First New Treatment for Concussion in Decades

Sturgeon Bay, WI (PRWEB) June 25, 2013

The incidence of traumatic brain injury (cerebral concussion) has become a public health epidemic worldwide in recent years. In the United States, more than 3 million brain injuries yearly result in 220,000 hospitalizations, 52,000 deaths, and over 80,000 permanently disabled victims according to Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin Chiropractor and Naturopath Dr. J G Moellendorf, DC, ND, LCP.

The research team led by Linda Hasadsri at the Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota recently published Omega-3 Fatty Acids as a Putative Treatment for Traumatic Brain Injury. They note that concussions are the most common injury among American soldiers stationed in Iraq and Afghanistan, affecting over 300 per month. It also has a devastating impact on athletes injured during contact sports. Most noted symptoms are impairments in sensory and muscle functions but this often progresses to impairments to learning and perception, emotions, and psychosocial functions. They found very promising laboratory evidence for restoring brain and nerve function among injured victims by using high doses of docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) derived from cold water fish. The researchers concluded that while their results show promise in improving function in brain-injured animals and humans, it is too early to make any claims and more research needs to be done.

Other researchers have previously shown the benefits of DHA and EPA Omega-3 fatty acids in the treatment of brain trauma. Researcher Lawrence Roberts and his team published Surviving a Mine Explosion. Their paper relates the story of Randal McCloy, Jr., the sole survivor of 13 miners who were trapped for two days in the West Virginia Sago Coal Mine explosion on January 2, 2006. When rescued, McCloy was almost dead with almost no electrical brain activity due to carbon monoxide poisoning along with hemorrhaging and swelling of his brain. His doctors predicted that he would die shortly, or have permanent brain damage if he managed to survive. He was given 15 grams of DHA and EPA daily to help his brain rebuild. His electrical brain activity returned, and he gradually regained his ability to walk, talk, and see. Today, he is mostly able to function normally, and is married with children.

A case report titled Therapeutic Use of Omega-3 Fatty Acids in Severe Head Trauma was published by Dr. Michael Lewis and colleagues. A teenager was involved in a car accident, resulting in a severe concussion. While in a coma, surgery was done to relieve pressure on the brain from a subdural hematoma (bleeding on the brain). His doctors believed that his injuries would be fatal, or he would be a permanent vegetable at best. A gastric tube was used to feed him 16.5 grams of DHA and EPA and 6000 IU of vitamin D daily. He was able to attend his high school graduation at three months, and was discharged from the hospital four months after his brain injury. He continues to functionally improve with no adverse effects. His doctors relate that the Omega-3 fatty acids provide a foundation for rebuilding the brain and normalizing the ion balance while decreasing damage from free-radicals and the inflammatory process seen with brain injuries. Quoting Dr. Lewiss team, Early nutritional intervention in traumatic brain injury is underappreciated. Patients not fed within 5 and 7 days after traumatic brain injury have a 2- and 4-fold increased likelihood of death, respectively.

The addition of high doses of Omega-3 fatty acids is proving to be a major breakthrough in treating and recovering from traumatic brain injuries.

Using the latest research findings, Moellendorf Chiropractic Office, Ltd. uses a comprehensive package of Chiropractic care, decompression traction therapy, active therapeutic movement training, cold laser therapy, and nutrition for the natural treatment of neck and back pain along with other health conditions. Additional information about Chiropractic, Naturopathy, and other forms of natural health care is provided by Moellendorf Chiropractic Office, Ltd. at http://www.all-about-wellness.com.

About: Dr. J G Moellendorf, DC, ND, LCP Dr. J G Moellendorf, DC, ND, LCP attended the University of WisconsinSuperior where he majored in Physics and Mathematics, with a minor in art photography. While attending the University of MinnesotaMinneapolis, he assisted in research on ribosomal proteins. Completing his Chiropractic studies at Palmer College of Chiropractic in Davenport, Iowa, he graduated Cum Laude (with high honors) in 1983. He started Moellendorf Chiropractic Office, Ltd. in Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin in 1983. In 1996, Dr. Moellendorf was awarded his Doctorate in Naturopathy from Trinity School of Natural Health. In 2001, he received Chiropractics most prestigious award, the honorary Legion of Chiropractic Philosophers degree, for his thesis The Workings of Innate Intelligence in Obsessive/Compulsive and Addictive Behaviors. This paper was chosen for publishing in the book Philosophic Contemplations vol. 2 in 2002. In June of 2012, Dr. Moellendorf authored his first book titled Healthcares Best Kept Secret which can be ordered on Amazon. Dr. Moellendorf can be contacted by phone (920) 493-2126, fax (920) 743-1145, email jgmoellendorf(at)itol(dot)com, his website at http://www.all-about-wellness.com, or send a carrier pigeon to 44.84722N and 87.36416W.

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First New Treatment for Concussion in Decades