Concussion Stories podcast: Recent Episodes
Lifeyana
I am Melanie Wienhoven and doctors told me I had to learn to live with my debilitating post-concussion symptoms. Refusing that reality, I built my own recovery method and made a full recovery from post-concussion syndrome 6 years after injury. Now, my team and I are on a mission to share hope, tools, expertise and recognition with you, so you can recover much faster than I did. You are not alone!
Neck pain after concussion is a very common symptom. If you suffer from neck pain, learning about the muscles and nerves that may be causing the pain in this episode may be very helpful for you. However, if you don’t have any neck pain, or just minor complaints like stiffness, there may still be something going on with the muscles and nerves in your neck. That is why, PT Sarah Etheridge says, it is always important to check the neck after concussion.
Free guide: https://www.lifeyana.com/3-ways-to-speed-up-your-concussion-recovery-right-now/
Interview shownotes: https://www.lifeyana.com/neck-pain-after-concussion
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Table of content
[02:04] International Brain Injury Association conference
[03:34] Neck pain after concussion
[04:25] Muscles to check after concussion
[06:17] Nerves to check after concussion
[09:03] Occipital neuralgia
Concussion biomarkers are needed. That is because the current imaging machines like MRI and CT more often than not can not visualize a concussion. This often results in doctors saying that there is nothing wrong with us, or that the symptoms we have are psychological. If a simple blood test can show you sustained a concussion and are at risk for lingering symptoms, concussion care would improve very much. Eric Thelin takes us on a deep dive into the realm of concussion biomarkers.
Free guide: https://www.lifeyana.com/3-ways-to-speed-up-your-concussion-recovery-right-now/
Interview shownotes: https://www.lifeyana.com/concussion-biomarkers-eric-thelin-episode-3/
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Table of contents
[04:06] Finding brain injury biomarkers
[05:10] Concussion biomarkers
[07:47] Concussion and inflammation
[10:08] Concussion awareness
In this second episode with Eric Thelin, we will discover how he is developing a checklist for Swedish GPs to help them know better what to do with patients after sustaining a concussion. He also shares and explains the way sport concussion return to activity protocols are helpful to apply in medical settings.
Free guide: https://www.lifeyana.com/3-ways-to-speed-up-your-concussion-recovery-right-now/
Interview shownotes: https://www.lifeyana.com/post-concussion-guidelines-eric-thelin-episode-2/
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Table of contents:
[02:42] Post-concussion guidelines
[06:06] No concussion guidelines in medical school
[07:42] Rest after concussion
[09:17] Return to sports concussion guidelines
[11:36] Concussion guidelines for hospitals
[13:25] Sport concussion patients
Eric Thelin is knee-deep in traumatic brain injury research. He and his colleagues are developing a way to provide better concussion care from the first moment a patient sees a doctor. Have a listen!
Free guide: https://www.lifeyana.com/3-ways-to-speed-up-your-concussion-recovery-right-now/
Interview shownotes: https://www.lifeyana.com/traumatic-brain-injury-research-eric-thelin-episode-1/
Follow Lifeyana on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thisislifeyana/
Table of contents:
[02:05] Eric Thelin
[07:08] Traumatic brain injury research
[08:53] Concussion diagnosis needs to improve
[12:05] Concussion awareness
Concussion care is often not compassionate. On the contrary, patients report to Professor Tenovuo that they don’t feel heard by their doctors. After seeing over 6000 patients with a traumatic brain injury (TBI), he has learned a lot about the symptoms and problems we cope with.
In this 4th episode with Professor Tenovuo, we speak about how concussion care is lacking, and how it could be improved. If you haven’t yet listened to episode 1, 2 and 3, please find them right here:
Episode 1: https://www.lifeyana.com/post-concussion-symptoms/
Episode 2: https://www.lifeyana.com/post-concussion-protocols/
Episode 3: https://www.lifeyana.com/concussion-stress/
Free guide: https://www.lifeyana.com/3-ways-to-speed-up-your-concussion-recovery-right-now/
Interview shownotes: https://www.lifeyana.com/concussion-care-prof-tenovuo-part-4/
FollowLifeyana on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thisislifeyana/
Table of contents:
[02:42] Compassionate concussion care
[06:29] Neuroplasticity
[08:53] Concussion care is lacking
[11:59] Concussion & family members
[13:45] Conclusion: Professor Tenovuo
Concussion and stress: they share the most logical connection for all of us who suffer from lingering concussion symptoms. However, in my experience, not much has been written or said about it. It feels like another taboo surrounding living with concussion symptoms.
