**Concussion Recovery & Cranial Facial Release (NZ) New Zealand

Leading Edge Concussion Treatment NasalRX Christchurch

(Cranial Facial Release NZ - NasalRX at Cranial Solutions)**

Concussions are one of the most misunderstood injuries in modern healthcare. They are often dismissed as “mild,” yet thousands of people continue to experience long-lasting symptoms long after the initial impact. What people call post-concussion syndrome often involves more than just the brain - it includes the cranial bones, facial structures, sinuses, neck, jaw, and the entire neuro-mechanical system.

At Cranial Solutions in Christchurch, people commonly seek help when concussion symptoms continue despite rest, medication, or standard care. Many have lingering issues such as headaches, brain fog, neck tension, sinus pressure, balance changes, visual strain, or difficulty concentrating.

This article explains:

• What actually happens in a concussion

• Why symptoms often last far beyond the initial injury

• How cranial, facial, and structural restrictions contribute

• Why addressing nasal airflow, cranial tension, and posture matters

• The role of Cranial Facial Release NZ (NasalRX) as a conservative, hands-on option

• Why Cranial Solutions Christchurch is becoming go-to clinic for structural concussion support

Board certified safe: no claims of guaranteed outcomes -only biomechanical explanations, symptom-overview, and conservative care insights.

What Exactly Is a Concussion?

A concussion is a mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI) caused by acceleration or deceleration forces. This can include:

• A direct hit to the head

• Whiplash

• A fall

• A sports collision

• Rapid shaking or rotational force

The injury is not just from the impact - it’s from the brain moving within the skull, causing:

• Temporary disruption of brain function

• Strain on cranial nerves

• Changes in circulation and fluid dynamics

• Micro-trauma to neck, jaw, and facial structures

• Disturbances in balance and proprioception

A concussion doesn’t always show on imaging. CT and MRI can appear “normal” even when symptoms persist. This leads many people to feel dismissed or confused.

Why Symptoms Can Persist for Months or Years

Most people recover from a concussion within 2–4 weeks — but many do not.

Persistent symptoms may include:

• Head pressure or headaches

• Sinus congestion or “clogged” feeling

• Brain fog, difficulty concentrating

• Sensitivity to light or screens

• Dizziness or poor balance

• Neck stiffness

• Jaw tension or grinding

• Fatigue or poor sleep

• Irritability, anxiety, mood changes

Why do these symptoms linger?

Reason 1: Cranial bone and facial restrictions

During a concussion, the cranial bones can experience compressive forces. These bones should have micro-movement that supports:

• Sinus drainage

• CSF (cerebrospinal fluid) flow

• Venous drainage

• Neural comfort

• Balanced pressure in the head

When these bones lock up or become restricted, people often describe:

• “Something feels off in my head”

• “Pressure behind the eyes or nose”

• “Foggy or underwater feeling”

Reason 2: Nasal airway collapse or restriction

After a head or facial injury, it is common for the nasal airway to narrow or lose mobility.Reduced nasal breathing = reduced oxygen efficiency + increased stress response.

Reason 3: The neck and jaw take the impact

Whiplash or rotational forces commonly cause:

• Atlas/upper cervical strain

• TMJ dysfunction

• Altered posture

• Muscle guarding

• Headaches

Reason 4: The autonomic nervous system becomes stuck

Many patients remain in a heightened sympathetic (fight-or-flight) state after a concussion.

Symptoms include:

• Anxiety

• Poor sleep

• Noise/light sensitivity

• “Wired but tired”

Reason 5: The venous and lymphatic drainage system backs up

The brain does not have a traditional lymphatic system - instead, it relies on:

• The glymphatic system

• Venous drainage

• Sinus drainage

• CSF flow

When cranial bones and facial structures are restricted, drainage slows and pressure builds.

Why Cranial Mechanics Matter in Concussion Recovery

A concussion is not just a “brain event”; it is a full cranial event.

The skull is made of 22 interconnected bones, each influencing:

• Sinus airflow

• Drainage

• Pressure regulation

• Nerve pathways

• Jaw and bite mechanics

• Balance and spatial awareness

Even micro-restrictions can interfere with:

• Eye movement

• Sound processing

• Facial tension

• Balance

• Breathing

• Cognitive clarity

This is why many people experience improvements only when the mechanical component of their concussion is addressed.

The Cranial–Sinus–Breathing Connection

Post-concussion symptoms often overlap with:

• Persistent sinus congestion

• Difficulty breathing through the nose

• Increased head pressure

• Sleep disturbances

• Brain fog

Why?

