The Latest in Concussion Management for Hockey Players
Hockey is one of the most fast-paced and high-impact sports in Canada, which is why concussions remain one of the biggest concerns for players, parents, and coaches. From youth leagues to competitive teams, players experience rapid changes in speed, sudden stops, body contact, and unexpected falls (all of which increase the risk of head and neck injuries).
At Westside Chiropractic in Calgary, we work closely with athletes who are recovering from concussions and those who want to protect themselves from the long-term impact of repeated head trauma. New research continues to highlight how essential the cervical spine is in both the cause and recovery of concussions, making chiropractic care an important part of athlete safety.
Why Concussions Happen So Often in Hockey
Hockey players experience unique forces that contribute to concussions:
High-speed collisions
Sudden direction changes
Body contact during checks
Falls onto the ice
Whiplash-like head movements
Even when the head isn’t directly struck, the brain can shift inside the skull from a rapid acceleration or deceleration…a common mechanism in hockey incidents.
A Canadian commentary published in the Journal of the Canadian Chiropractic Association emphasized that concussions often involve both the brain and the cervical spine, meaning the neck plays a bigger role than previously understood.
The Neck’s Critical Role in Concussion Symptoms
Many common post-concussion symptoms – headaches, dizziness, blurred vision, neck pain, and difficulty with concentration – often traced back to dysfunction in the upper cervical spine.
Here’s why the neck matters so much:
The upper vertebrae (C1 and C2) help control balance, eye movement, and head position.
Tight or injured neck muscles can affect blood flow to the brain.
Restricted joint movement can increase headaches and dizziness.
Poor cervical alignment can prolong neurological symptoms.
A clinical analysis published in Journal of Contemporary Chiropractic showed improvements in post-concussion symptoms after correcting cervical misalignments, especially in the upper neck.
How Chiropractors Support Concussion Recovery
Concussion management requires a multi-layered approach, and chiropractic care plays a supportive role in reducing symptoms, restoring movement, and addressing the mechanical issues that other providers may overlook.
1. Cervical Spine Evaluation and Adjustments
The neck is often injured during a concussion. At Westside we:
Look for restricted motion
Check muscle tension
Identify patterns of compensation
Assess joint alignment
2. Soft Tissue Therapy and Mobility Work
Concussions can often lead to stiff, guarded or overactive muscles around the shoulders and neck. This tension can worsen symptoms, especially headaches and dizziness. We incorporate techniques like targeted stretching and myofascial release to improve circulation, and reduce inflammation.
3. Sensorimotor and Neurofunctional Rehabilitation
After a concussion. The brain and body can lose some ability to coordinate movements. Many athletes notice issues with balance, tracking objects, and/or reacting quickly.
We provide exercises to retrain:
Eye-head coordination
Reaction time
Balance
Deep neck flexor strength
4. Return-to-Play Guidance
We help athletes and families understand each stage of the return-to-play protocol. Players are closely monitored for physical or cognitive flare-ups as they reintroduce light aerobic exercises, sport-specific movements and non-contact drills.
Why Hockey Players Trust Westside Chiropractic
Calgary has a massive hockey community, from youths to adult rec teams. Westside understands the demand hockey plays on an athlete’s body, especially during the winter seasons when games, travel and training increase in frequency.
We don’t just focus on the head, we look at the entire body. Check out this review about our injury recovery program:
“Being a very active, multi sports athlete I unfortunately do get injured from time to time.
I am always recovering very quickly after a treatment or two from Dr.Robin Scholz.
Got an incredible help with my feet and knee problems and was always able to resume my activities very quickly.
My recent back injury got much better after one treatment and he always thoroughly explains what’s wrong and how to get better not only with the onside treatment, but what kind of stretches and treatment you can do at home to speed up the recovery.
Great clinic to get you back on your feet again.”
-Zosia
To learn more about concussions themselves (what they are, symptoms to watch for, and when to seek help) read our blog here.
Concussion care is evolving quickly especially in sports like hockey where neck injuries are common. While rest and medical evaluations are essential, chiropractic care offers an important piece of the recovery process, partially when it comes to cervical spine support.
At Westside Chiropractic, we are here to support your recovery journey with evidence-backed, athlete-focused care. Book an appointment today and let us help you rebuild stability for on and off the ice.