Well, let’s blow that taboo wide open! Professor Tenovuo shares 3 major sources of stress after concussion, that create even more and bigger problems. That is how we end up discussing post-concussion depression, too. You will learn how this is more normal than you might think. Mental health after traumatic brain injury is a big thing, and it cannot get enough attention!
Free guide: https://www.lifeyana.com/3-ways-to-speed-up-your-concussion-recovery-right-now/
Interview shownotes: https://www.lifeyana.com/concussion-and-stress-prof-tenovuo-part-3/
Follow Lifeyana on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thisislifeyana/
Table of contents:
[02:52] Concussion and stress
[07:01] Melanie’s work situation after concussion
[08:58] Concussion and depressionI
[11:02] Treat post-concussion depression
Post-concussion protocols are outdated and lacking. At least, in regular medical settings. However, Professor Tenovuo points toward return to play concussion protocols that may be of help during concussion recovery. In addition, Melanie shares how a combination of concussion research and common knowledge come a long way, too.
Free guide: https://www.lifeyana.com/3-ways-to-speed-up-your-concussion-recovery-right-now/
Interview shownotes: https://www.lifeyana.com/post-concussion-symptoms-prof-tenovuo-part-2/
Follow Lifeyana on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thisislifeyana/
Table of contents:
[02:20] Post-concussion protocol
[05:28] Concussion and rest
[06:49] Screen time post-concussion
[08:13] Concussion recovery protocol: research-based
Professor Tenovuo shares how the term ‘post-concussion syndrome’ confuses patients and doctors alike, and learn why it is better to say post-concussion symptoms.
Free guide: https://www.lifeyana.com/3-ways-to-speed-up-your-concussion-recovery-right-now/
Interview shownotes: https://www.lifeyana.com/post-concussion-symptoms-prof-tenovuo-part-1/
Follow Lifeyana on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thisislifeyana/
Table of contents:
[02:05] Professor Tenovuo
[06:26] Post-concussion symptoms
[11:31] MRI and CT often can’t diagnose concussion
Season 2 of the Concussion Stories podcast is here! To kick off this season, I would like to share a quote with you: 'Bloom where you are planted. Don't curse what you already have.
Be ready to get inspired and feel empowered in this all new season!
Free guide: https://www.lifeyana.com/3-ways-to-speed-up-your-concussion-recovery-right-now/
Podcast shownotes: https://www.lifeyana.com/resilience-after-concussion/
Follow Lifeyana on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thisislifeyana/
Table of contents:
02:40 Resilience after concussion
05:42 Feeling desperate after sustaining a concussion
07:25 Breaking the blame cycle
09:41 Season 2 of Concussion Stories
Post-concussion rehabilitation is a specialized field of rehabilitative care that isn’t practiced by a lot of doctors in the world. Dr. Zasler has seen thousands of concussion and post-concussion syndrome patients throughout his career and that qualifies him as a concussion specialist.
In this episode, he talks about the importance of maintaining hope and motivation during rehabilitation. He also shares how improvement is always possible, even 5 or 10 years after injury. This is part 1 of 2 episodes with Dr. Zasler.
Free guide: https://www.lifeyana.com/3-ways-to-speed-up-your-concussion-recovery-right-now/
Interview shownotes: https://www.lifeyana.com/post-concussion-headaches/
Follow Lifeyana on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thisislifeyana/
Table of contents:[01:44] Post-concussion headaches [06:51] Cause of post-concussion headaches[09:51] Post-concussion headache history[13:36] Post-concussion syndrome care[16:02] Traumatic brain injury patient examination[18:32] Concussion Care Clinic Virginia
Post-concussion rehabilitation is a specialized field of rehabilitative care that isn’t practiced by a lot of doctors in the world. Dr. Zasler has seen thousands of concussion and post-concussion syndrome patients throughout his career and that qualifies him as a concussion specialist.
