Hidden Nerve Damage After a Mild Head Injury: How Nurse Practitioners and Integrative Chiropractic Care Can Help Your Brain Heal

Why a “Mild” Head Injury Can Still Be a Big Deal

A mild head injury or concussion can look minor on the outside. You may walk away from a car accident, sports hit, fall, or work injury thinking you are “fine.” Maybe the ER scan is normal. You go home, rest for a little while, and try to get back to your life.

But days or weeks later, you start to notice things:

Headaches that come and go
Brain fog or trouble focusing
Is light or noise bothering you
Mood changes, anxiety, or feeling “off”
Dizziness, balance problems, or odd vision
Numbness, tingling, or strange sensations

These problems can happen even when a head injury is called “mild” and when imaging tests look normal. That is because a traumatic brain injury (TBI) is really an injury to the brain’s nerve cells and support systems. A blow, jolt, or rapid shaking of the head can stretch, twist, or tear tiny nerve fibers, disturbing blood flow and chemistry inside the brain.NINDS+1

In many people, this damage is initially hidden. The person may not realize they have a brain injury until symptoms show up later or slowly build over time.Team Justice+1

This article explains:

What happens to nerves after a mild head injury or TBI
Why damage can be “microscopic” yet life-changing
Common hidden symptoms and delayed warning signs
How nurse practitioners and integrative chiropractors can work together to support healing and neuroplasticity
Practical steps you can take to protect your brain

What Happens to Nerves During a Mild Head Injury?

Diffuse Axonal Injury: Microscopic Tearing of Nerve Fibers

Inside your brain, billions of nerve cells (neurons) communicate through long fibers called axons. A sudden acceleration–deceleration force—like the whiplash of a car crash, a fall, or a sports hit—can make the soft brain twist and slide against the inside of the skull.MSKTC+1

This can cause diffuse axonal injury (DAI):

Axons stretch or tear on a microscopic level
The protective coverings (myelin) can be damaged
Chemical changes occur around the injured cells
Inflammation and swelling can further stress nearby nerve tissue

Even when the injury is labeled “mild,” this kind of axonal damage can disrupt communication between brain regions and between the brain and body. Imaging techniques, such as CT or basic MRI, may not always clearly show this, especially in the early stages.NINDS+1

White Matter and Brain Networks

Much of this damage occurs in the white matter, the wiring that connects different brain areas. When these connections are disrupted, you may feel:

Slower thinking and reaction time
Trouble switching tasks or multitasking
Difficulty with memory or learning new information
Changes in mood, sleep, or motivation MSKTC+1

The Model Systems Knowledge Translation Center (MSKTC) notes that when nerve cells are damaged, they “can no longer send information in the normal way,” which changes behavior and abilities depending on which networks are affected.MSKTC+1

Cranial Nerves: Hidden Problems With Vision, Smell, and Face Sensation

Head trauma can also affect the cranial nerves—the 12 pairs of nerves that control facial muscles, eye movements, taste, smell, hearing, and swallowing. Trauma at the skull base or even “trivial” head injuries can injure these nerves.PubMed+2Mayo Clinic+2

Research shows that even minor head trauma (Glasgow Coma Scale 14–15) can cause cranial nerve palsies, especially involving the olfactory (smell), facial, and eye movement nerves.PubMed+1

Symptoms of cranial nerve damage may include:

Loss or change in smell or taste
Double or blurred vision
Facial numbness or weakness
Ringing in the ears or hearing changes
Difficulty swallowing or speakingVerywell Health+1

These changes might appear right away—or days to weeks later—which is why many people do not connect them back to the original head injury. Verywell Health+1

Central vs. Peripheral Nerves: Why You Might Feel Tingling, Burning, or Electric Pain

Nerve damage after TBI is not only in the brain. The injury can also affect:

Central pathways (brain and spinal cord) that process pain and movement
Peripheral nerves in the body, leading to neuropathy-like symptoms

