The Premier Integrative Applied Neurology and Therapeutic Laser Center of Arizona

Water Trauma & Concussions

Water Trauma – If I hit my head on water, can I still get a concussion?

We see many athletes in our office. Many are being seen for sustaining concussions during practice or games/competitions, including water sports. Water trauma can occur in sports like water skiing, wake boarding, and diving.

water trauma

Our most recent patient was a wake boarder who was experiencing severe GI pains and migraines as a result of sustaining approximately 4-5 concussions over the last 5 years or so, all from hitting her head on the water and she was really starting to feel the effects of them.

She had tried chiropractic and medications, PT, other natural remedies, but is still having debilitating headaches and terrible GI complaints. She was just getting ready to try Botox for the headaches and was ready to live with her terrible GI issues when she heard of our office, and our natural approach to healing concussions.

It all started with the evaluation.

Immediately, I was able to see on the oculography testing we perform that there were serious abnormalities for a person of her age. She was unable to look at a target without her eyes bouncing around, was unable to track a target smoothly in any direction, and was inaccurate when jumping from target to target. When evaluating gait and balance, she couldn’t control the right side of her body anywhere near how well she controlled her left side. Imagine how much energy she’s putting into concentrating and even walking or driving with all these issues going on.

We discussed what we found, where in the brain these problems reside, how they all related to her complaints and we discussed our plan to improve the function in all these areas to help her with the two main problems she was experiencing- Migraines and GI dysfunction.

She left very excited that someone finally was able to tell her why she was feeling like this, and was excited to hear that someone had a plan for her.

Keep following our blogs to stay up to date on some of the patients we are working with, and please refer any family or friends who are suffering for at least an evaluation, to see if we can help them too.

 

Recent Posts

Janine Crifasi, DC, CCST

Dr. Janine Crifasi, our newest team member at AZ Chiropractic Neurology, is originally from New York – which explains the accent. She attended Life Chiropractic College West and was the Centennial class’s Most Outstanding Graduate. She practiced in the Bay Area until moving closer to family to raise her son who is attending college.

Dr. Janine is committed to learning and educating people to change their awareness about their bodies’ potential and empowering them with unique methods of retraining their brains to maximize their quality of life through neuroplasticity. Her passion to help others puts her patients at ease and makes her a highly sought-after community speaker. Prior to coming to Chandler, she owned a center specializing in kids with learning disabilities and served as the northeast clinical director of a functional neurology practice, overseeing several functional neurology clinics. 

She has completed her post-doctoral clinical neuroscience studies in Functional Neurology through the Carrick Institute for Graduate Studies and has successfully completed the clinical exam and is now board eligible for the written portion. She is a Board Certified Doctor of Chiropractic for over 26 years. She has received additional extensive training in Spinal Trauma, and the Activator Method, and has a certification in Postural Neurology. 

In an effort to better serve her patients, Dr. Crifasi completed postdoctoral specialty training in blood chemistry, thyroid chemistry, brain chemistry, neuro-immune, and neuro-endocrine functional medicine. This knowledge of the brain-gut axis, and the mechanisms that impact our health, allow her to provide patients with easily implemented modifications enhancing improved lifestyle and nutraceutical recommendations as needed.