Concussion & Brain Injury Treatment in Edmonton

We offer Edmonton Alternative TBI & Concussion Therapy

TruMed offers Edmonton Hyperbaric Oxygen Treatment & IV Therapy  

Summarized evidence for Traumatic Brain Injury and Post Concussion Syndrome

This review page is for informational purposes only.

Brain Injury Background: 

Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is an insult or trauma to the brain caused by external mechanical forces. 

Patients with TBI are often left with significant cognitive and behavioral disability. 

There are no effective standard treatments for TBI patients.  

Chronic TBI, which is the topic of this review, arises days to weeks after the original insult. 

At the time of injury there are different degrees of irreversible damage to the brain tissue termed the primary injury.

Next, there is ongoing injury to the brain including microglial activation, excitotoxic neurotransmitters and impaired calcium balance.

mTBI & PCS

Up to 90% of TBIs are classified as mild TBI (mTBI).

Concussion is a form of mTBI and most symptoms resolve in 5-10 days. 

Post Concussion Syndrome (PCS) is a set of symptoms that remain beyond 14 days.

The PCS symptoms include headache, dizziness, neuropsychiatric (mood) symptoms, and cognitive impairments.

In most patients, PCS may continue for weeks or months, and up to 25% of the patients may experience Prolonged PCS (PPCS) in which the symptoms last for over six months.

Hyperbaric Oxygen

At any given time, the brain is utilizing almost all oxygen and glucose delivered to it.

However, the regeneration process after brain injury requires much additional energy and this is where Hyperbaric Oxygen Treatment can help.

Hyperbaric oxygenation can supply the energy substrate needed for brain repair.

At our Edmonton office we offer all available therapeutic Hyperbaric pressures needed for all types of tissue healing, including the nervous system. 

IV Therapy

With IV Therapy our Naturopathic Doctors infuse Vitamins, Minerals, Amino Acids, and Anti-oxidants directly into the blood stream.

With regards to brain injury and concussion, the rationale is to provide sufficient quantities of substances needed for brain repair.

Furthermore, we can introduce anti-inflammatory substances to mitigate microglial inflammation which is a central pathologic issue in Brain Injury and Concussion.

Our Edmonton clinic has a special focus in IV Therapy.

We've literally given thousands of Vitamin infusions and use of IV treatment for Brain Injury and Concussion can result in extremely rapid benefits in some patients

Hyperbaric Mechanisms - Brain Injury & Concussion

Increased tissue oxygenation

Breathing oxygen under Hyperbaric conditions can increase arterial oxygen tensions twenty fold and tissue oxygen tensions ten fold and therefore dramatically improve brain oxygenation. 

Reduced inflammation

Anti-inflammatory Hyperbaric mechanisms relevant to Brain Injury include increasing IL-10 and NRF-2, while reducing TNF-a, MMP-9 and microglial activation. 

Decreased apoptosis

Hyperbaric Oxygen increases expression of anti-apoptotic proteins (Bcl-2 and Bcl-xl) and preserves mitochondrial integrity for preservation of brain neurons.

Neuro/Angiogenesis

Hyperbaric Therapy can promote axonal sprouting, synapse remodeling triggers angiogenesis - the growth of additional blood vessels while reactivating of quiescent neurons.

Brain Injury Support at TruMed 

Hyperbaric Oxygen & IV Therapy in Edmonton.

Our Naturopaths have a special focus in Advanced Natural Medicine.

We offer Edmonton Evidence Informed Brain Injury Treatment

Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy and IV Vitamin Treatment

IV Therapy provides nutrients needed for injury repair

Hyperbaric Oxygen Enhances Healing of damaged Tissues.

Concussion & Brain Injury - Human Data

At our clinic in Edmonton we offer some of the most modern alternative treatments to address neurological injury including Hyperbaric Oxygen & IV Therapy.

Our Naturopathic Doctors use evidence informed treatments for our Brain Injury and Concussion protocols.

The following section will discuss human data regarding the use of Hyperbaric treatment for brain injury and concussion starting with case reports before transitioning to clinical trials.

Case Reports

There is preliminary case report data for use of Hyperbaric Oxygen for Brain Injury - the results are extremely compelling.

Harch (2009) - A 25-year-old male military veteran with Post Concussion Syndrome and PTSD three years after an explosion. 