In this episode, he talks about the importance of maintaining hope and motivation during rehabilitation. He also shares how improvement is always possible, even 5 or 10 years after injury. This is part 1 of 2 episodes with Dr. Zasler.
CENTER-TBI is one of the largest research projects studying traumatic brain injuries (TBI) worldwide. Concussions and post-concussion syndrome are TBIs, so that is why their work is so interesting to us.
This is the 3rd of 3 episodes covering the CENTER-TBI convention that took place on September the 30th and October the 1st of 2022 in Antwerp, Belgium. I am grateful to have been invited to join the brain injury researchers and to relay all I heard and experienced to you.
Free guide: https://www.lifeyana.com/3-ways-to-speed-up-your-concussion-recovery-right-now/
Interview shownotes: https://www.lifeyana.com/center-tbi/
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Table of contents: [00:45] CENTER-TBI convention 2022 [02:58 CENTER-TBI [05:15] 90% of traumatic brain injuries are “mild” [07:24] Concussions are not “mild” brain injuries [08:29] Concussion doctors are needed [09:24] TBI care differs per hospital [12:17] Concussion protocols need to change [14:13] Post-concussion treatment vision is lacking [15:42] The best post-concussion treatment
Traumatic brain injury research is booming, and that is just what is needed to transform post-concussion patient care. As Andrew Maas said in the previous Concussion Stories episode covering the CENTER-TBI 2022 convention: “We are failing patients”.
As you probably know, research takes a long time to translate into new traumatic brain injury (TBI) protocols and therefore: better care for you. However, what you can get right now, is a look behind cutting-edge traumatic brain injury research and meet some of the researchers who dedicate their careers to setting post-concussion care right after having it go wrong for so long. This Concussion Stories episode is here to share their good energy with you!
Free guide: https://www.lifeyana.com/3-ways-to-speed-up-your-concussion-recovery-right-now/ Interview shownotes: https://www.lifeyana.com/traumatic-brain-injury-research/ Follow Lifeyana on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thisislifeyana/
Table of contents: 00:45] Meet the researchers behind CENTER-TBI [03:03] Mild traumatic brain injury research: Alice Theadom [03:51] Empowering TBI patients: Shubhayu Bhattacharyay [04:45] TBI statistics: Matteo Petrosino & Francesca Graziano [05:58] Faster traumatic brain injury recovery: David Menon [06:36] Biomarkers for better TBI care: András Büki [07:32] Better traumatic brain injury diagnosis: Eric Thelin [08:25] Traumatic brain injury facts: Marek Majdan [09:24] Tailor-made TBI treatment : Cecilia Åkerlund [10:07] Molecules for TBI treatment: Matej Orešič
Mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI) is the medical term for concussion and for post-concussion syndrome. The confusing thing is that concussions have been classified this way historically. However, new concussion research has found that it’s incorrect to call concussions “mild” brain injuries.
That’s why the CENTER-TBI research group made changing post-concussion protocols a major point. I want to show you that thought leaders, researchers and doctors have your back. You are not alone in this!
Interview shownotes: https://www.lifeyana.com/mild-traumatic-brain-injury/
Free guide: https://www.lifeyana.com/3-ways-to-speed-up-your-concussion-recovery-right-now/
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Table of contents: [06:20] Concussion rehabilitation is underutilized [07:08] Mild TBI needs new specialists [10:02] Most traumatic brain injuries are “mild” (concussions) [11:53] Post-concussion protocols need to change [13:05] Next episode: meeting the researchers
Post-concussion care is long past due for an overhaul! That’s Professor Nada Andelic' strong statement, backed by the holistic system of care she and her colleagues have already implemented at the medical center of the University of Oslo.
In this Concussion Stories episode, Professor Andelic shares her vision about comprehensive healthcare Melanie, and points out problems with and solutions for gender inequality, medical help with returning to work and psychological recovery from post-concussion syndrome.
