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Continuing on with our feature on snowboarding we post our third and final article, so enjoy the read.

When Can You Start Snowboarding Again?

So when can you actually start snowboarding again after having a concussion? Ultimately, that’s a conversation you need to have with your doctor. 

At a minimum, all of your concussions symptoms should be resolved. If you’re experiencing problems, it’s a sign that your brain has not sufficiently healed and that it’s too soon to start snowboarding.

Talk to your doctor about the timeline for getting back into snowboarding. As much as you want to get back on the slopes, be patient and heed your doctor’s counsel. 

Rushing back into snowboarding too quickly can ultimately hurt you.

The CDC says the following about returning to activities following a concussion:

It is important to monitor symptoms and cognitive function carefully during each increase of exertion. 

Athletes should only progress to the next level of exertion if they are not experiencing symptoms at the current level. If symptoms return at any step, an athlete should stop these activities as this may be a sign the athlete is pushing too hard. 

Only after additional rest, when the athlete is once again not experiencing symptoms for a minimum of 24 hours, should he or she start again at the previous step during which symptoms were experienced.

The “Through Darkness” Project

Snowboarders Melissa Brandner and Manuela Mandl both experienced multiple concussions and the painful aftereffects that accompany them. 

To help raise awareness of the serious effects of concussions on snowboarders, they created the film Through Darkness.

Photo’s below are D. Laird Allan’s two Grandson’s

As Brandner told Whitelines:

We wanted to raise awareness around concussions in snow sports, action sports and how serious they can be and how even small ones can actually cause issues if you don’t take notice of it. 

But also, just to create more talk and openness about the side effects of sports injuries, especially mental side.

In the same interview, Manuela said:

There needs to be so much more talk about this. There can also be long term mental side effects and if people don’t know about it… 

The cause of depression might be a concussion and if you don’t know that, things can become very hard. That’s just one of the side effects.

Through Darkness is a important because it was done by snowboarders for snowboarders. Snowboarding, like many other outdoor sports, can have some extreme elements, like huge jumps, grinding on rails, spins, and flips. 

If you experience a concussion while doing one of these things, you may be tempted to try to shake it off and keep going.

Manuela and Brandner encourage just the opposite. 

They encourage you to rest and recover, giving your brain adequate time to heal. 

https://rootsrated.com/stories/a-quick-and-dirty-guide-to-skiing-and-snowboarding-near-boulder

They also encourage you to get professional treatment to ensure a thorough recovery.

Protect Your Brain

There is nothing more important than protecting your brain. 

If you want to enjoy many years of snowboarding, it’s critical that you take appropriate steps to avoid concussions and give yourself plenty of time to heal after a concussion.

Wear a helmet, get professional training, and strengthen your legs and hips to give you more control on the slopes.

If you do experience a concussion, be patient with the recovery process. 

When asked whether it takes the mind longer to heal than the body, Melissa Brandner told Whitelines:

I definitely think so. I think the frustrating thing is that when you have a torn ligament you have a plan and know when you will get better. 

But having a head injury, no one can tell you how long it will take to recover. 

They can just tell you that you will recover but they can’t tell you how long it will take.

If you try to get back too soon, you can make things worse. Repeat concussions could potentially even end your ability to snowboard altogether.

So should you snowboard? Yes, absolutely.

Just protect your brain while you’re doing it.

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