39 Hyperbaric Treatments were done at a pressure of 1.5 ATA.

The patient experienced a permanent marked improvement in his post-concussive symptoms, physical exam findings, and brain blood flow as well as a complete resolution of PTSD symptoms.

Similar to this case report, we frequently use 1.5 ATA pressures and blocks of around 40 treatments for treating brain injury at our Edmonton clinic.

Wright (2009) - 2 US servicemen Post Concussion Syndrome with symptoms including irritability, sleep disturbances, headaches, memory and cognitive difficulties.

40 - 80 Hyperbaric Treatments were were done at a pressure of 1.5 ATA. 

Both patients experienced rapid improvement of headaches and sleep disturbances, and improvement in all symptoms and eventual resolution of most symptoms.

Once again, this case report demonstrates efficacy of a moderate pressure such as 1.5 ATA in Brain Injury. The need for a total of 80 treatments in the second case speaks to the idea that some personalization is needed.

At our Edmonton clinic, a break of 4 weeks is reasonable between treatment blocks to allow the brain to rest from the consistent oxidative load.

Shytle 2019 - 3 veterans with chronic Traumatic Brain Injury and PTSD symptoms.

20-35, Hyperbaric Treatments were were done at a pressure of 1.5 ATA (60 minutes).

Case 1: Improvements in judgment, memory, social interactions, anxiety, and headaches.

Case 2: Reduced anxiety, better sleep and motivation, memory and mood.

Case 3: Improvements in impulsivity, anxiety, fatigue, sleep and depression. 

Harch (2012) - 16 veterans with mild to moderate Traumatic Brain Injury with Post Concussion Syndrome and PTSD.

40 Hyperbaric Treatments were were done at a pressure of 1.5 ATA (60 minutes).

12 of 15 (80%) had an improvement in the majority of their symptoms with some having a reduction in their PTSD symptoms.

The patient population included higher severity brain injury (moderate TBI) and still yielded overwhelmingly positive results.

This is likely a population where some of the patients would have benefitted from a second block of treatment which we would have endorsed for our Edmonton brain injury and concussion patients. 

Harch 2012 TBI & Concussion

Brain Injury Treatment FAQ

What does Concussion treatment cost? 

Brain Injury and Concussion programs at our Edmonton office are principally composed of Hyperbaric Treatment with IV Therapy interspersed amongst oral supplements.

60 minute Hyperbaric sessions are usually $185 per session.

IV Therapy costs ranging from $130-$225 on average.

How many treatments do I need? 

Total quantity of treatments will vary from person to person, however, as evidenced above, for Concussion and Brain Injury numerous treatments are usually needed - usually blocks of 40 treatments.

Regular IV Therapy treatments (1x weekly) has proven sufficient for numerous PCS/TBI patients with a goal of cessation of treatment within 12 treatments. 

Our Naturopathic Doctors usually suggest 40 treatments with most Brain Injury and Concussion and then add blocks of 20 as needed.

Do I need a consultation before treatment? 

Yes. But the consultation with one of our Naturopathic Doctor for Brain Injury and Concussion is complimentary.

Our medical staff will determine if our treatments are right for you and make suggestions on frequency needed and if any other treatments may be appropriate.

Are there any side effects? 

As with any efficacious medical treatment side effects are possible but overall the incidence of adverse effects is extremely low with regards to Hyperbaric or IV Therapy.

Brain injury and Concussion protocols tend to use lower Hyperbaric pressures which further reduces chances of adverse effects.

Your Naturopathic Doctor at TruMed will discuss potential adverse effects with you in person.

What do you use inside of the IVs? 

In particular, B Vitamins, Zinc, Magnesium, Phospholipids, Glutathione and NAD+ are all frequently used ingredients for Brain Injury and Concussion treatment.

B-Vitamins and magnesium are intimately involved in neuronal energy production and the regeneration process after brain injury requires much additional energy. Zinc and Magnesium are frequently low in Traumatic Brain Injury Patients.

Still have questions?

(780) 757 8378

Brain Injury IV Therapy 

We Focus on IV Therapy in Edmonton.

Our Naturopathic Doctors focus on Advanced Natural Medicine

Offering Edmonton IV Therapy since 2011

IV Therapies used in Brain Injury

We take your health seriously.

