Head and Neck Injury Nutrition Care in El Paso

Abstract

A concussion, whiplash injury, or other head and neck trauma can affect more than the painful area. An injury may influence the brain, cervical spine, digestive system, immune system, muscles, sleep, energy levels, and nervous system at the same time. This relationship can be viewed through the Gut-Brain-Spine Connection.

At ChiroMed Integrated Medicine in El Paso, Texas, we can approach injury recovery from several directions. Protein-forward nutrition, healthy fats, hydration, sleep, metabolic support, functional medicine, chiropractic care, and rehabilitation may help create a healthier environment for recovery. For carefully selected patients, advanced medical, regenerative, laser, or interventional therapies may also be considered for specific musculoskeletal injuries.

The goal is not to claim that one food, supplement, adjustment, or injection can “cure” a concussion or whiplash injury. Instead, an integrated plan looks at the neurological, structural, nutritional, and metabolic factors that may influence healing.

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Understanding the Gut-Brain-Spine Connection

Most people know that the brain controls many functions in the body. What is sometimes overlooked is that communication also travels back toward the brain.

The digestive system communicates with the brain through what researchers call the gut-brain axis.

This communication involves:

• The vagus nerve
• The autonomic nervous system
• The enteric nervous system
• Gut bacteria
• Hormones
• Immune signals
• Neurotransmitters
• The intestinal barrier
• Metabolic chemicals produced by gut microbes

The Cleveland Clinic describes the gut and brain as being in constant two-way communication. Changes in stress, digestion, inflammation, and the intestinal environment may influence signals traveling between these systems (Cleveland Clinic, 2023).

Research also shows that the gut microbiome and intestinal barrier interact with immune and nervous system activity (Gwak & Chang, 2021).

The Gut-Brain-Spine Connection expands this concept to include the spine’s musculoskeletal and neurological role.

The neck contains joints, muscles, ligaments, discs, nerve roots, and other tissues that provide constant sensory information to the nervous system. When a traumatic injury affects the head and cervical spine together, several parts of this communication network may become disturbed.

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What Happens During Whiplash and Concussion?

During a motor vehicle collision, fall, work injury, or sports accident, the head may rapidly move forward, backward, sideways, or in a combination of directions.

The brain may move inside the skull while the neck experiences strong mechanical forces.

A patient may develop:

• Whiplash-associated disorder
• Concussion or mild traumatic brain injury
• Cervical joint irritation
• Muscle strain
• Ligament injury
• Disc injury
• Headaches
• Neck stiffness
• Muscle spasms
• Dizziness
• Fatigue
• Brain fog
• Poor concentration
• Balance problems
• Sleep disturbances
• Nausea
• Light or noise sensitivity

The important point is that brain symptoms and neck symptoms can overlap.

A headache after an accident, for example, may have several possible contributors. The person may have concussion symptoms, cervical muscle tension, irritated joints, sleep problems, dehydration, stress, or a combination of these factors.

That is one reason a thorough evaluation matters.

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A Head Injury May Also Affect the Gut

Researchers are studying how traumatic brain injuries influence the intestinal system.

After brain trauma, changes may occur in autonomic nervous system activity, inflammation, intestinal movement, immune signaling, intestinal permeability, and the gut microbiome.

Research has identified possible changes involving:

• Gut bacterial populations
• Intestinal barrier function
• Inflammatory signals
• Immune activity
• Digestion
• Microbial metabolites

A review by Aghakhani (2022) found evidence connecting mild traumatic brain injury and changes in the gut microbiome. However, much of the strongest evidence has come from animal research, and more human research is needed.

This distinction matters.

Supporting digestive health through good nutrition can be a reasonable part of an overall recovery program, but probiotics, special diets, or microbiome therapies should not be presented as proven cures for concussion.

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Why Nutrition Matters After Head and Neck Trauma

An injured body needs raw materials.

Tissues do not rebuild themselves without energy, protein, fats, vitamins, minerals, water, and other nutrients.

After an injury, nutrition may become even more important because the body is dealing with:

• Inflammation
• Cellular repair
• Muscle recovery
• Changes in physical activity
• Stress
• Poor sleep
• Increased nutritional needs
• Changes in appetite

A systematic review by Finnegan et al. (2022) examined nutritional interventions following mild traumatic brain injury. The researchers found promising evidence for several nutritional approaches but also concluded that stronger human trials are still needed before universal concussion supplement recommendations can be made.

For patients recovering from an accident, this means starting with the basics.

Build the body before looking for a miracle supplement.

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Start With Protein-Forward Nutrition

Protein is one of the most important nutritional building blocks during physical recovery.

