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Concussion concerns rising with start of Fall sports season

Posted at 10:06 AM, Aug 04, 2015
and last updated 2015-08-04 10:06:54-04

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich.-Dr. Matt Axtman of Spectrum says despite wide-spread belief, a concussion doesn't have to come from a blow to the head.  "You can get a blow to the body, race car drivers can get it or soccer players get hit in the chest and their head snaps back," said Dr. Axtman.  He describes a concussion as a bowl of jello shaking in the skull.  "What happens is that jello goes back and forth and that's what happens to the brain and what it does is gets hyper excitable and it releases all these chemicals into the brain and all these nerve cells just start firing at a million miles per hour," said Axtman a Doctor Ostheopathy.

Spectrum Health is hosting a concussion seminar to teach parents, coaches and athletes more about concussions.  It's Monday August 3, from 7pm to 8:30pm at the Prince Conference Center at 1800 East Beltline Avenue SE.  To register, call 616-267-2626.