Chronic pain after TBI often involves neuropathic pain, where damaged nerves send abnormal signals—burning, tingling, stabbing, or electric feelings—even when tissue has healed.MSKTC+2MSKTC+2

The Cleveland Clinic explains that peripheral neuropathy can cause numbness, tingling, burning, or weakness in the hands and feet when peripheral nerves are injured or irritated.Cleveland Clinic+2Cleveland Clinic+2

After a mild head injury, you might notice:

Tingling or numbness in the face, scalp, or limbs
Hypersensitivity to touch
Weird “electric shock” pains in the neck, shoulders, or arms
Unsteady legs or clumsy hands

These symptoms can be caused by:

Cranial nerve injury
Spinal nerve irritation from whiplash and neck strain
Changes in how the brain processes pain signals

Hidden and Delayed Symptoms After a Mild Head Injury

One of the hardest parts of mild TBI is that symptoms may be delayed or subtle at first. Legal and medical resources on car crashes note that concussion symptoms like headache, confusion, dizziness, and memory problems may appear hours, days, or even weeks after the event.Georgia Spine & Orthopaedics+3Team Justice+3Team Justice+3

Physical Symptoms

Headaches or migraines that come and go
Dizziness or vertigo, especially when moving or turning the head
Sensitivity to light or noise
Nausea, motion sickness, or feeling “sea-sick”
Neck and shoulder pain from associated whiplashMayo Clinic+2Inova+2

Cognitive (Thinking) Symptoms

Brain fog or “slow thinking”
Trouble focusing or paying attention
Problems with short-term memory (“What did I just read?”)
Difficulty planning, organizing, or multitaskingMSKTC+2MSKTC+2

Emotional and Behavioral Symptoms

Irritability, anger, or mood swings
Anxiety or depression after the injury
Sleep problems (too much or too little)
Feeling more easily overwhelmed or “not yourself”

Studies show that mental health problems are common after TBI, even when the injury is considered mild.verywellmind.com+2MSKTC+2

Why You Might Not Realize It’s a Brain Injury

You may not link these symptoms to your head injury because:

The accident seemed “minor.”
Emergency scans were “normal.”
Symptoms show up gradually or only when you return to work, school, or sports.
Friends, coworkers, or even some clinicians may say, “You’re fine—it’s just stress.”

But modern TBI guidelines clearly state that mild TBIs can still disrupt brain function and lead to persistent post-concussion symptoms when nerve damage and metabolic disruption do not fully resolve.NINDS+2Verywell Health+2

How the Brain Tries to Repair Itself: Neuroplasticity

The good news is that your brain is not “fixed in stone.” It has a built-in ability called neuroplasticity—the capacity to rewire itself, strengthen healthy connections, and sometimes route functions around damaged areas.MSKTC+2MSKTC+2

Rehabilitation-focused centers explain that after a TBI:

Frequently used neural pathways can be rerouted to healthier brain areas.
The first 3–6 months after injury are a period of higher plasticity, but meaningful recovery can continue for months or years.Flint Rehab+2Flint Rehab+2

Targeted exercises—physical, sensory, balance, and cognitive—can stimulate neuroplasticity and help restore lost or weakened functions over time. Flint Rehab+2MSKTC+2

Dr. Alexander Jimenez, DC, APRN, FNP-BC, emphasizes this in his TBI content: he describes recovery plans that combine spinal alignment, balance training, vestibular work, and functional rehab exercises to tap into the brain’s natural plasticity while also addressing neck and posture problems that can worsen symptoms like headaches and dizziness.El Paso, TX Doctor Of Chiropractic+2El Paso, TX Doctor Of Chiropractic+2

How a Nurse Practitioner Helps After a Mild Head Injury

A nurse practitioner (NP) with experience in concussion and TBI is often one of the best starting points for medical care, especially if symptoms are delayed or confusing.

