mild Traumatic Brain Injury (mTBI) is among the most prevalent and frequently under-recognized conditions affecting Canadian veterans. Whether from blast exposure, vehicle accidents, falls, sports injuries, or combat, the consequences of mTBI can persist for months or years — affecting cognition, mood, sleep, balance, and pain. Dr. Brayall offers specialized assessment and chiropractic treatment for veterans experiencing post-concussion symptoms, with a particular focus on the cervical spine’s critical role in recovery.
What Is mTBI?
mTBI occurs when a force to the head — or a pressure wave from a blast — disrupts normal brain function. Despite the word “mild,” mTBI can have significant and lasting consequences. Persistent Post-Concussion Syndrome (PPCS) affects a substantial proportion of those who sustain mTBI, with symptoms that may include:
- Persistent headaches, often originating from the upper cervical spine
- Dizziness and balance disturbance
- Cognitive difficulties — concentration, memory, and word-finding
- Sensitivity to light and noise
- Sleep disruption
- Mood changes including irritability, anxiety, and depression
- Visual disturbances
Importantly, mTBI typically does not appear on standard CT or MRI imaging. This does not mean the injury is absent — it means thorough clinical assessment is essential for both diagnosis and VAC claim support.
Military Service and mTBI
Veterans are at significantly elevated risk for mTBI compared to the general population. Common mechanisms in military service include:
- Blast exposure: Even without direct impact, the overpressure wave from an explosion can cause mTBI. This is a defining mechanism in modern combat and a primary driver of mTBI in Canadian veterans.
- Vehicle incidents: Rollovers, IED strikes, and high-speed collisions in military vehicles subject the head and cervical spine to severe acceleration-deceleration forces.
- Training injuries: Falls, parachute landings, combatives, and sports training are common sources of mTBI outside of combat.
- Direct impact: Falls from height, being struck by equipment, or injuries sustained in combat operations.
VAC recognizes mTBI as a service-related condition with established entitlement pathways. Thorough documentation of the mechanism of injury, symptom history, and functional impairment is critical to a successful claim.
The Cervical Spine and mTBI: Why Chiropractic Matters
One of the most important — and frequently overlooked — aspects of mTBI recovery is the role of the cervical spine. The forces that cause mTBI almost invariably also stress the upper cervical spine, producing joint dysfunction, muscular strain, and altered proprioception. This cervicogenic component is responsible for a significant proportion of post-concussion headaches, dizziness, and visual disturbances.
Chiropractic assessment and treatment of the cervical spine is evidence-supported in the management of post-concussion symptoms and is a core component of Dr. Brayall’s approach to mTBI.
Treatment Approach
Dr. Brayall’s management of mTBI and post-concussion syndrome includes:
- Upper cervical assessment: Identifying and treating cervical joint dysfunction contributing to headaches, dizziness, and neck pain following mTBI.
- Activator Method: A low-force, precise instrument-based technique — critical for post-concussion patients who may be particularly sensitive to manual manipulation.
- Arthrostim: Gentle, high-frequency mobilization of the cervical spine without the force of traditional adjustment.
- Functional neurological assessment: Dr. Brayall incorporates functional neurological evaluation principles to assess vestibular, cerebellar, and oculomotor function in mTBI patients.
- Multidisciplinary coordination: mTBI is a multi-system condition. Dr. Brayall collaborates with neuropsychologists, physiotherapists, and family physicians as appropriate to ensure comprehensive care.
VAC Claims for mTBI
VAC disability claims for mTBI require thorough documentation of mechanism of injury, symptom history, functional impairment, and treatment response. Dr. Brayall prepares comprehensive VAC reports tailored to the specific requirements of mTBI adjudication, with reference to the relevant Entitlement Eligibility Guidelines and Table of Disabilities criteria.
Ready to Start Your Recovery?
If you are a veteran experiencing persistent headaches, dizziness, cognitive difficulties, or other post-concussion symptoms, early treatment of the cervical component is associated with better outcomes. Call (506) 472-7000 or book online to schedule your assessment with Dr. Brayall.