Before we start, I’d like to explain 2 terms we mention a lot. mTBI or mild traumatic brain injury is just another term for concussions. CENTER-TBI is one of the 3 largest ongoing research projects worldwide researching traumatic brain injuries, and concussions are traumatic brain injuries. So CENTER-TBI is a very important study that I track for you and professor Andelic is involved in it.
Interview shownotes: https://www.lifeyana.com/holistic-post-concussion-care/
Free guide: https://www.lifeyana.com/3-ways-to-speed-up-your-concussion-recovery-right-now/
Follow Lifeyana on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thisislifeyana/
Table of contents: [02:23] Nada Andelic [05:10] Integrated care for post-concussion syndrome [06:34] Post-concussion outcomes in men and women [10:03] Return to work with or after a concussion [13:57] Tele-rehabilitation for post-concussion care [15:45] Post-concussion care: psychological work [17:22] Holistic care is the future for PCS
Post-concussion syndrome causes sleep problems for many of us. What is the reason behind this, what processes cause sleep disorders after sustaining a traumatic brain injury? Dr. Ramon Diaz-Arrastia explains in this Concussion Stories episode. Before he does that, he talks about the absolute and essential need for medical professionals to give hope to patients with a traumatic brain injury - especially to those of us who experience a prolonged concussion or post-concussion syndrome. There are a lot of reasons for hope when it comes to complete recovery from a mild traumatic brain injury (this is a concussion)!
Interview shownotes: https://www.lifeyana.com/post-concussion-syndrome-sleep/
Free guide: https://www.lifeyana.com/3-ways-to-speed-up-your-concussion-recovery-right-now/
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Table of contents:
[01:17] Hope for post-concussion syndrome recovery [07:30] Neuroplasticity and evidence-based therapies [12:20] Post-concussion syndrome sleep disorders [17:54] Post-concussion syndrome and vivid dreams
TBI (traumatic brain injury) severity is currently classified as severe, moderate and mild traumatic brain injury. According to Dr. Ramon Diaz-Arrastia, these severeness levels are misleading. It is true that severe brain injuries are often life-threatening and they are therefore a severe injury. On the other end of the spectrum, mild traumatic brain injuries (concussions) are expected by people to be mild. However, about 50% of people with a mild traumatic brain injury have not fully recovered 6 months after injury. There is nothing mild about a concussion. Dr. Ramon Diaz-Arrastia pleads for changing the way the medical system currently ranks TBI severity. What follows is the transcript of 1 out of 2 Concussion Stories episodes with this outspoken expert involved in leading research on traumatic brain injury.
Interview shownotes: https://www.lifeyana.com/tbi-severity/
Free guide: https://www.lifeyana.com/3-ways-to-speed-up-your-concussion-recovery-right-now/
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Table of contents [00:45] Dr. Ramon Diaz-Arrastia [03:41] Post-concussion syndrome is a brain injury [09:55] “Concussion” is a misleading word [11:52] The current TBI severity classification is outdated [15:47] Accurate concussion diagnosis and prognosis [20:10] Active concussion recovery is essential
Listener Pamela Treischel asked:
Enjoyed this episode and agree that 'concussion' is very confusing word as is the current classification systems! Curious... why does post-traumatic amnesia occur and why does that increase the risk factor?
Our reply:
Hi Pamela, thank you for asking this question! Dr. Diaz-Arrastia wrote the following answer for you:
"This is a great question. Amnesia is different from consciousness. Certainly everyone who is unconscious (due to disruption of the key brain circuits that are required for consciousness) is also amnestic. However, (and TBI is one of the most common examples of this) there are situations where patients are conscious (i.e. they are able to give their names, follow comments, even have some very short-term memory) but are not able to lay down medium and long-term memory. This is due to dysfunction of a set of brain circuits that are required for consolidating memory, which are different from the neural circuits underlying consciousness. It turns out that the duration of post-traumatic amnesia is a more reliable predictor of long-term outcome that duration of unconsciousness.
The other issue is that amnesia is not like in the movies, where someone turns on a switch and memory is completely normal after a certain point. In real life, there is a period of time where some short and medium-term memory is present, but not completely. That is explains why some patients report that they have several years of post-traumatic amnesia, even if during those years they were working, fulfilling their family responsibilities, etc."
