Dr. John McClaren shares his journey into specializing in brain injury rehabilitation and explains how autonomic nervous system dysfunction affects many TBI patients, often going undiagnosed despite causing significant symptoms.

• Simple bedside assessments can reveal autonomic dysfunction without lengthy waits
• Pupillary light reflex testing using smartphone apps provides millisecond-precision measurements
• Blood pressure differences between sides and positions offer valuable diagnostic information
• Heart examination with position changes can detect subtle autonomic abnormalities
• White matter connections between brain regions drive proper autonomic function
• Current focus on vagus nerve may miss the bigger picture of central autonomic network dysfunction
• New imaging techniques like DTI now allowing visualization of damaged neural connections

​

Dr. John McClaren can be contacted at Omaha Spine Care in Omaha Nebraska

Dr. Clayton Shiu brings his expertise in treating brain injuries through a unique integration of traditional Chinese medicine and cutting-edge technology, creating remarkable results for patients with neurological conditions.

• Specialized training at Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine and the First Teaching Hospital of Tianjin
• Transitioned from sports medicine to neurology after recognizing growing trends in neurological disorders
• Uses careful observation and palpation to identify often-missed signs of brain injury
• Implements quantitative EEG (QEEG) to measure brain activity and track treatment progress
• Incorporates advanced red light therapy through the RegenPod to enhance mitochondrial function
• Developing Tai Chi programs that function as vestibular rehabilitation

Join us for a powerful conversation on the often-overlooked aspects of concussion recovery. Dr. Danielle Fleming shares her experiences navigating the athletic world while dealing with the long-term impacts of brain injuries. 

- Discussing how athletes often ignore symptoms 
- The emotional toll of balancing identity and health 
- Techniques that helped in recovery from concussions 
- Dr. Fleming's current work as a chiropractor, helping people with concussions, mold, and parasites.
- The importance of finding specialized care 
- Broadening awareness about brain health for athletes 

In this episode Dr. Ayla Wolf dives deep into cervical instability, a condition that often gets overlooked but can have significant effects on daily life. Understanding its symptoms, diagnostic challenges, and treatment options can empower listeners to seek the help they need.

• Explanation of cervical instability and its causes, highlighting four types of cervical instability 
• Discussion of the wide range of symptoms associated with cervical instability, including neurological effects 
• Overview of diagnostic testing processes, including advanced imaging techniques 
• Examination of treatment options, including physical therapy, prolotherapy and platelet injections
• Emphasis on the importance of neck strengthening and postural awareness 

This episode emphasizes the intricate relationship between neck injuries and concussion recovery, exploring how sensory integration affects patient outcomes. Listeners learn about the importance of tailored therapies, effective communication among care providers, and the necessity of understanding each patient's unique presentation for optimal recovery.

• Understanding the role of functional neurology in treatment 
• Importance of sensory integration and balance in recovery 
• Where do neck strengthening exercises fit in
• Forward head posture and its implications for patients 
• Exploring functional tests for assessment of symptoms 
• Case study illustrating the connection between cervical dysfunction and dysautonomia 

This episode illuminates the significant connection between neck injuries and concussions, and the overlapping symptoms that can occur from either. We delve into various symptoms stemming from neck trauma, explore effective therapies, and highlight the importance of functional neurological assessments and integrative treatment approaches for enhanced recovery outcomes.

• The relationship between neck injuries and concussion symptoms 
• Equipping listeners with knowledge about cervicogenic dizziness 
• Importance of specialized therapies for neck and brain recovery 
• The link between neck trauma and vision disturbances 
• The need for comprehensive eye movement evaluations 
• The role of integrated therapeutic approaches in recovery

Our latest episode provides an inside look into a pilot study Sophia Bouwens and Ayla Wolf were both personally involved in on acupuncture's effect on post-traumatic headaches, revealing significant improvements for participants. We discuss the necessity of research-driven therapies, the importance of patient-provider communication, and future opportunities for tailored headache treatments. 

• Overview of the pilot study investigating acupuncture for post-traumatic headaches
• Examination of study results and satisfaction levels 
• Discussion of treatment frequency and patient experiences 
• Call for expanded research and individualized treatment approaches 
• Conclusion linking acupuncture research to real-world applications

This episode explores the connections between post-traumatic headaches and neuropathic pain, providing insights into the neurological underpinnings that affect pain perception and treatment efficacy. We emphasize individualized approaches to treatment and highlight the importance of understanding the brain's role in experiencing and managing pain.

• Understanding persistent post-traumatic headaches
• Exploring neuropathic pain in relation to concussions
• The brain's role in interpreting pain signals
• Hallmarks of neuropathic pain: allodynia and hyperalgesia
• Effects of acupuncture and cognitive therapies on recovery
• Neuroplasticity and its impact on pain perception
• Insights from case studies on acupuncture effectiveness
• The evolving landscape of pain management strategies and research advancements

This podcast dives deep into the complexities of post-traumatic headaches and migraines, exploring the differences in symptoms, triggers, and treatment options. Insights introduce listeners to medication overuse headaches and emphasize the importance of accurate diagnosis and holistic approaches for recovery after a concussion.

• Exploring common types of post-traumatic headaches
• Migraines as a risk factor for poor outcomes
• Defining migraines and associated symptoms
• Migraine "triggers"
• Understanding the neurological basis of migraines
• Examining the interplay of hormones and diet
• Discussing medication overuse headaches and their impact
• Emphasizing the value of a multidisciplinary approach to treatment
• Discussing alternative therapies and lifestyle modifications
• Encouraging patients to advocate for appropriate care

Post-traumatic headaches represent a multifaceted challenge for those recovering from concussions, often requiring careful diagnosis and tailored treatment plans. The episode delves into various headache types, the dangers of medication overuse headaches otherwise known as rebound headaches, and the interrelation between neck injuries and headache presentations, urging patients to communicate effectively with their healthcare providers.
 
• Discussion on cervicogenic versus tension-type headaches
• Importance of glymphatic system in headache management
• The role of hydration in nurturing brain health
• Misconnections between migraines and post-traumatic headaches
• Practical tools for improved communication with healthcare providers

Sophia Bouwens and Dr. Ayla Wolf DAOM discuss their new podcast, "Life After Impact: The Concussion Recovery Podcast" focusing on concussions and brain injuries. Dr. Wolf shares information on her soon-to-be-published book, which includes a 48-question questionnaire to categorize symptoms into eight meaningful categories, such as post-traumatic headaches, cognitive symptoms, vestibular disorders, and visual or oculomotor dysfunction. They emphasize the importance of comprehensive testing and individualized treatment plans. Sophia discusses how her background in neuroscience and acupuncture helped improve outcomes with her own brain injury recovery.  Dr. Wolf describes her experiencing with multiple sports-related concussions and current work with patients suffering from post-concussion syndrome. 

​

​Future episodes will delve into specific topics like post-traumatic headaches, traumatic neck injuries, cognitive symptoms, vision and eye movement disorders, sleep disorders, mood and personality changes, autonomic dysfunction, neuro-inflammation, dizziness, vertigo and balance issues.