1. Ruling Out Emergency “Danger Signs”

NPs use current guidelines and resources (like those from Weill Cornell and Mayo Clinic) to screen for warning signs that need immediate ER or specialist care, such as: Weill Cornell Medicine+2 Clinic+2

Worsening or severe headache
Repeated vomiting
Slurred speech or weakness on one side
Seizures
Strong confusion or behavior changes
Difficulty waking or staying awake

If any of these are present, this is not a situation where chiropractic care is the first option—you need an emergency medical evaluation.

2. Diagnosing Hidden Brain and Nerve Problems

An NP can:

Take a detailed history of the injury and timeline of symptoms
Perform a focused neurological exam (cranial nerves, strength, reflexes, sensation)
Screen for cognitive problems, mood changes, and sleep issues
Order imaging tests (CT, MRI) when indicated
Refer for advanced brain imaging when needed to look for microscopic or diffuse damage.com+2NINDS+2

3. Managing Symptoms Medically

Depending on your case, the NP may:

Prescribe medications for headaches, migraines, nausea, mood, or sleep
Address neck and musculoskeletal pain with anti-inflammatory strategies
Treat or monitor conditions that worsen nerve health (diabetes, B12 deficiency, etc.)Cleveland Clinic+1
Screen for chronic pain and connect you to pain specialists, psychologists, or rehab therapists when neededMSKTC+1

4. Coordinating a Team

Nurse practitioners often act as care coordinators, making sure you have the right mix of:

Neurology or physiatry (rehab medicine)
Neuropsychology or counseling
Physical, occupational, and vestibular therapy
Integrative chiropractic care

This team-based model is how many modern TBI clinics operate, including those that integrate medical and chiropractic services. El Paso, TX Doctor Of Chiropractic+2personalinjurydoctorgroup.com+2

How Integrative Chiropractic Care Supports TBI and Nerve Recovery

Chiropractic care is not a replacement for emergency or acute medical treatment. But when used as part of an integrated plan, it can help with many of the musculoskeletal and nervous system issues that follow mild head injuries.

Clinics around the country, as well as Dr. Jimenez’s El Paso team, describe several ways chiropractic care can support TBI recovery: Synergy Chiropractic+4withinchiro.com+4Apex Chiropractic+4

1. Addressing Neck and Spine Alignment After Whiplash

Even when the main injury is in the brain, the neck and upper spine are often strained:

Sudden forces can sprain ligaments and irritate spinal nerves.
Misalignment (subluxation) of cervical vertebrae can contribute to headaches, dizziness, jaw pain, and tingling in the arms.drkal.com+2drkal.com+2

Gentle, evidence-informed chiropractic adjustments and mobilization can help:

Restore joint motion
Reduce muscle tension
Decrease mechanical stress on nerves
Improve posture and head-neck alignment

This may reduce headache frequency and neck-driven dizziness in some patients.Synergy Chiropractic+2Synergy Chiropractic+2

2. Supporting Balance, Coordination, and Body Awareness

Many chiropractors working with TBI patients use:

Balance and proprioception exercises (e.g., standing on foam, gentle head-turn tasks)
Gaze stabilization drills and vestibular exercises
Posture and core-stability training

These strategies can reinforce neuroplastic changes in the brain areas that control balance and body awareness, particularly when combined with physical and vestibular therapy.Flint Rehab+2BrainLine+2

3. Reducing Chronic Pain and Muscle Guarding

Chronic pain after TBI may involve both nerve pain and protective muscle tension. Soft-tissue therapies, gentle spinal adjustments, stretching, and movement re-training can:

Relax overactive muscles
Improve joint movement and circulation
Reduce pain signals feeding into the brainMSKTC+2MSKTC+2

Some integrative chiropractic practices also include:

Breathing and relaxation training
Education on pacing activity to avoid symptom flare-ups
Ergonomic and lifestyle coaching

4. A Note on Safety

A responsible integrative chiropractor will:

Review your medical records and imaging
Screen for red-flag signs that need medical follow-up
Adjust techniques for your comfort and safety (for example, avoiding high-velocity moves in unstable neck injuries or acute phases)
Work closely with your nurse practitioner or physician