We hope this helps!
With love, Melanie
Brain injury healing is a process. As all of us know, it’s just as much a psychological as it is a physiological process. In this Concussion Stories episode, brain injury survivor Nick Mercer shares his story. From post-injury depression to accepting and adapting his mindset: Nick shares his journey. You may know Nick from Concussion Talk, his podcast about traumatic brain injury recovery.
Interview shownotes: https://www.lifeyana.com/brain-injury-healing/
Free guide: https://www.lifeyana.com/3-ways-to-speed-up-your-concussion-recovery-right-now/
Follow Lifeyana on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thisislifeyana/
Table of contents: [00:45] Nick Mercer [04:58] Nick’s brain injury story [09:14] Coping with a brain injury [12:42] Acceptance and mindset [19:14] Speech problems after traumatic brain injury [22:08] Better brain injury care [25:56] Concussion Talk podcast
What to do with the advice to rest your brain after sustaining a concussion? A lot of us still get this advice, and a lot of us are confused about it. Because we notice it doesn’t work, and even leaves us feeling worse than before. Where does this advice come from, and more importantly: what to do with it?
Professor Michael McCrea is an absolute authority on traumatic brain injury (concussions and post-concussion syndrome are traumatic brain injury). He shares from his experience and insight based on 2 massive American research projects involving both civilians and military service members.
Please keep in mind that a concussion is a so-called mild traumatic brain injury. Whenever we say “TBI”, this means traumatic brain injury.
Interview shownotes: https://www.lifeyana.com/brain-rest-concussion/
Free guide: https://www.lifeyana.com/3-ways-to-speed-up-your-concussion-recovery-right-now/
Follow Lifeyana on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thisislifeyana/
Table of contents: [01:48] Resting your brain after sustaining a concussion [06:58] Active recovery for concussions [10:22] Concussion recovery is possible [16:43] Concussions and mental health [24:22] Compassionate concussion care [27:11] Concluding this Concussion Stories episode
Neuroplasticity, or brain plasticity, means the ability of the brain to form and reorganize new connections, also after injury. If you want to understand why you need an active approach toward post-concussion syndrome recovery, you need to understand neuroplasticity. And who better to learn about neuroplasticity from than Professor Sitskoorn? As the author of numerous books on this topic, you could say “Neuroplasticity” is her middle name. Together with Melanie, she completely brings the topic to life in this episode of Concussion Stories!
Interview shownotes: https://www.lifeyana.com/neuroplasticity-professor-sitskoorn/
Free guide: https://www.lifeyana.com/3-ways-to-speed-up-your-concussion-recovery-right-now/
Lifeyana Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thisislifeyana/
Table of contents:
00:45 Professor Sitskoorn 06:19 Neuroplasticity: how it works 12:31 Neuroplasticity after a concussion 21:19 Neuroplasticity and brain injury
Post-concussion syndrome recovery is psychologically hard. Especially so if doctors told you that there is no hope for you ever recovering from your brain damage. This is what they told me and still – I made a full recovery! So what does that tell you? That there is hope, and that the only way to recover is if you believe that you can do it. This episode is all about the hope you need for post-concussion syndrome recovery.
Interview shownotes: https://www.lifeyana.com/post-concussion-syndrome-recovery--hope/
Free guide: https://www.lifeyana.com/3-ways-to-speed-up-your-concussion-recovery-right-now/
Lifeyana Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thisislifeyana/
Table of contents: 01:12 Brené Brown on hope 02:34 What is hope? 07:51 How to cultivate hope during post-concussion syndrome 11:42 Post-concussion syndrome recovery momentum tip
During post-concussion recovery, many of us feel absolutely lost. This often (partly) originates from our conversations with doctors. We are checked for clear injuries, like a brain bleed or an inability to find words, and when we don’t have them, a lot of us are sent home.
After a while, our concussions turn into post-concussion syndrome. And when they do, many of us hear that we need to learn to live with our symptoms, that our symptoms might be due to stress, or that our brain damage will very likely never recover.
