In 2003 I had two “mild” concussions within 4 months of each other. I suffered many confusing and disabling symptom. Over the next 12 years I was rear ended two more times and struck by a van as a pedestrian. I was shaken hard by someone who thought they were expressing love and I was adjusted very aggressively by two different overzealous osteopaths. Throughout that time and despite tens of thousands of dollars spent on traditional and alternative health care, I had very little recovery.
Through my own research and study I began to discover the new understanding and treatment methods that were evolving around concussion. Many of those I was able to implement myself, while others required finding practitioners with specialized concussion treatment training. It took me over 13 years to find my path to healing.
Along the way, many of the people who came to my general chiropractic practice for help with car, sports or other injuries from daily life presented with undiagnosed mild concussions. Others coming in for general aches and pains had un-addressed post-concussion syndrome from years before. As I counseled and treated these people word got out that I was the local guy to go to for concussion and post-concussion syndrome.
As my knowledge grew, I realized that helping people with concussion and post-concussion syndrome was my calling. I started the True Brain Concussion Center as a telehealth consultancy to give people around the country and world access to knowledge and guidance regarding PCS.
In healthcare, the general method is to identify a problem, give it a name, and then apply a specific protocol to solve the problem. That just doesn’t work with the Post-concussion Syndrome diagnosis. There is too much variety within PCS population in terms of health before injury, resulting symptoms and the reaction of the brain and body as time goes on. Each Post-concussion Syndrome patient has a different story and needs an individualized approach to their recovery.
I offer in depth analysis of each PCS patients symptoms and related systemic health. Once your big picture is clearer, the appropriate steps can be taken to return you to your optimal health.
I feel I was cursed to have had so many concussions, but I have been blessed with a purpose. That purpose is to share what I have learned and improve the life of others.
Dr. Jonathan B. Smith, DC, CSCP