Welcome to Methods of Care’s Well-Being Diary Series

Each week, we feature a member of the community’s quest for well-being by exploring their preferred pathways for self-care. 

We share these stories to learn what may or may not be of support to someone on a similar wellness journey. As ever and always, diverse health considerations require uniquely individualized solutions; all approaches should be consulted on with your doctor and tailored to you!

Age: 41

Location: Waterdown, Ontario

Health Consideration: Concussion and whiplash from a high-impact rear-ending car accident

Occupation: Self-Employed

Do you have extended health benefits? No for work-related benefits; Yes for car insurance

What happened?

My car was rear-ended at full-speed while I was stopped at a red light. Thankfully, everyone was okay; I was lucky enough to have no injuries beyond muscle pain, whiplash, and a concussion — but the concussion quickly proved to be extremely debilitating. 

What treatments, services, acts of self-care, etc. do / did you use on a relatively consistent basis for these health considerations: 

Osteopathy and craniosacral therapy — 3, then 2, then 1 x weekly

Physiotherapy for concussion protocol — 1 x weekly, then 1 x biweekly

Acupressure as part of physiotherapy for concussion protocol — 1 x biweekly, as needed

Grocery delivery — 1 x weekly

Headache hat — daily

Neck support rig — 3-ish x weekly

What of the above have you personally found to be the most helpful when it comes to managing your health considerations?

Craniosacral therapy and osteopathy

Physiotherapy concussion protocol

Grocery delivery

Have you noticed any predictable or surprising benefits from any of these treatments/services? 

Predictable? I did use some psychotherapy and somatic experiencing appointments to help process the accident. Even though my only injuries were a concussion and whiplash, the shock of being rear-ended with such force was more than just a physical jolt. I knew from previous experience with those modalities that taking the time to cope with the event and validate the shock, overwhelm, anxiousness, and frustration would help in the long run — which they did! 

As for what surprised me, craniosacral therapy. In addition to concussion-specific physiotherapy, my family doctor had recommended osteopathy shortly after the car accident, but I had only ever experienced one partial cranial sacral treatment as part of a more traditional massage; before this, I never knew how incredibly beneficial craniosacral therapy (CST) can be for concussion treatment until I met Dr. Ernest Geid at Osteopathy First. I trusted him immediately and, to see the impact of craniosacral therapy on concussion recovery unfold firsthand, providing such tangible relief and support in the healing process, was both reassuring and remarkable. It truly underscored the profound potential of osteopathy as a gentle yet powerful approach to recovery of concussion and traumatic brain injury. 

Is there a related wellness gadget you can’t be without? 

My headache hat! With well-over 2,000+ positive reviews on Amazon, the Halos Migraine Relief Cap provides gentle compression to feel like a weighted blanket for your head. It feels incredible!

I did try a neck hammock, which was ok. Stephanie Aubin, my physiotherapist at OMNI Health & Rehab Clinic, was doing these very specific pulls on my neck that not only felt incredible in the moment, but provided noticeable long-lasting effects. The neck hammock mimicked a take-home sheet she provided and was the closest I could get to feeling a relatively similar impact at home, but definitely not the same as her expert pulls and twists! 

Were there any treatments or services you tried that ultimately didn’t do all that much for your concerns? 

Early on when I was attending OMNI Health & Rehab Clinic for its Concussion Management Program, we tried acupuncture for its potential benefits in concussion recovery. At first I felt okay, but once the intradermal needle was fully set to its necessary point, my nervous system felt an overwhelming reaction and I needed to stop. Stephanie was nothing short of understanding and on-top-of-it, swiftly reversing course and taking an alternatively supportive route with acupressure instead — which was amazing, and I responded well to it. To my understanding, I’m an anomaly and that many people enjoy impactful relief from acupuncture, so I was surprised when my body said ‘nope’ to it, at least in that context for now!

What’s a treatment or service you haven’t yet tried that you are most interested in giving a whirl?

Vision therapy, which is a personalized treatment program designed to improve the communication between the eyes and the brain, enhancing visual function and alleviating symptoms around specific visual deficits.

I was doing some related exercises through physiotherapy that were incredibly helpful when I learned that a full optometric vision therapy protocol was also available for concussion support. I went for an initial assessment and appointment but, full disclosure, around that time, my plate was so overloaded between existing concussion-related appointments, some exceptionally high additional stress, and trying to get back to life’s routine — all in addition to recovering from the accident. I had every intention, but wasn’t able to fully add it in at the time; I’m not sure if I’ve missed the window for it to be helpful — I should get back to looking into it! 

If a friend messaged you with a similar health concern to yours, what’s the #1 treatment or service you would most strongly encourage them to try first? 

This is nothing against massages — of course, they can feel incredible and, after a stressful event, who wouldn’t want that! But that said, I’d encourage looking into craniosacral therapy, a specialized concussion management protocol, and vision therapy.

What are your biggest challenges when it comes to pursuing wellness modalities or self-care when it comes to your health concerns? 

Time and capacity. Finding service providers to try, going to appointments, doing the homework, and optimizing days and weeks to feel better can feel like its own full-time job sometimes when you don’t feel well. Thankfully, all of the providers I went to were incredible and made the process so much easier; for example, Ernest Geid especially, and his schedule that includes evening and weekend availability, and the opportunity to book or manage appointments online helped immensely.