The Power of a Nurse Practitioner + Integrative Chiropractor Team

Dr. Alexander Jimenez’s work in El Paso is a good example of how a dual-scope or team-based model can support patients with TBI. He practices as both a chiropractor and an advanced practice nurse (APRN, FNP-BC), and his clinic networks combine: ChiroMed+3El Paso, TX Doctor Of Chiropractic+3El Paso, TX Doctor Of Chiropractic+3

Medical history, physica,l and neurological exams
Imaging and lab testing when needed
Chiropractic adjustments and spinal decompression
Functional rehab, vestibula,r and balance work
Diet, gut health, and anti-inflammatory strategies
Close documentation for personal injury and work-related cases

Even if your providers are separate people, you can still have this kind of integrated care.

What Co-Managed Care Might Look Like

1. Early Phase (Days to First Few Weeks)

Nurse practitioner checks for danger signs, orders imaging if needed, and diagnoses a concussion or mild TBI.
You receive guidance on rest, a gradual return to activity, and medications, if needed, for pain, nausea, or sleep disturbances.Weill Cornell Medicine+2Mayo Clinic+2
If your neck and spine were involved (whiplash, body pain), you’re referred for chiropractic and physical therapy once cleared.

2. Subacute Phase (Weeks to 3–6 Months)

A chiropractor focuses on gentle cervical and thoracic alignment, as well as posture and balance work.
NP monitors symptoms such as headaches, mood, sleep, and cognitive function, and adjusts medications and referrals as needed.
Together, they create a rehabilitation plan that accommodates your daily life, work demands, and family responsibilities.El Paso Back Clinic® • 915-850-0900+3withinchiro.com+3Northwest Florida Physicians Group+3

3. Longer-Term Recovery (Months and Beyond)

If you still have symptoms (post-concussion syndrome), the NP may arrange neuropsychological testing, additional imaging, or specialty referrals.
The chiropractor may continue to work on chronic neck and back issues, as well as posture and movement patterns that continue to stress your nervous system.
Lifestyle changes—such as sleep, nutrition, stress management, and graded exercise—are fine-tuned to support ongoing neuroplasticity. El Paso, TX Health Coach Clinic+3Flint Rehab+3Flint Rehab+3

This type of coordinated care stands out in many of Dr. Jimenez’s TBI-focused articles and clinic pages, where he highlights how blending chiropractic and nurse practitioner skills can uncover hidden TBI symptoms and design safer, more comprehensive recovery plans. El Paso, TX Doctor Of Chiropractic+2elpasochiropractorblog.com+2

How You Can Support Your Nerves and Brain at Home

Always follow the advice of your personal healthcare team, but in general, many TBI resources recommend:

Rest, but not total shutdown. Short, gentle activity with breaks is usually better than lying in bed all day once your provider clears you. Verywell Health+2MSKTC+2
Protect your sleep. The brain heals during sleep. Maintain a regular sleep schedule, limit screen time before bed, and consult your NP if insomnia or excessive sleepiness persists.
Fuel your brain. Eat a nutrient-dense, anti-inflammatory diet that includes lean proteins, healthy fats, colorful fruits and vegetables, and adequate hydration.
Avoid repeat injuries. Do not return to contact sports or high-risk work tasks until cleared by a healthcare professional. A second hit before healing increases the risk of serious complications.NINDS+2Verywell Health+2
Watch for delayed changes. If new or worsening symptoms appear—such as strong headaches, confusion, vision changes, weakness, or major mood shifts—contact your NP or visit the urgent care/ER.BrainLine+3Weill Cornell Medicine+3Mayo Clinic+3

When to Seek Immediate Help

Even if your injury first seemed mild, call emergency services or go to the ER if you notice:

Worsening or severe headache
Repeated vomiting
Seizures
One pupil is larger than the other
Slurred speech, weakness, or numbness on one side
Major confusion, agitation, or unusual behavior
Loss of consciousness or trouble staying awake

