Earlier this trimester, National University of Health Sciences (NUHS) welcomed alumnus Steven Paliakas, DC’00, to share key insights on concussion care in clinical practice with students in the doctor of chiropractic medicine program.
Dean of Lincoln College of Post-professional, Graduate and Continuing Education Jenna Glenn, DC ‘09, ND ‘12, MS ‘12, selected Dr. Paliakas to present this topic as he is an expert in concussion management. According to Dr. Glenn, the purpose of these presentations is to teach beyond the core curriculum and help students connect with specialists.
Dr. Paliakas earned his Doctor of Chiropractic Medicine (DC) from NUHS in 2000. He owns and operates Nova Rehabilitation Acupuncture Chiropractic in Wheaton, Ill. He completed 300 hours of post graduate training in acupuncture and 100 hours for chronic pain. Additionally, he is certified in prenatal chiropractic care.
Concussion Management
During his presentation, Dr. Paliakas discussed the first step when treating a concussion is to rule out any red flags through imaging and referring to emergency care, if necessary. Dr. Paliakas emphasizes that recovery is not solely based on symptom resolution.
His treatment plan is usually four sessions long. He starts by explaining the process to his patient to eliminate any uncertainty and fear.
“Understanding the problem can take the fear out of it, and concussion can be very frightening. So, I do a slightly less technical spiel with them to help them understand what concussion is, and I present to them whatever their symptoms are and the timeline of their recovery. That gives them a sense of validation, encouragement and hope. Presenting a treatment plan is critical the first time a patient comes for care,” Dr. Paliakas said.
Session one includes an initial evaluation, where he performs a musculoskeletal assessment and immediate treatment for neck pain. During session two, he conducts the Buffalo Concussion Treadmill Test to establish a safe exertion margin. He assesses eye tracking and vestibular system function during session three and recommends an anti-inflammatory nutritional diet during the fourth and final sessions.
Chiropractic Role in Concussion Care
Dr. Paliakas highlighted that chiropractic physicians with neuro-based training and expertise in rehabilitation are uniquely equipped to treat concussion patients. He incorporates techniques such as dry needling, spinal manipulation and targeted rehabilitation exercises to support patients in managing their symptoms and progressing in their recovery.
Chiropractic doctors provide holistic care that addresses more than the physical symptoms of concussions. Dr. Paliakas makes sure to educate his patients on their condition and recovery process, provides nutritional guidance to ensure an anti-inflammatory diet and recommends supplements to support brain recovery. Additionally, he recognizes the emotional toll of chronic concussion symptoms and refers patients to appropriate mental health resources when needed.
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