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Both CT scans and MRIs create detailed images of the brain, but they work in very different ways, and each has its place in neurological care.

A CT scan uses a series of X-rays that are assembled into a cross-sectional image of your brain. The machine resembles a large donut, so you are never fully enclosed. CT scans are fast, typically completed in just a few minutes, making them especially useful in urgent situations.

An MRI uses a powerful magnet rather than radiation to generate images, allowing for greater detail of the brain's soft tissue structures. Most MRI machines require you to lie on a table that slides into a narrow tube, which can feel uncomfortable for patients with claustrophobia. Open MRI machines offer a less confining alternative and are often better tolerated, though they may not produce the same level of image detail as a traditional closed MRI. Your neurologist will recommend the most appropriate type based on your specific needs.

If anxiety about the scan is a concern, your doctor may prescribe a mild sedative to help you relax beforehand. Should that be the case, please arrange for someone to drive you to and from your appointment, as you should not drive after taking the medication.

The terms are often used interchangeably, and for good reason. A concussion is a type of mild traumatic brain injury, but understanding the distinction can help clarify what you or a loved one may have experienced.

A traumatic brain injury (TBI) refers to any injury to the brain caused by an external force. This includes penetrating trauma such as a gunshot wound, blunt trauma from a blow to the head, or blast injury from an explosion. These injuries can range in severity from mild to moderate to severe.

A concussion is a mild traumatic brain injury defined by two things: an external force applied to the brain, and some alteration in consciousness at the time of injury. That alteration does not have to mean losing consciousness; in fact, most concussions do not involve passing out at all. It may be as brief and subtle as a moment of feeling dazed, confused, or "foggy." Some people describe it as feeling like they were on autopilot, or as though a few frames were missing from a film.

When someone cannot clearly recall the events immediately after the injury, this is known as post-traumatic amnesia, and it is itself a form of altered consciousness that can indicate a concussion, even in the absence of any other obvious symptoms.

If you experienced any of these changes after a head injury, it is worth discussing with a neurologist, regardless of whether you felt "seriously hurt" at the time.

Most people recover from a concussion within a few weeks. But for some, symptoms don't resolve on their expected timeline, and that's when we begin to talk about persistent post-concussion symptoms, sometimes referred to as post-concussion syndrome.

The symptoms are the same as those that appear immediately after a concussion: headaches, dizziness, fatigue, difficulty concentrating, memory problems, sensitivity to light or noise, and changes in mood or sleep. What makes them "persistent" is simply their duration, symptoms that continue beyond the typical recovery window, often lasting weeks to months after the initial injury.

It's important to understand that a prolonged recovery is not a sign of weakness or exaggeration. The brain is complex, and individual recovery timelines vary for reasons that are not always fully understood. Factors such as prior concussion history, age, other medical conditions, and the nature of the injury can all influence how long symptoms last.

Treatment is tailored to the individual and may include gradual return-to-activity protocols, targeted therapies for specific symptoms such as vestibular rehabilitation for dizziness or vision therapy for visual disturbances, and strategies to support cognitive and emotional recovery. With the right care, most patients with persistent post-concussion symptoms do improve significantly over time

Recovery from a concussion is different for everyone, but the outlook is generally encouraging. Most people return to feeling like themselves within a month, and the vast majority, even those with slower recoveries, are back to their normal activities within a year. A smaller subset of patients, estimated between 5 and 15 percent, experience symptoms that persist beyond that first year. While there is no way to predict exactly where your recovery will fall on that spectrum, early evaluation and appropriate treatment can make a meaningful difference in how quickly and completely you heal. That's precisely why we don't believe in a "wait and see" approach; the sooner we understand what's happening, the sooner we can help.

Yes! In fact, early movement is one of the most important things you can do for your recovery. Research has shifted away from prolonged rest, and we now know that gentle aerobic activity, introduced early, supports healing and can help prevent symptoms from becoming persistent.

The key is starting gradually. A good initial goal is to work up to 30 minutes of walking per day at a pace that slightly elevates your heart rate. Think of it as exercise that feels easy; you should be able to hold a conversation. Your symptoms are your guide: if you develop a headache, dizziness, or any other concussion symptom during activity, stop for the day. The next day, try a shorter or gentler walk. The goal is to find the level of activity your brain can tolerate and build from there, rather than pushing through discomfort.

This approach, known as subsymptom threshold exercise, is one of the cornerstones of modern concussion recovery. Your neurologist can help tailor an activity plan based on where you are in your recovery and which symptoms you're managing.

The short answer is: some may help, but none should be started without guidance from your provider. The supplement industry is largely unregulated, and what works for one patient may be unnecessary, or even counterproductive, for another, depending on symptoms, medications, and overall health.

That said, there is emerging evidence supporting certain supplements for specific post-concussion symptoms:

Fatigue: Vitamin B12 deficiency has been associated with fatigue and cognitive sluggishness. Supplementation may be beneficial, particularly if levels are low.

