Understanding Head Injuries: Types, Symptoms, and Prevention
- Catherine York
- 42 minutes ago
- 8 min read
Recent research is reshaping our understanding of brain injuries, showing that it's not just diagnosed concussions we need to worry about. Head acceleration events (HAEs)—impacts to the head that do not produce immediate symptoms—can still cause measurable neurological damage.
These subclinical or "silent" traumatic brain injuries (TBI) may not trigger visible signs at the time, but they initiate subtle inflammatory and structural changes in the brain that accumulate over time.
As outlined in the British Journal of Sports Medicine, even non-concussive impacts have been linked with increased biomarkers of neuroinflammation, white matter damage, cortical thinning, and functional impairments. This growing body of evidence supports what many practitioners and patients already intuitively know:
You can have a brain injury without losing consciousness or experiencing immediate symptoms.
The long-term consequences of these seemingly "mild" injuries can be serious. Repetitive subclinical HAEs are increasingly associated with a higher risk of neurodegenerative conditions like chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE) and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS)—sometimes more so than concussions themselves.
These findings are leading experts to suggest that we need to move beyond the outdated term “subconcussive,” which implies minimal significance. Instead, using the term subclinical TBI recognizes that injury and dysfunction can be present long before symptoms show up, much like how silent strokes can eventually contribute to dementia or cognitive decline.
Understanding and acknowledging these hidden injuries is key—especially when it comes to developing effective prevention, monitoring, and treatment strategies for people exposed to repeated head impacts, whether through sport, accidents, or daily life.
Head injuries are a significant health concern that can have lasting impacts on individuals of all ages. They can range from mild concussions to more severe traumatic brain injuries. Understanding the types, symptoms, and preventive measures for head injuries is crucial in promoting safety and health.
Types of Head Injuries
Head injuries can generally be categorized into two main types: closed and open injuries. A closed head injury occurs when there is no penetration of the skull, often resulting from blunt force trauma. On the other hand, an open head injury involves a break in the skull that can expose the brain to the external environment.
Closed Head Injuries
Closed head injuries are the most common type. They can occur during sports activities, falls, or vehicle accidents. Common examples include concussions and contusions.
Concussions are mild traumatic brain injuries that may cause temporary cognitive or physical symptoms. It often results from a blow to the head or a sudden jolt.
Contusions are bruises on the brain tissue itself. They can occur from bumping the head against a hard surface, leading to bleeding and swelling.
Non-concussive head injuries are impacts to the head that do not cause immediate, noticeable symptoms of concussion—such as loss of consciousness, confusion, or dizziness—but can still result in subtle brain changes and inflammation. Often called subclinical or silent TBIs, these injuries may go undetected in the moment yet can lead to cumulative damage over time, affecting brain structure and function, leading to cognitive decline.
Open Head Injuries
Open head injuries, while less common, are typically more serious. These injuries occur when an object penetrates the skull, leading to potential damage to the brain. Common causes include:
Gunshot wounds
Stabbings
Severe impacts from accidents
The severity of open head injuries often depends on the location and extent of the damage. Symptoms may vary widely and can include loss of consciousness, confusion, and seizures.
Symptoms of Head Injuries
Identifying the symptoms of a head injury can help in seeking timely medical intervention. Symptoms can vary based on the severity and type of injury, but some common indicators include:
Mild Symptoms:
- Headache
- Dizziness
- Nausea
Severe Symptoms:
- Persistent vomiting
- Severe confusion or agitation
- Loss of consciousness
For a head injury to be accurately assessed, it’s essential to monitor the individual closely. Changes in behavior or physical condition should prompt immediate medical attention.
Symptoms of a Non-Concussive Head Injury:
Subtle or persistent headaches
Fatigue or low energy
Brain fog or difficulty concentrating
Mood changes (irritability, anxiety, sadness)
Sleep disturbances (trouble falling or staying asleep)
Sensitivity to light or noise
Neck or shoulder tension
Balance issues or mild dizziness
Slower processing speed or memory lapses
Reduced academic, athletic, or work performance
Visual disturbances (blurry vision, eye strain)
Mild coordination or motor skill changes
These symptoms may develop gradually and can easily be dismissed, but they can signal that the brain is still affected by the event — and that recovery support is needed, even without a diagnosed concussion.
Risk Factors for Head Injuries
Understanding the risk factors associated with head injuries can help in prevention strategies. Key groups at higher risk include:
Babies: Birth trauma from long labours, being stuck in the birth canal, and the use of intereventions such as suction (vendeuse) or forceps can predispose to ongoing damage to the delicate structures of a baby's head.
Children: Young children are prone to falls during play and may not yet be aware of safety protocols.
Teenagers: Active teens are often skateboarding, playing sport, and engaging in high energy activities that put them at greater risk of a head impact.
Adults: Active sports always post a risk, but for adults car, motorcycle and work accidents are more likely drivers of head injury.
Elderly: Older adults often have decreased balance and coordination, making falls more likely.
Athletes: Contact sports often lead to higher incidences of head injuries due to repeated impacts.
Statistics indicate that falls account for nearly half of all head injury-related hospitalizations, emphasizing the need for safety measures in all age groups, but active sports still put players at greater risk.
Even in recreational settings, adult football and rugby players face real risks from repeated head impacts—whether or not a concussion is diagnosed. Over time, these non-concussive injuries can lead to changes in memory, mood, focus, and emotional regulation.
Many players experience chronic headaches, brain fog, irritability, poor sleep, and increased anxiety or depression, often without realizing the root cause is neurological. These subtle but persistent symptoms can affect work performance, relationships, and overall quality of life. Left unaddressed, repeated head impacts may even raise the risk for long-term conditions like chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE) or early-onset cognitive decline.
