Possible asssist to concussions article.

[oldtrainerguy28 478]

http://www.thestar.com/sports/hockey/article/1079268--collars-around-the-neck-may-save-athletes-heads

[Katzenjammer 1]

http://www.thestar.c...-athletes-heads

wow, that's really interesting. My neurologist told me that he believes dehydration is a major factor - less fluids overall, perhaps more sloshing around of the grey matter.

[Chadd 916]

It just seems that restricting blood flow out of the brain would have a negative impact somewhere along the line.

[wrangler 157]

That's what I was thinking. I thought I posted something, but must have had a disconnect somewhere.

I'd like to see a bit more on "no downside".

[oldtrainerguy28 478]

I didnt read anywhere that it said restricted blood flow just pressure in the area and if you have ever had headphones around your neck.........you I am sure can understand how minimal of the pressure that would be.

[wrangler 157]

I'm not saying it's a lot, just that I'd like more info. I understood that restricting blood flow was the whole point -- slowing the blood's exit from the head. That's the purpose for the pressure on the veins.

[oldtrainerguy28 478]

I believe that is why they want more research done ASAP so that if it is an issue then nothing will go ahead further.........however if it was something as simple as this man how nice would it be to see so many less people being injured on those "light bumbs".

[Chadd 916]

I didnt read anywhere that it said restricted blood flow just pressure in the area..

The neck pressures required to keep the skull similarly full of movement retarding blood...

By constricting the neck just a little, however, the “internal” jugular veins that drain blood from the skull are narrowed...

You're pinching the jugular and that results in excess blood pooling in/around the brain. It's an interesting concept but one that certainly sounds like it could potentially have an unwanted side effect.

[Axxion89 32]

I personally don't like any idea that alters your internal body to prevent something that occurs naturally. The human body is not designed to sustain the impacts that cause concussions (hence why we get them) and blood flow to the head is something that is very important and if complications arise, very deadly (strokes). Not saying this is a bad idea to research more but I personally wouldn't try it until there is very clear and definitive long-term testing that shows zero side effects.

[Law Goalie 147]

The article seems to be suggesting that the pressure both on the neck and inside the skull need only to be increased by a tiny amount to produce desirable effects. The best example seems to be a snug shirt collar. While I wouldn't want to do heavy exercise with a tight collar for reasons of comfort, if it helped to reduce the severity of concussions, I'd damn well get used to it. It's not like people die of brain embolisms from wearing properly-fitted wetsuits or shirts one neck size too small. As Katz mentioned, something as simple as light dehydration could reduce pressure in unhelpful ways; conversely, drinking a little extra water might be beneficial. People have also experimented with blood doping for a long, long time, and while in large amounts it can cause problems, a little extra plasma and pressure seems to be largely unproblematic.

[Chadd 916]

The article seems to be suggesting that the pressure both on the neck and inside the skull need only to be increased by a tiny amount to produce desirable effects. The best example seems to be a snug shirt collar. While I wouldn't want to do heavy exercise with a tight collar for reasons of comfort, if it helped to reduce the severity of concussions, I'd damn well get used to it.

I think most of us would do it if there isn't a down side. It's certainly something worth keeping an eye on, but not something I would suggest trying until there is more research done on human subjects.

[wrangler 157]

I'd be more concerned with people who have other health problems that this little change could exacerbate, especially when those problems weren't previously known.

[Law Goalie 147]

Agreed on both counts. If you're prone to high blood pressure or at risk for stroke, probably not a good idea in general. Then again, I really can't see any potential drawback to wearing a snug collar while playing hockey. My brother's Itech spandex shirt has a built-in BNQ neck-guard that would seem to be generating the kind of pressures described.

[innotastic 12]

big difference between blood flow to the head and blow flow from the head. veins naturally restrict blood movement with valves, so the concept these scientists are employing does occur naturally and they are more or less amplifying the effect. if your veins did not restrict blood movement (through use of valves), most of your body's blood would pool at your ankles (ie, varicose veins).

arteries, particularly the ones in your neck, are pressurized enough to overcome quite a bit of constriction, whereas veins are not as pressurized. therefore a bit of constriction would not actually affect the the blood flow to the brain, and by extension the transportation of oxygen to the brain, which means you really shouldn't have to worry about strokes at all.

[chippa13 1844]

Doesn't sound like such a good idea to me. If blood is collecting in one place that means it isn't getting to another. Plus, they tested the theory on anesthetized (relaxed) mice and not one's whose heart rates were at 70-80% capacity as an athletes would probably at the time of the collision.

[jds 20]

Interesting article in the latest issue of Maclean's magazine (Canadian) about the new gyroscopic treatment that was used on Crosby to speed up the healing process. Unfortunately the online version only skims the tech part but here it is anyway http://www2.macleans.ca/2011/11/03/rebuilding-crosby%E2%80%99s-brain/

[Chadd 916]

Interesting article in the latest issue of Maclean's magazine (Canadian) about the new gyroscopic treatment that was used on Crosby to speed up the healing process. Unfortunately the online version only skims the tech part but here it is anyway http://www2.macleans...2%80%99s-brain/

Interesting article. In retrospect, I progressed much faster once I started doing vestibular therapy. That may have had more to do with the location of my impact and the type damage done.

[jds 20]

Interesting article. In retrospect, I progressed much faster once I started doing vestibular therapy. That may have had more to do with the location of my impact and the type damage done.

Chadd, how long were you out of commission with your concussion? Since mine, this has become my pet topic and I find it fascinating just how different everyone is affected.

[Chadd 916]

Chadd, how long were you out of commission with your concussion? Since mine, this has become my pet topic and I find it fascinating just how different everyone is affected.

I skated a few times early on in the process and it was a mistake. When I looked at the scoring list and saw that I had played more than twice as many games as I thought, I knew I had to put the stuff away and not tempt fate. I wasn't able to return to work for six months and it was close to 9 until I was back to normal (for me). I still have issues when we fly through a lot of turbulence or if I have to drive through a long tunnel. That's due to the impact being on an area that is related to vision and muscular control of the eyes.

[Katzenjammer 1]

I skated a few times early on in the process and it was a mistake. When I looked at the scoring list and saw that I had played more than twice as many games as I thought, I knew I had to put the stuff away and not tempt fate. I wasn't able to return to work for six months and it was close to 9 until I was back to normal (for me). I still have issues when we fly through a lot of turbulence or if I have to drive through a long tunnel. That's due to the impact being on an area that is related to vision and muscular control of the eyes.

How did it happen Chadd?

[jds 20]

Chadd, six months off work! Jesus! I missed three weeks and thought that was a big deal. It is a serious business that's for sure. At least there is some awareness being generated thanks to Crosby but still a long way to go. I kept getting sweats and chills because I impacted the part of the brain that regulates body temp. Your brain controls everything-it's mind boggling that the issue is not taken more seriously than "getting your bell rung."