What do you know now that you wish you knew back when your health considerations first presented themselves? 

I wish I had a better understanding on how long it can possibly take to recover from a concussion of this nature; I think I naively figured that I’d be back to it in no time. I’m so glad I listened to my providers and didn’t try to rush things this time. Taking the time to recover at a safer pace ultimately lessened the time I experienced symptoms.

If you could share one beginner’s tip or something important to know about starting any treatments/services/etc, what would it be? 

While yes, concussion recovery involves a lot of rest, I wouldn’t say the process is passive. With that, three tips I would share is to: 

#1 — Lean into recovery and prioritize it best you can. As with anything, you have to do the homework to see the results. Even if it’s a craniosacral therapy massage, and the instruction is to go home and drink water, go home and drink the water! Also, if possible, invest in grocery delivery or other alternatively supportive services like house cleaning, errand running, or even a temporary virtual assistant — all to help ease your mental and physical load, as well.

#2 — Make peace with the fact that, as with anything, healing isn’t linear and can’t necessarily be rushed so don’t feel discouraged if there are days or weeks where you feel stagnant or a regression on feeling like you’re back to yourself.

#3 — If possible, have a trusted support person or two who can help you navigate and keep up with all of the insurance-related requirements and documentation. Having to manage such an overwhelming amount of paperwork and detail-oriented tasks after a TBI can feel like a cruel irony — adding unnecessary stress to an already challenging recovery process. 

Are there any specific resources or practitioners you would recommend to others? 

Dr. Ernest Geid at Osteopathy First in Burlington, Ontario

From the moment you’re under the care of Dr. Ernest Geid at Osteopathy First, it’s quickly apparent just how well you’re going to be truly taken care of; I’m telling you, you rest easy immediately, knowing every aspect of your well-being is being meticulously, attentively, and empathetically addressed.

Ernest’s expertise in the human body and its intricate systems is nothing short of profound. With a storied medical career spanning over 30+ years, his specialties enable him to provide an in-depth level of health support and wellness care that is both rare and unparalleled — crystal clear in the results he achieves. His approach, marked by his innate understanding of well-being, ensures that each treatment is precisely tailored to meet your individual needs, reflective of his unwavering commitment and extensive experience. 

To say I wholeheartedly recommend Ernest Geid’s services to anyone wanting support for a myriad of health and wellness concerns, not just concussion support, is an understatement! His expert care — plus his genuine wish and dedication for each patient’s well-being — is evident at every interaction and your well-being is left all the better for it.

Stephanie Aubin at OMNI Health & Rehab Clinic in Burlington and Milton, Ontario

When physiotherapist Stephanie Aubin says one of the most rewarding parts of her job is “giving you the tools you need to get back to your full function,” she absolutely delivers on that sentiment through her forward-thinking and effective approach to concussion recovery. 

Stephanie and the rest of the team at OMNI Health & Rehab Clinic carefully consider ever-growing research around concussion recovery while mindfully weaving together various modalities for support; she quickly identifies what’s helping and what isn’t, and is always ready to pivot and accommodate to ensure your care is continually optimized for your needs. 

In a situation where many insurance coverage policies can feel very standardized, Stephanie’s skillful care feels anything but cookie-cutter. By way of OMNI’s specially designed Concussion Management Program, she integrates a host of evidence-based well-being modalities such as manual therapy, exercise prescription, acupuncture, acupressure, vision supports, and more, all while offering a soothing presence teeming with thoughtfulness and consideration for your overall well-being. 

I also wholeheartedly recommend Stephanie and OMNI Health & Rehab Clinic for her exceptional concussion support.

Dr. Breanne Facey & Kayla at Perspective Vision in Burlington, Ontario

At Perspective Vision, optometrist Dr. Breanne Facey and vision therapist Kayla create an environment that is not just welcoming, but also infinitely supportive and proactive — particularly in the specialized areas of vision therapy.

Full transparency, my experience with their services isn’t technically with me yet; instead, it began when my daughter embarked on vision therapy with Kayla. The results were nothing short of spectacular as Kayla’s extraordinary expertise, coupled with her warm encouragement and tailored approach, led to a transformative and highly successful experience.

It was by chance during one of my daughter’s appointments that I discovered the potential vision therapy has within concussion recovery — which makes sense in hindsight, I just hadn’t connected the dots! I’ve since learned that where concussions can disrupt the delicate coordination between the eyes and the brain, leading to persistent issues like double vision, eye strain, headaches, and focusing difficulties, vision therapy can help address these issues, working to restore normal visual function and alleviate symptoms.

I also wholeheartedly recommend Dr. Facey and Kayla at Perspective Vision to anyone seeking top-notch eye care — especially those in need of vision therapy for concussion recovery. I know I haven’t attended for that personally, but I saw their successful results with my daughter and feel confident that, if you’re looking for a vision therapist for concussion, Kayla is 100% absolutely worth calling for her remarkable guidance, skill, and expertise!

The content shared here is for informational or educational purposes only, and not intended as medical advice. Please always consult with your doctor before making any changes to your care plan!