Before the Season Starts: Concussions, Young Athletes, and the Neck
Summer camps are winding down and fall sports are about to begin. For parents, this is the season of equipment checks, physicals, and forms. It is also a good moment to think about concussions before one happens. Most parents know the basics of recognizing a concussion. Fewer know that the same force that injures the brain almost always travels through the neck, and that the neck injury is the part most likely to be missed.
What A Concussion Is, In Plain Terms
A concussion is a mild traumatic brain injury caused by a sudden force to the head or body. It does not require a direct blow to the head. Most concussions settle within a few weeks with proper rest and a careful return to activity. Research suggests roughly fifteen percent of high school athletes experience a sports-related concussion each year, so this is not a rare event. Recognizing one early and removing the athlete from play is the single most important step. Signs include headache, confusion, dizziness, sensitivity to light or sound, nausea, and changes in mood or sleep.
The Neck Injury That Travels With The Hit
When a young athlete takes a hit, the head moves rapidly, and that motion is absorbed by the cervical spine. The atlas (C1) and axis (C2) sit directly below the brainstem. When the impact disturbs their position, it can influence how the nervous system regulates balance, focus, and sleep. This matters because the lingering symptoms of a concussion and the symptoms of an upper cervical injury overlap heavily. When recovery stalls, undetected upper cervical involvement is often part of the reason. The brain injury gets evaluated.
The neck injury gets missed.
Why This Is A Core Focus Of Our Practice
Concussion care is not an add-on here. The clinic is built around the upper cervical region and its relationship to the nervous system, supported by objective imaging and measured re-evaluation. That combination is well suited to the part of concussion recovery that other settings are not always equipped to address. It works alongside the standard concussion protocol, including medical evaluation and return-to-play guidance, not in place of either.
What Parents Can Do Before And After A Hit
• Make sure your athlete and their coaches know the signs of concussion
• Take any suspected concussion seriously and follow removal-from-play guidance
• Watch for symptoms that linger past the expected recovery window
• Consider an upper cervical evaluation if recovery stalls or symptoms persist
• Keep the lines open, since young athletes often underreport symptoms
Going into the season informed is the best protection. If a hit does happen, you will know what
to watch for and where to turn.
Ready to see if upper cervical care fits your athlete's game plan?
Dr. Amanthi Demuth, Dr. Tiffany England, and the team at Demuth Spinal Care and Concussion Center in Sartell, MN are available for new patient consultations. You can book online in just a few minutes.
Prefer to learn more about upper cervical care first? Click here.
Medical Disclaimer
This article is provided for educational purposes only and is not intended to diagnose, treat, or replace individual medical advice. If you are experiencing persistent headaches, dizziness, neck pain, or symptoms following a concussion or injury, please consult a qualified healthcare provider. Individual results with upper cervical care vary. Demuth Spinal Care and Concussion Center evaluates each patient to determine whether care is appropriate for their specific situation.