Headaches: Vitamin B2 (riboflavin) has a reasonable evidence base for migraine prevention, and magnesium, particularly magnesium glycinate or oxide, has been shown in multiple studies to reduce the frequency and severity of migraine-type headaches, which are common after concussion.

Memory and Attention: Ginkgo biloba has been studied for cognitive support and may offer modest benefit for the memory difficulties some patients experience after a concussion. Saffron extract has shown promise for attention in at least one clinical trial, though the evidence remains limited, and larger studies are needed.

Omega-3 Fatty Acids: Though not widely mentioned in older literature, omega-3s, particularly DHA, have growing support in concussion research for their roles in neuronal membrane repair and in reducing neuroinflammation.

CoQ10: Early research suggests that COQ10 may support recovery after concussion by reducing oxidative stress and mitochondrial dysfunction in brain cells, though robust clinical trials in humans remain limited. Benefits may include decreased headaches, improved energy, and decreased cognitive fogginess.

It is essential to discuss any supplement with your neurologist before starting. Supplements can interact with prescription medications, affect blood clotting, and produce side effects that may complicate your recovery. Your treatment team will help identify which options are appropriate for you and ensure you are using evidence-backed formulations at the right doses.

Physical therapy plays an important role in concussion recovery for many patients, though whether it's recommended and for how long depends on your specific symptoms and how your recovery is progressing.

For patients who weren't exercising regularly before their injury, or who have health conditions that make independent exercise difficult, physical therapy provides a safe, supervised environment to reintroduce aerobic activity and gradually build tolerance. This structured approach helps ensure you're moving at the right intensity without aggravating symptoms.

If dizziness or balance problems are part of your recovery, your neurologist may recommend a specialized form of physical therapy called vestibular rehabilitation. This targets the inner ear and brain pathways responsible for balance and spatial orientation, and has strong evidence supporting its use after a concussion. Most vestibular rehabilitation programs last several weeks, with the duration tailored to your progress and symptom resolution.

Physical therapists trained in concussion care may also offer dry needling, a technique similar to acupuncture that involves inserting fine needles into areas of muscle tension. This can be effective for managing post-concussion headaches and neck or upper back pain, which are common after the whiplash-type forces that often accompany head injuries.

As with all aspects of concussion recovery, physical therapy works best when it is coordinated with your neurologist's overall treatment plan rather than pursued in isolation.

Yes, chiropractic care can be a valuable component of a comprehensive concussion recovery plan, particularly for patients experiencing headaches, neck pain, and musculoskeletal symptoms that commonly accompany head injuries.

Many concussions occur alongside significant cervical spine trauma; the same forces that injure the brain frequently cause whiplash-type injuries to the neck. Cervicogenic headache, which originates from dysfunction in the joints, muscles, and nerves of the cervical spine, is one of the most common and undertreated contributors to persistent post-concussion headaches. Spinal manipulation and soft tissue mobilization techniques used by chiropractors have demonstrated effectiveness in addressing cervicogenic pain, and several studies support their use as part of a multimodal approach to post-concussion care.

A 2019 systematic review published in the Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics found evidence supporting cervical spine manipulation to reduce headache following concussion, and the International Headache Society's cervicogenic headache guidelines recognize manual therapy as a first-line treatment. Chiropractic care has also been shown to complement vestibular rehabilitation when dizziness has a cervical component, a condition sometimes called cervicogenic dizziness.

A typical course of chiropractic treatment for post-concussion symptoms generally spans six to twelve weeks, with visit frequency tapering as symptoms improve. As with all aspects of concussion recovery, chiropractic care is most effective when coordinated with your neurologist to ensure that treatment targets the right diagnosis and does not overlap unnecessarily with other therapies.

Regular physical activity is one of the most well-supported strategies for brain health, with aerobic exercise in particular shown to promote the growth of new neural connections, improve cerebral blood flow, and reduce the risk of cognitive decline. Even moderate activity, like brisk walking most days of the week, appears to offer meaningful benefit. Two days per week of light resistance and weight training rounds out your exercise regimen and can help to maintain your long-term cognitive health.

Sleep is equally critical, as the brain uses deep sleep to clear metabolic waste products through the glymphatic system, consolidate memories, and repair cellular damage. Consistently poor or insufficient sleep is linked to increased inflammation and a higher long-term risk of neurodegenerative disease. Aim for 7-9 hours each night with a consistent bedtime. Diet also plays a meaningful role. Patterns like the Mediterranean diet or MIND type diet, which are rich in omega-3 fatty acids, antioxidants, and whole foods, are associated with slower cognitive aging and reduced neuroinflammation. Taking a daily multivitamin can help fill nutritional gaps, and minimizing ultra-processed foods, managing blood sugar, and staying well-hydrated round out a nutritional approach that supports the brain over the long term.

Attending to sensory health is an often-overlooked but important piece of the puzzle. Untreated hearing loss in particular has been linked to accelerated cognitive decline and increased dementia risk, and research suggests that correcting it with hearing aids may help reduce that risk. Routine hearing and vision checks allow for early intervention, keeping the brain engaged with its environment and reducing the cognitive strain that comes with unaddressed sensory impairment.