These are truly harmful messages, especially so because so much about post-concussion syndrome is not yet understood by science, and one can never predict the outcome of another person’s recovery. Moreover: both science and my complete recovery show that there is hope!
Interview shownotes: https://www.lifeyana.com/post-concussion-recovery/
Free guide: https://www.lifeyana.com/3-ways-to-speed-up-your-concussion-recovery-right-now/
Lifeyana Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thisislifeyana/
Table of contents: 03:05 The harmful side of post-concussion care 06:56 Medical professionals and post-concussion recovery 10:31 Harmful post-concussion advice 13:07 Post-concussion depression 17:54 Your post-concussion recovery
In this Concussion Stories episode, Melanie speaks with James Durham of TBI One Love. James is all about the power of positivity and hope. After sustaining such a severe traumatic brain injury that his doctors weren't sure he would wake up from his coma, James did everything to recover from his brain injury and to make sure that - as he says it - he is now better than ever before. Always choose hope!
Interview shownotes: https://www.lifeyana.com/traumatic-brain-injury-recovery/
Free guide: https://www.lifeyana.com/3-ways-to-speed-up-your-concussion-recovery-right-now/
Lifeyana Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thisislifeyana/
Table of contents: 01:52 Brain injury support 04:00 James’ traumatic brain injury symptoms 06:33 Brain injury awareness with TBI One Love 10:44 Brain injury recovery inspiration from James 12:40 James’ traumatic brain injury recovery story 17:55 Relearning after brain injury
In this 2nd Concussion Stories episode with Professor of Neuropsychology Lindsay Wilson, he and Melanie dive even deeper into the mental health aspect of concussions. They speak about how you can deal with the psychological side effects of a concussion as well as how important it is for you to recognize that they are there. The most important message is that you are not alone!
Interview shownotes: https://www.lifeyana.com/concussion-and-mental-health/
Free guide: https://www.lifeyana.com/3-ways-to-speed-up-your-concussion-recovery-right-now/
Lifeyana Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thisislifeyana/
Table of contents: 01:42 Traumatic brain injury: a silent epidemic 04:33 How to deal with a concussion 09:06 Recognizing mental health after a concussion 11:40 Health-related quality of life 17:48 The impact of CENTER-TBI
This is the first of 2 episodes with Lindsay Wilson, who is a Professor of Neuropsychology and one of the researchers studying Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) within CENTER-TBI. In this episode, Lindsay talks about the long-term effects of a concussion. Particularly the mental and emotional experiences that a lot of us know all too well.
Interview shownotes: https://www.lifeyana.com/long-term-effects-of-a-concussion/
Free guide: https://www.lifeyana.com/3-ways-to-speed-up-your-concussion-recovery-right-now/
Lifeyana Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thisislifeyana/
Table of contents:
00:45 Lindsay Wilson and CENTER-TBI 05:06 Post-concussion side effects 12:22 It can take long to recover from a concussion 15:08 Emotional consequences of a concussion 20:27 A concussion is an invisible injury
This Concussion Stories episode is the second of 2 episodes with Andrew Maas, Coordinator of the largest study ever done on Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI). In this part, he talks about the necessary improvements to current care, details of the CENTER-TBI study, as well as new ways to diagnose concussions (as well as other brain injuries).
Interview shownotes: https://www.lifeyana.com/concussion-care/
Free guide: https://www.lifeyana.com/3-ways-to-speed-up-your-concussion-recovery-right-now/
Lifeyana Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thisislifeyana/
Table of contents:
00:45 Andrew Maas and CENTER-TBI 02:09 The CENTER-TBI study 04:53 Concussion statistics 07:49 Redefining traumatic brain injury 09:35 Concussion diagnosis 13:10 Improving concussion aftercare 15:57 Andrew’s post-concussion care vision
In this epic Concussion Stories conversation, Melanie finally experiences the acknowledgment that she and many others never got in the medical system. Andrew is a retired neurosurgeon and now Principal Investigator of the largest study ever done on Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI). They change the field by studying TBI patients. And they found that Mild TBI is NOT mild! Must watch this episode if you feel like you're not heard and if you feel lost in your concussion recovery. You are not alone in this!
