When Head Trauma Is Only Part of the Story
After a concussion or head injury, most testing focuses on the brain MRIs, CT scans, cognitive exams. But many patients continue to struggle with:
- Headaches.
- Brain fog.
- Light sensitivity.
- Dizziness.
- Neck pain and stiffness.
…even after brain imaging looks “normal.” For many of these patients, the missing piece is injury to the cervical spine ligaments, especially in the upper neck.
At DMX Miami, we see post-concussion patients from Miami, Fort Lauderdale, Miami-Dade County, Broward County, the Florida Keys, the rest of Florida and the USA, Central and South America (Colombia, Chile, Argentina, Mexico), and the Caribbean, who suspect their neck is part of the problem and they’re often right.
How Concussions and Whiplash Go Hand in Hand
In sports, auto accidents, and falls, it’s common to experience:
- A blow to the head and.
- Rapid acceleration-deceleration forces through the neck.
This combination can:
- Shake the brain inside the skull.
- Stretch or tear cervical ligaments.
- Disrupt precise motion at the upper cervical spine (C0–C2).
Even after brain symptoms start to improve, neck-related instability can keep feeding:
- Headaches.
- Dizziness or imbalance.
- Visual strain.
- “Heavy head” or fatigue with simple tasks.
Why Brain Imaging Isn’t Enough
Brain MRI and CT scans are crucial for ruling out:
- Bleeding.
- Major structural damage.
- Stroke or other serious conditions.
But they typically do not assess:
- Real-time motion at the upper cervical spine.
- Ligament integrity and subtle instability.
- How head and neck movement might be triggering symptoms.
That’s where Digital Motion X-Ray steps in.
How Digital Motion X-Ray Evaluates the Neck After Concussion
At DMX Miami, we use Digital Motion X-Ray to:
- Record the cervical spine as you perform controlled flexion, extension, and rotation.
- Focus especially on the upper cervical segments (C0–C2), where many post-concussion problems originate.
- Measure abnormal translation and angulation that suggest ligamentous laxity.
- Correlate your symptoms (headache, dizziness, brain fog flares) with specific neck movements.
This gives a more complete picture: not just what happened to your brain, but what happened to the mechanical support system under it.
How DMX Findings Help Your Recovery Team
DMX helps:
- Chiropractors and physical therapists refine upper cervical stabilization and mobility work.
- Vestibular and concussion rehab specialists understand how head-neck motion affects symptoms.
- Regenerative medicine providers decide whether targeted ligament treatment is appropriate.
- Attorneys and insurers see that post-concussive symptoms have a structural neck component, not just “subjective complaints”
The goal is a coordinated plan that addresses both brain and neck, not one or the other.
Who Should Consider DMX After Concussion?
DMX may be appropriate if:
- Your concussion came with whiplash, car crash, sports injury, or fall.
- You still have headaches, dizziness, or brain fog months later.
- You also have neck pain, stiffness, or a “heavy head” feeling.
- Brain imaging has been reassuring, but your symptoms remain.
DMX is not a replacement for emergency head imaging, but a next-level evaluation once immediate concerns are addressed.
Why Post-Concussion Patients Travel to DMX Miami
Patients choose DMX Miami because we:
- Specialize in motion-based imaging of the spine, especially the upper cervical region.
- Understand the overlap between neck injury and concussion symptoms.
- Provide reports that integrate with concussion clinics, rehab programs, and legal cases.
- Offer bilingual care for patients from South Florida, the rest of the USA, Central and South America, and the Caribbean.
Your Brain Took the Hit But Don’t Forget Your Neck
If you’re still dealing with “concussion symptoms” long after your brain has been cleared, your neck may still be telling its side of the story.
Learn more: Treatment
Schedule your appointment today: Appointments
Call 305-275-7475 or book your appointment online
Dr. Rodolfo Alfonso, D.C.
Dr. Mark N. Berry, D.C.
Sunset Chiropractic and Wellness
8585 Sunset Dr. STE 102
Miami, Florida 33143