Prevention Strategies for Head Injuries
Preventing head injuries begins with awareness and education. Here are some effective strategies to reduce the risk:
Wear Protective Gear: Anyone participating in impact sports or activities where falls are likely should always wear a helmet—whether on the field or on the road. With the rise of scooter use, scooter accidents have become a leading cause of traumatic brain injury among young people, making head protection more essential than ever.
Fall-Proof Your Home: Remove tripping hazards like clutter, loose rugs, and improve lighting to prevent falls, especially for children and seniors.
Educate about Safety Protocols: Teach children about the importance of safety while playing and encourage them to follow rules and guidelines during sports and activities.
Regular health check-ups and assessments can also aid in identifying potential risks early on, helping in creating a safer environment.
Bike, Skateboard and Scooter-related Head Injuries
In Australia, cycling accounts for a significant number of head injury-related hospitalisations, with 14,800 cases reported in 2021–22. Similarly, e-scooter-related injuries have surged, with Queensland hospitals recording a 240% increase since 2020, and over 50% of these injuries involve the head or face.
A Royal Melbourne Hospital study recorded head injuries in 50 per cent of e-scooter-related accidents, second to upper limbs at 53 per cent. The study also found that only one-third of e-scooter riders who presented to the emergency department wore a helmet.
Skateboarding—especially when performing tricks or riding on ramps and in urban environments—carries a significant risk of injury, with head trauma being one of the most serious concerns. Research shows that head injuries account for up to 20% of skateboarding-related emergency department visits, and these are more likely to occur during failed tricks, high-speed descents, or falls onto hard surfaces. Without a helmet, even a single fall can result in a concussion, skull fracture, or long-term brain injury. These risks underscore the need for protective gear, especially helmets, whether you're skating recreationally or practicing technical moves.
This skateboarding story offers a sobering example of what is possible from simply skateboarding without a helmet: Father hopes skateboard crash warns others.
Helmets need to be worn vigilantly for modes of movement at speed. It's just not worth the risk.
Car Accidents & Airbag Impacts
Car accidents—even seemingly minor ones—can cause non-concussive head and neck injuries that often go unnoticed at the time but lead to chronic symptoms later. When an airbag deploys or the head is jolted from a sudden stop or impact, the brain and cervical spine experience rapid acceleration and deceleration forces. Even without a diagnosed concussion or visible trauma, this kind of mechanical stress can trigger subtle brain inflammation, microstructural damage, and nervous system dysregulation. These are known as subclinical or silent traumatic brain injuries—injuries that don’t show up on scans and may not cause immediate symptoms, but can result in long-term dysfunction.
Common symptoms of chronic, non-concussive head and neck injuries after a car accident include:
Persistent neck pain or tension
Headaches that develop days or weeks after the accident
Brain fog, trouble concentrating, or memory lapses
Mood changes like irritability, anxiety, emotional lability or low mood
Sleep disturbances or difficulty relaxing
Sensitivity to light or sound
Subtle balance issues or coordination difficulties
Slower thinking or reaction time
These symptoms may linger for months or even years if left untreated—often dismissed or misdiagnosed as unrelated issues.
Understanding that even non-concussive impacts can disrupt brain and nervous system function is key to early intervention and long-term recovery.
When to Seek Help
Knowing when to seek medical assistance is vital in managing head injuries. If someone experiences any severe symptoms, such as loss of consciousness or significant confusion, immediate medical attention is critical. Even if symptoms seem mild, it’s better to err on the side of caution and have a professional evaluate the situation.
With non-concussive head injuries, any change in mental or physical capacity is a red flag, as are as any personality or emotional changes post impact.
Functional changes are best followed up with supportive therapies like Osteopathy, Sacrocranial Therapy, Chiropractic, and Frequency Specific Microcurrent to help protect the neck, nerves, muscles, bones, and brain from lasting damage.
Why Monitoring is Essential
It’s essential to continue observing an individual after a head injury, even a minor one. Sometimes symptoms can worsen over time, indicating a more severe underlying issue. If you notice any troubling signs, especially within the first 24 hours, seek medical care right away, then follow up with protective healing support.
Motor vehicle accidents , airbag impacts, horse falls, skateboarding, skiing, bike riding, dirt bike riding - any high or low velocity impact should be followed with a series of therapies to protect against chronic injury or a chronic Cell Danger Response.
Moving Forward: Awareness and Education
As we learn more about head injuries, spreading awareness becomes our responsibility. Engaging communities through education programs and promoting safe practices in sports and everyday life can significantly reduce head injury occurrences.
Understanding the seriousness of head injuries and sharing knowledge about prevention can be life-saving. Everyone has a role to play, whether through advocating for safety gear, creating safer homes, or simply informing others of the risks involved.
Seeking treatment early helps the body repair delicate tissues when damaged.
By implementing these practices and sharing this information, we can work together to minimize the impact of head injuries on our communities.
In summary, as we navigate activities and environments that pose risks, remain informed and diligent about safety protocols to safeguard against head injuries.
Therapeutic tools like Frequency Specific Microcurrent (FSM), nervous system retraining, and targeted nutrition can help calm inflammation, restore cellular communication, and support true healing after these hidden injuries.
Book a Free 15 Minute Consultation with Monica Williams
If you or a family member has nerve pain, contact Monica to discuss whether Frequency Specific Microcurrent (FSM) therapy could support your recovery.
Based in Maroochydore on the Sunshine Coast, Queensland, Monica offers one of Australia’s most specialised Frequency Specific Microcurrent (FSM) treatments. While most practitioners use FSM alongside other therapies, Monica focuses solely on microcurrent treatment—this is her full-time clinical specialty. She operates with seven FSM machines (compared to the typical 1–3), and integrates Avazzia and Bicom Bioresonance where needed to optimise results.
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