These can be signs of bleeding, swelling, or other serious complications and require urgent medical care.Mayo Clinic+2Weill Cornell Medicine+2

Takeaway: You’re Not “Imagining It”—Hidden Nerve Damage Is Real

A mild head injury or “small” car accident can still cause real and meaningful damage to the brain and body nerves:

Microscopic tearing of axons and white-matter pathways
Cranial nerve irritation affecting smell, vision, facial sensation, and more
Changes in how your brain processes pain, balance, and information

These changes can lead to brain fog, headaches, mood shifts, chronic pain, and many other symptoms that appear slowly or seem hard to explain.

You are not weak, dramatic, or “making it up.”

By working with a nurse practitioner and an integrative chiropractor in a coordinated way—like the dual-scope, team-based model used by Dr. Alexander Jimenez’s clinics in El Paso—you can:

Get a clear picture of what is going on
Rule out dangerous complications
Treat both the brain and the spine
Use neuroplasticity-based rehab to help your nervous system reset

Recovery can take time, but with the right support, many people do regain function, reduce symptoms, and feel like themselves again.

References

National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke. (2025). Traumatic brain injury (TBI). NINDS

Model Systems Knowledge Translation Center. (2010). Understanding TBI, Part 1: What happens to the brain during injury and early stages of recovery?. MSKTC

Model Systems Knowledge Translation Center. (2010). Understanding TBI, Part 2: Brain injury impact on individuals’ functioning. MSKTC+1

Model Systems Knowledge Translation Center. (2016). Memory and traumatic brain injury. MSKTC+1

Model Systems Knowledge Translation Center. (2020). Traumatic brain injury and chronic pain: Part 1. MSKTC+2MSKTC+2

Mayo Clinic. (2021). Traumatic brain injury: Symptoms & causes. Mayo Clinic

BrainLine. (2008). What happens immediately after the injury?. BrainLine

Weill Cornell Medicine. (2023). Mild traumatic brain injury: From diagnosis to treatment and recovery. Weill Cornell Medicine+1

Verywell Health. (2025). Cranial nerve damage from head trauma. Verywell Health+1

Coello, A. F., Canals, A. G., González, J. M., Martín, J. J., & Rodríguez, A. (2010). Cranial nerve injury after minor head trauma. Journal of Neurosurgery.PubMed+1

Cleveland Clinic. (n.d.). Peripheral neuropathy: What it is, symptoms & treatment. Cleveland Clinic+1

Cleveland Clinic. (2023). Neuropathic pain (nerve pain). Cleveland Clinic

Flint Rehab. (2024). How does the brain repair itself after a traumatic injury?. Flint Rehab+1

Cognitive FX. (n.d.). Neuroplasticity therapy: How it helps brain injury recovery. cognitivefxusa.com+1

Team Justice. (2021). Concussion after car accident: Signs, causes, legal rights. Team Justice+1

All County Radiology. (n.d.). Traumatic brain imaging. allcountyllc.com+2allcountyllc.com+2

Within Chiropractic. (2025). Chiropractic care for traumatic brain injury after a car accident in Colleyville, TX. withinchiro.com

Apex Chiropractic. (2022). How chiropractic care can treat a traumatic brain injury. Apex Chiropractic+1

Northwest Florida Physicians Group. (2025). Using chiropractic care to treat traumatic brain injuries. Northwest Florida Physicians Group+1

El Paso Chiropractic / Synergy Chiropractic. (n.d.). Traumatic brain injury – Chiropractic for traumatic brain injury recovery in El Paso. Synergy Chiropractic+2Synergy Chiropractic+2

Jimenez, A. (2025). Traumatic brain injury and posture: Signs and solutions. El Paso, TX Doctor Of Chiropractic+2El Paso, TX Doctor Of Chiropractic+2

HealthCoach Clinic. (2025). Head injury solutions for migraines using chiropractic care. El Paso, TX Health Coach Clinic