We offer our patients customized IV formulas

Every IV is formulated according to your needs

Each visit we'll "tweak" your IV until it's just right

See our IV Therapy Section 

Select Clinical Trials

There is substantial clinical trial data for use of Hyperbaric Oxygen for Concussion and Traumatic Brain Injury - the results are mostly extremely encouraging hence why we use this in our Edmonton office.

Sigal (2015) - 10 chronic TBI patients were treated with Hyperbaric Therapy with mean of 10.3 years after their injury.

60 Hyperbaric Treatments were were done for 60 minutes.

Increased cerebral blood flow was seen as well as significant improvement in the global cognitive scores, information processing speed, visual spatial and motor skills indices.

This study suggests that Hyperbaric Treatment can improve cognition and may impact TBI related symptoms many years after the initial insult.

Our clinic considers Hyperbaric Treatment for cognitive decline in our Edmonton patients.

Harch (2017) - 30 military subjects with Persistent Post Concussion Syndrome with or without PTSD from mild to moderate Traumatic Brain Injuries that were a minimum of 1 year old.

40 Hyperbaric Treatments were were done at a pressure of 1.5 ATA (60 minutes, twice daily).

Significant improvement was seen in neurological exam, symptoms, IQ, memory, measures of attention, dominant hand motor speed and dexterity, quality of life, mood & PTSD.

At 6-month follow-up subjects reported further symptomatic improvement.

We consider a twice daily regimen at our Edmonton clinic for patients visiting the city for Brain Injury and Concussion treatment under time constraints. 

This is TruMed.

Clinical Trials Continued

Boussi-Gross (2013) - 56 mTBI patients with Post Concussive Syndrome up to 5 years after the initial injury.

40 Hyperbaric Treatments were were done at a pressure of 1.5 ATA (60 minutes)

Significant improvement was observed in all cognitive measures: Information Processing Speed, Attention, Memory, and Executive Functions.

The changes in SPECT images after treatment indicate that Hyperbaric Treatment led to reactivation of neuronal activity.

We reference the Boussi-Gross data as many clients our Edmonton clinic come to us years after the initial Brain Injury as benefit was shown up to 5 years after the initial injury.

Boussi-Gross (2013)

Have Questions?
(780) 757 8378

 
Clinical Trials Continued

Weaver (2018) - 36 military personnel with mild TBI and persistent PCS and 35 received sham treatment.

40 Hyperbaric Treatments were were done at a pressure of 1.5 ATA (60 minutes)

Improved Post-Concussion and PTSD symptoms including sleep quality, anger and memory and balance improvements compared to a worsening in the sham group. 

Harch (2020) -  63 subjects with Persistent Post Concussion Syndrome from mild TBI were treated with a cross over control group with an average of 4.6 years after the injury.

40 Hyperbaric Treatments were were done at a pressure of 1.5 ATA (60 minutes)

Both the study group and control group (once crossed over) showed significant improvements in Post Concussion and PTSD symptoms including memory, cognitive function, mood, sleep and quality of life.

Harch 2020 TBI

Sample Concussion Protocol

 Four Part IV Formula

• Vitamin-Mineral Formula
• NAD+

• Glutathione
• Phospholipids

20 - 60 HBO Treatments
• 1.5 - 2.0 ATA pressure
• 60 - 90 minutes

Oral Supplement Protocol

•Vitamin-C, Vitamin E, NAC

•Phospholipids
•Multivitamin 
•Essential Fatty Acids

Case Study

An example of how our Naturopathic Doctors treat Brain Injury & Concussion.

Mid-thirties male with mild TBI - from MVA using oral, Hyperbaric and IV Therapy.

IV Treatment: 
• IV Nutrients, Glutathione & Lipoic Acid 

Hyperbaric Treatment:
• Mostly as 2.0 ATA for 90 minutes.

Oral protocol:

• Multivitamin, Lipoic Acid, CoQ10 and Phospholipids

Schedule for combined Hyperbaric and IV Therapy

• Week 1 = 2X
• Week 2 = 2X
• Week 3 = 2X
• Week 4 = 1X
• Week 5 = 4X
• Week 6 = 4X

Outcome - Felt about 80% recovered from the accident with improved endurance and stamina after only 15 treatments. 

By using a synergistic approach we often see benefit in Brain Injury and Concussion earlier than what has been reported in clinical trials using Hyperbaric alone.

Get in touch
(780) 757 8378