients who are out of state including Alaska, Arizona, California, Hawaii, Kansas, Montana, Nevada, New York, and more! He is uniquely trained to correct problems in the upper cervical spine (upper neck). This vital area is intimately connected to the central nervous system and problems in this area have been shown to be an underlying cause of a variety of different health problems, including migraines, headaches, fibromyalgia, vertigo, neck pain, back pain, and more. More information can be found on our website at https://www.nuccawashington.com/