Football Concussions: Risks, Recovery Time, and Treatment
Author: Dr. Robert Clark, DC - Health First Chiropractic
Published: 2017/03/05 - Updated: 2026/02/10
Publication Type: Informative
Category Topic: Traumatic Brain Injury - Related Publications
Contents: Synopsis - Introduction - Main - Insights, Updates
Synopsis: This research examines football as a leading cause of sports-related concussions, accounting for 47.1 percent of all reported concussions among high school athletes with the highest incident rate at 6.4 per 10,000 athletic exposures. Written by a board-certified chiropractor and published through a disability-focused platform, the information provides valuable guidance for athletes, parents, coaches, and individuals with disabilities who participate in contact sports. The article addresses the compounding dangers of repeated head trauma when insufficient recovery time occurs between injuries, offers evidence-based treatment options through upper cervical chiropractic care, and warns about long-term disability risks that can manifest by age 40, making it particularly relevant for those managing or preventing neurological conditions - Disabled World (DW).
Introduction
Playing Football Among Leading Causes of Concussion
Concussions are a major problem among football players at both the amateur and professional level. According to Prevacus, Inc., football causes 47.1 percent of reported concussions among high school athletes, dwarfing the percentages reported by the other sports. It also has the highest concussion rate, with 6.4 of them reported per 10,000 athletic incidents.
Other injuries to the head and neck are surely just as common if not more so. It is also important to note that getting older doesn't make this danger go away. In fact, NFL players often suffer from the same types of damage.
Main Content
The problem with concussions in sports is compounded by the fact that repeated head injuries are more likely to cause lasting damage when the brain isn't given sufficient time to heal between incidents. Unfortunately, there is often heavy pressure to get back on the field too soon. Players should adamantly resist this pressure. Fortunately, many of the side effects sustained from a concussion can be alleviated through upper cervical chiropractic treatments.
Uncorrected misalignments of the upper neck can result in headaches, migraines, dizziness, nausea, lack of coordination, and mental fogginess. Upper cervical chiropractic treatments can reestablish proper communication within the central nervous system, alleviating the issues endured from a concussion.
"Anyone who plays contact football needs to be well aware of these dangers and insist on safe practices. No matter how exciting the idea of playing may be at the time, a player won't think it was so fun if they're disabled by the time they're 40. It is well worth it to be cautious now and seek chiropractic care following a concussion," said Dr. Robert Clarke, DC of Health First Chiropractic.
Dr. Clarke also noted that football isn't the only source of sports-related concussions or head and neck injuries. Being beaned by baseballs, colliding while playing hockey, and even taking a soccer ball to the head can bring on concussions and related problems.
Although, wearing protective gear is important for everyone, even those who don't play sports. Auto accidents come in second to sports as a cause of these types of damage. Good driving habits, the use of seatbelts, and using cars with modern safety features are all ways to lower the risk of accidents and accident-related injuries.
Dr. Robert Clark, DC is the chiropractor of Health First Chiropractic. He graduated cum laude from Palmer College of Chiropractic and was board certified in 2010. The clinic focuses on upper cervical adjustments to reduce pain and help treat other conditions.
Insights, Analysis, and Developments
Editorial Note: The statistics presented in this analysis carry particular weight for anyone involved in contact sports, whether as participants, parents, or healthcare providers. While football's cultural significance in American athletics remains undeniable, the 47.1 percent concussion rate among high school players represents more than just numbers - it reflects thousands of young people facing potential neurological consequences that may not fully manifest until decades later. The emphasis on adequate recovery time challenges the traditional sports culture that often glorifies playing through pain, and the discussion of upper cervical chiropractic interventions offers a proactive approach beyond the standard "rest and wait" protocol. As research continues to uncover the cumulative effects of subconcussive impacts alongside diagnosed concussions, the responsibility falls on everyone connected to contact sports to prioritize brain health over short-term competitive gains, recognizing that today's game-time decisions can determine tomorrow's quality of life - Disabled World (DW).Attribution/Source(s): This quality-reviewed publication was selected for publishing by the editors of Disabled World (DW) due to its relevance to the disability community. Originally authored by Dr. Robert Clark, DC - Health First Chiropractic and published on 2017/03/05, this content may have been edited for style, clarity, or brevity.