Because the cranial bones directly influence the structure of the nasal passages, particularly:

• The ethmoid

• The sphenoid

• The maxilla

• The vomer

When these become restricted, airflow changes, and the body compensates by:

• Mouth breathing

• Forward head posture

• Increased neck tension

• Reduced oxygen efficiency

• Higher stress hormones

Restoring nasal airflow can play a surprisingly large role in concussion recovery.

Cranial Facial Release NZ (NasalRX): A Conservative Structural Approach

At Cranial Solutions Auckland and Christchurch, practitioners offer NasalRX, a form of Cranial Facial Release designed to work with:

• Nasal passage restrictions

• Cranial mobility

• Facial bone alignment

• Sinus airflow

• Head pressure mechanics

• Nervous system regulation

⚠ AHPRA-safe clarification:

NasalRX does not claim to treat or cure concussion.It is offered as a conservative structural approach that can support comfort, drainage, breathing mechanics, and cranial mobility - factors that commonly influence post-concussion symptoms.

Many individuals seek NasalRX when they experience:

• Ongoing head pressure

• Persistent nasal congestion post-injury

• Brain fog

• Difficulty “resetting” their system

• A sense that something in the head feels “stuck”

Sessions involve:

• Assessment of cranial and facial biomechanics

• Gentle cranial work

• Nasal-specific inflations performed by trained practitioners

• Neck and jaw structural assessment

• Breathing and posture guidance

Again, no guarantees - but many patients appreciate the mechanical support, especially when standard recommendations have plateaued.

The Role of Chiropractic & Structural Care After Concussion

Cranial Solutions’ approach integrates:

• Upper cervical and neck assessment

• Jaw and bite mechanics

• Rib and diaphragm involvement

• Cranial rhythm

• Posture

• Breathing patterns

• Nervous system tone

Patients often discover that their concussion symptoms relate not only to the brain but to the mechanical distortions caused by the injury.

Common Post-Concussion Patterns Seen in Clinic

1. Forward Head Posture

This increases tension at the skull base and affects blood/CSF flow.

2. Locked Sphenoid + Maxilla

Common after impact injuries; influences sinus function and eye strain.

3. Jaw Compression

Clenching, grinding, or shifting following the injury.

4. Blocked Nasal Passage

Often unnoticed until breathing retraining begins.

5. Autonomic Nervous System Hyperactivity

Difficulty calming down or sleeping.

6. Eye Tracking + Vestibular Imbalance

Connected to cranial nerve irritation.

These patterns are why concussion recovery requires more than rest — it requires a deeper look at cranial mechanics.

Why Cranial Solutions (Christchurch) Is Becoming a Go-To Clinic for Post-Concussion Structural Support

Many people come to Cranial Solutions after:

• Months or years of symptoms

• Being told “everything looks normal”

• Having tried medication or passive management

• Feeling stuck or misunderstood

• Experiencing sinus, jaw, neck, or breathing issues post-injury

What makes Cranial Solutions different:

• Detailed cranial + facial assessment

• Integration of NasalRX for nasal airflow mechanics

• Advanced sinus + cranial biomechanics understanding

• Whole-head, neck, and airway approach

• Gentle, structured care plans

• Clinics available in Christchurch

While not a concussion treatment in the medical sense, the structural assessments offered at Cranial Solutions help people understand the mechanical and cranial contributions to their symptoms - and explore conservative options to support recovery.

What to Expect in a Session

1. Comprehensive history - mechanism of injury, symptom progression, triggers

2. Cranial and facial bone assessment

3. Neck, jaw, sinus and breathing evaluation

4. NasalRX / Cranial Facial Release treatment - (several insertions)

5. Posture and breathing guidance

6. Review of lifestyle factors and recovery strategies

Sessions are tailored individually.

Practical Strategies to Support Concussion Recovery at Home

These general wellness strategies may support comfort and recovery:

1. Prioritise nasal breathing

Reduces sympathetic activation and improves oxygen efficiency.

2. Reduce screen time

Especially during flare-ups of eye strain or headaches.

3. Gentle neck stretching + mobility

Supports circulation and reduces tension.

4. Improve sleep hygiene

The brain heals most during deep sleep cycles.

5. Hydration + electrolytes

Supports brain and nervous system function.

6. Avoid heavy exercise early on

Gradual reintroduction is key.

When to Consider Booking With Cranial Solutions

You might consider an assessment if you experience:

• Persistent head pressure

• Ongoing congestion or difficulty breathing through your nose

• Post-concussion headaches

• Brain fog or difficulty concentrating

• Neck stiffness or jaw tension

• Balance or visual discomfort

• A sense that “something hasn’t been right since the injury”

Cranial Facial Release NZ - NasalRX Cranial Solutions Clinic

• Cranial Solutions Christchurch – full structural cranial care + NasalRX