Interview shownotes: https://www.lifeyana.com/mtbi-is-not-mild/
Free guide: https://www.lifeyana.com/3-ways-to-speed-up-your-concussion-recovery-right-now/
Lifeyana Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thisislifeyana/
Table of contents:
00:45 Andrew Maas 02:53 Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) Research 03:32 CENTER-TBI 05:12 Mild TBI is NOT so mild 08:58 Concussion diagnosis and treatment 09:31 It’s the patient that matters 11:04 Concussion awareness 16:10 Changing mTBI treatment 23:24 Andrew’s research: concussion care is insufficient
In this episode of Concussion Stories by Lifeyana, Bella Paige shares her concussion story with Melanie. She clearly describes the absence of mental health in the concussion care system and what fear of injury and withdrawing from the things she loved did with her. Also, she tells the beautiful story of bouncing back from depression, now helping others and having found happiness again!
Interview shownotes: https://www.lifeyana.com/post-concussion-depression/
Free guide: https://www.lifeyana.com/3-ways-to-speed-up-your-concussion-recovery-right-now/
Lifeyana Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thisislifeyana/
Table of contents: 0:45 The concussion struggle: you are not alone 5:45 Sport related concussions 10:44 Concussion awareness 13:35 The fear spiral after a concussion 16:01 Bella’s post-concussion syndrome recovery 18:02 Helping others with post-concussion syndrome 20:58 Medical help with her concussions 24:24 Post-concussion depression 28:50 Bella’s concussion healing progress 31:15 The Post-Concussion Podcast
In this episode of Concussions Stories, Melanie talks about the classic advice to take rest. Where does the advice of rest really come from? She helps you choose for yourself whether this advice is working for you - or that you need something else. And what is that? Listen to this episode to find out!
Interview shownotes: https://www.lifeyana.com/concussion-rest/
Free guide: https://www.lifeyana.com/3-ways-to-speed-up-your-concussion-recovery-right-now/
Lifeyana Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thisislifeyana/
Table of contents:
0:45 Concussion rest advice 4:58 Concussion rest: the origins 10:22 If rest isn't working for you 12:51 Rest for post-concussion syndrome 18:00 Replacing rest to heal your concussion 21:20 How to heal your lingering concussion
In this episode of Concussion Stories, Melanie talks about the worry of never recovering. Take 3 actionable steps to get positive action.
Interview shownotes: https://www.lifeyana.com/how-to-recover-faster-from-a-concussion/
Free guide: https://www.lifeyana.com/3-ways-to-speed-up-your-concussion-recovery-right-now/
Lifeyana Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thisislifeyana/
Brain foods sheet: https://www.lifeyana.com/brain-foods-to-support-concussion-recovery/
Energy levels sheet: https://www.lifeyana.com/optimize-your-energy-levels-for-concussion-recovery/
Table of contents:
0:47 Worrying about ever getting better 4:55 Worrying delayed my concussion recovery 6:48 The concussion stories you read online 9:22 There is hope! 10:53 Brains are adaptive systems 14:24 How to recover from your concussion faster - 3 steps 17:18 Conclusion
In this episode of Concussion Stories by Lifeyana, Wendy Smeets and Melanie talk about the struggle of having an invisible illness (post-concussion syndrome) and the difficult combination of TBI with PTSD. Also, they cover topics such as forgiveness, recovery and finding joy in life again.
Interview shownotes: https://www.lifeyana.com/concussion-stories-tbi-ptsd/
Free guide: https://www.lifeyana.com/3-ways-to-speed-up-your-concussion-recovery-right-now/
Lifeyana Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thisislifeyana/
Table of contents:
1:32 How it feels to have TBI 4:00 The effect of TBI on our relationships 6:13 Symptoms impacting your social life 7:47 Wendy’s TBI story 9:10 The power of forgiveness 14:06 Being hard on yourself during recovery 15:17 Wendy’s bumpy road to recovery 21:19 TBI and PTSD: a difficult combination 22:41 Doctors' words limited Wendy's recovery 26:34 Wendy's current state of PTSD and TBI