It’s a Head Game – Concussions and Mouth Guards
Recent head injuries to high profile hockey players have shed light on an ongoing epidemic in the hockey world. But why have concussions been silenced for so long?
The culture of hockey has fostered a belief that an injury is a sign of weakness. In an attempt to avoid this perception, thousands of concussions go by unreported, leading to unnecessary disabilities each year.
Boston Bruins center, Marc Savard, is an unfortunate victim of a long-term brain injury, damage that could have been easily avoided if his concussion was properly diagnosed and treated. In hindsight, Savard feels it was not in his best interest to return to the ice as early as he did after receiving a concussion by Pittsburg Penguins Matt Cooke during a game on March 7, 2010.1 The consequence of his premature return found him having random dizzy spells, headaches, fatigue, and depression. If recent news holds up, Bruins fans can be thankful this Thanksgiving for Savard’s much anticipated return to the ice. After almost nine months of rest, Savard passed the final concussion test and has been cleared to begin full contact practice.
Professional contact sports leagues such as the NHL and NFL are taking steps to educate their players on the severity of head trauma with an implementation of new rules and regulations. Along with following established protocols, utilizing personal protection with mouth guards will also reduce accidental
1 http://www.cbc.ca/sports/hockey/story/2010/09/25/sp-savard-bruins.html#ixzz1681mXd00
(Above) Marc Savard lay motionless after a serious collision. Savard hopes to soon return to the game he loves
misfortunes on the ice. Wearing a mouth guard for ice hockey isn’t so much to keep your pearly whites intact, but more to act as a cushion by absorbing the blow your brain would receive when your top and bottom teeth/jaw bang each other during a collision.
Despite these precautions, head trauma can still occur. It is important to recognize a concussion and what actions to take when you receive one. Action does not mean returning to the game after missing a couple shifts to rest; it means visiting a doctor and following through with the determined protocol. Ending this epidemic will only be accomplished by spreading awareness to all levels of the hockey world: players, coaches and parents.
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