The Short Answer Educational content only. Any suspected concussion warrants medical evaluation. Consult concussion specialists and treating providers before starting any new therapy. Chiropractic care can be safe after concussion when provided by concussion-trained chiropractor with appropriate assessment and technique selection. Cervical instability screening and vertebrobasilar insufficiency screening essential before any manipulation. Lower-force techniques including mobilization, instrument-assisted adjustment (Activator), and low-force spinal manipulation safer than high-velocity low-amplitude thrust in acute concussion. Some chiropractors specialize in functional neurology approaches (Carrick Institute) for concussion. Discussion with concussion specialist recommended before starting chiropractic care. Chiropractic care not replacement for evidence-based concussion rehabilitation but adjunctive for cervical dysfunction. Chiropractic care can be safe with appropriate assessment. Assessment and technique selection essential. Concussion-trained chiropractor recommended. Specialized training preferred. Discussion with concussion specialist recommended. Specialist discussion recommended. Assessment Before Chiropractic Treatment Cervical instability screening essential. Cervical instability screening essential. Vertebrobasilar insufficiency screening. VBI screening essential. Neurological screening. Neurological screening essential. Red flag symptoms screening. Red flag symptoms screening. Concussion history documentation. Concussion history documentation. Current symptom documentation. Current symptom documentation. Cervical range of motion assessment. Cervical ROM assessment. Postural assessment. Postural assessment. Palpation for tenderness and joint restriction. Palpation assessment. Safer Chiropractic Techniques for Concussion Mobilization (Grade I-IV). Mobilization safer than thrust. Instrument-assisted adjustment (Activator). Activator low-force. Drop table technique. Drop table low-force. Flexion-distraction technique. Flexion-distraction low-force. Sacro-Occipital Technique (SOT). SOT low-force. Applied kinesiology. Applied kinesiology low-force. Cranial adjustment. Cranial adjustment low-force. Soft tissue therapy. Soft tissue therapy safe. Manual muscle testing. Manual muscle testing safe. Techniques Requiring Caution High-velocity low-amplitude thrust. HVLA thrust caution acute. Upper cervical rotation manipulation. Upper cervical rotation caution. Full spine manipulation. Full spine manipulation caution. Whiplash-associated disorder caution. WAD caution. Acute concussion first 24-72 hours. Acute concussion caution. Functional Neurology Approach Carrick Institute training. Carrick Institute training. Neurological rehabilitation approach. Neurological rehab approach. Vestibular assessment and treatment. Vestibular assessment and treatment. Eye movement therapy. Eye movement therapy. Balance training. Balance training. Cognitive rehabilitation. Cognitive rehabilitation. Neurofeedback integration. Neurofeedback integration. Diplomate credential (DACNB). DACNB credential. Evidence for Chiropractic in Concussion Case series support. Case series support. Preliminary trials support. Preliminary trials support. Evidence for cervical dysfunction treatment. Cervical dysfunction evidence. Evidence for headache treatment. Headache evidence. Larger trials needed. Larger trials needed. Consensus statements acknowledge as adjunctive. Consensus statements acknowledge. Red Flags Requiring Immediate Medical Evaluation Severe worsening headache after treatment. Severe worsening headache. New neurological symptoms. New neurological symptoms. Vision changes. Vision changes. Slurred speech. Slurred speech. Facial weakness. Facial weakness. Weakness or numbness in extremities. Extremity weakness or numbness. Loss of consciousness. Loss of consciousness. Confusion. Confusion. Vertebral Artery Dissection Considerations Vertebral artery dissection rare but serious. VAD rare but serious. Symptoms include neck pain and headache. Symptoms include neck pain. Cervical manipulation VAD debate. Cervical manipulation VAD debate. VBI screening reduces risk. VBI screening reduces risk. Lower-force techniques reduce risk. Lower-force techniques. Discussion with concussion specialist. Specialist discussion. Finding a Concussion-Trained Chiropractor Carrick Institute directory. Carrick Institute directory. Functional neurology chiropractor (DACNB). Functional neurology chiropractor. Ask about concussion experience. Ask about concussion experience. Ask about technique preferences. Ask about technique preferences. Ask about assessment protocol. Ask about assessment protocol. Concussion clinic referral. Concussion clinic referral. Integration with medical team. Integration with medical team. Supporting Mobility Routine These exercises support chiropractic treatment through cervical mobility and nervous system regulation. JME 155 Diaphragmatic breathing supports vagal tone and parasympathetic regulation during concussion recovery. 10 breaths every 60-90 minutes. JME 14 Chin tucks reduce upper cervical tension common in concussion injury. 10 repetitions with 5-second holds. JME 1 Cervical rotation supports cerebral blood flow and nervous system regulation. 10 repetitions each direction. JME 150 Thoracic rotation restores breathing depth shallow during concussion recovery. 8 repetitions per direction. Start your 3-day free trial for joint-specific mobility programs that support nervous system regulation through concussion recovery. Common Mistakes About Chiropractic Care After Concussion Seeing chiropractor without concussion training. Concussion training essential. Skipping instability screening. Instability screening essential. Not discussing with concussion specialist. Specialist discussion recommended. High-velocity thrust in acute concussion. HVLA caution acute. Using instead of evidence-based treatments. Adjunctive not replacement. Can I see a chiropractor after concussion? Chiropractic care can be safe after concussion when provided by concussion-trained chiropractor with appropriate assessment. Cervical instability screening and vertebrobasilar insufficiency screening essential. Lower-force techniques safer than high-velocity thrust in acute concussion. Discussion with concussion specialist recommended before starting. Wait 24-72 hours after acute concussion before considering chiropractic. What chiropractic techniques are safest after concussion? Mobilization, instrument-assisted adjustment (Activator), drop table technique, flexion-distraction, Sacro-Occipital Technique (SOT), and soft tissue therapy considered safer than high-velocity low-amplitude thrust in concussion recovery. Functional neurology approach (Carrick Institute) offers comprehensive assessment. Technique selection based on individual assessment. What is functional neurology chiropractic? Functional neurology chiropractic uses neurological assessment and rehabilitation approach for brain injury, concussion, vestibular disorders, and neurological conditions. Carrick Institute provides training. Diplomate credential (DACNB) available. Approach includes vestibular treatment, eye movement therapy, balance training, and cognitive rehabilitation. Integration with medical team important. Should I tell my chiropractor I had a concussion? Yes, always tell chiropractor about concussion history including recent injury, current symptoms, treatments, and specialists involved. Concussion history affects assessment and technique selection. Chiropractor without concussion training may not appropriately modify approach. Concussion-trained chiropractor essential for concussion patients. How soon after concussion can I see a chiropractor? Wait 24-72 hours after acute concussion before considering chiropractic. Acute concussion first 24-48 hours requires rest and medical evaluation. Cervical treatment safer after acute period. Concussion specialist evaluation before chiropractic recommended. Timing decision based on symptom severity and individual assessment. References Patricios, J. S., et al. (2023). Consensus statement on concussion in sport: the 6th International Conference on Concussion in Sport, Amsterdam, October 2022. British Journal of Sports Medicine, 57(11), 695-711. PubMed Silverberg, N. D., et al. (2020). Management of concussion and mild traumatic brain injury: a synthesis of practice guidelines. Archives of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, 101(2), 382-393. PubMed