Protein provides amino acids that the body uses to maintain and repair:

• Muscle
• Connective tissue
• Enzymes
• Hormones
• Immune proteins
• Structural tissues

After a neck injury, patients sometimes become much less active because movement hurts.

Reduced activity can contribute to muscle loss and weakness. This can make rehabilitation more difficult.

A protein-forward recovery plan may include foods such as:

• Eggs
• Chicken
• Turkey
• Salmon
• Tuna
• Lean beef
• Greek yogurt
• Cottage cheese
• Beans
• Lentils
• Tofu
• Tempeh
• Protein shakes when appropriate

Instead of eating nearly all protein at dinner, spreading protein across breakfast, lunch, dinner, and snacks can help provide amino acids throughout the day.

There is no single ideal protein amount for every injured person.

Needs may change based on age, body weight, kidney health, activity, injury severity, medical history, and rehabilitation goals.

This is where combining nutrition and clinical evaluation becomes valuable.

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Build an Anti-Inflammatory Recovery Plate

Inflammation is part of normal healing.

The goal is not to eliminate every inflammatory response. The goal is to support normal healing while avoiding lifestyle factors that may contribute to excessive or prolonged systemic inflammation.

A simple recovery plate can include:

Protein

Choose foods such as:

• Fish
• Chicken
• Eggs
• Turkey
• Lean meats
• Beans
• Lentils

Colorful vegetables

Examples include:

• Spinach
• Kale
• Broccoli
• Bell peppers
• Carrots
• Tomatoes
• Squash

Healthy fats

Consider:

• Extra-virgin olive oil
• Avocado
• Nuts
• Seeds
• Fatty fish

High-fiber carbohydrates

Examples include:

• Oatmeal
• Potatoes
• Sweet potatoes
• Beans
• Brown rice
• Quinoa
• Whole grains

Fruit

Good options include:

• Blueberries
• Strawberries
• Apples
• Oranges
• Kiwi
• Grapes

Whole-food nutrition provides more than calories. It provides vitamins, minerals, fiber, antioxidants, essential fats, and plant compounds that support normal metabolism.

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Omega-3 Fats and Brain Health

Omega-3 fatty acids are often discussed in brain injury nutrition.

Two commonly studied omega-3 fatty acids are:

• EPA
• DHA

DHA is an important component of brain-cell membranes.

Foods naturally rich in omega-3 fats include:

• Salmon
• Sardines
• Trout
• Mackerel
• Walnuts
• Chia seeds
• Flaxseed

Research into omega-3 supplementation following concussion is promising, but current evidence does not support claiming that omega-3 supplements cure concussion.

Finnegan et al. (2022) found encouraging findings for nutritional interventions after mild traumatic brain injury while emphasizing the need for stronger clinical research.

Food-first nutrition remains a practical starting point.

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What About Magnesium, Vitamin D, Creatine, and Other Supplements?

Several nutrients are being studied for neurological health and recovery.

These include:

• Magnesium
• Vitamin D
• Zinc
• Creatine
• B vitamins
• Antioxidants
• Omega-3 fatty acids

However, supplementation should be individualized.

More is not automatically better.

For example, a patient’s supplementation plan may need to change because of:

• Kidney disease
• Liver disease
• Medications
• Blood thinners
• Gastrointestinal conditions
• Laboratory findings
• Pregnancy
• Upcoming procedures

Functional medicine can be useful because the clinician can look beyond the name of the injury and ask whether another health problem may be interfering with recovery.

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Support the Gut With Fiber and Food Diversity

The intestinal microbiome includes trillions of microorganisms.

Some gut bacteria help process dietary fibers and create substances called short-chain fatty acids.

These compounds participate in metabolic and immune signaling.

Foods that support dietary diversity may include:

• Vegetables
• Fruits
• Beans
• Lentils
• Nuts
• Seeds
• Oats
• Whole grains
• Fermented foods when tolerated

A healthy gut does not require an extreme detox diet.

For many people, consistently eating whole foods, enough fiber, adequate protein, and fewer heavily processed foods is a more sustainable approach.

Research continues to examine how the microbiome, intestinal barrier, nervous system, and immune system communicate (Gwak & Chang, 2021).

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Hydration Matters More Than Many Patients Realize

Even mild dehydration can contribute to symptoms such as:

• Headaches
• Fatigue
• Poor concentration
• Dizziness
• Exercise intolerance

Those symptoms can also appear after concussion and whiplash.

This means dehydration can make an already difficult recovery feel worse.

Patients should maintain appropriate fluid intake and discuss electrolyte replacement with a healthcare professional when needed.

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Sleep Is Part of Injury Treatment

Food is important, but the body also needs time to repair itself.

Sleep supports:

• Brain function
• Memory
• Immune regulation
• Hormone regulation
• Muscle recovery
• Pain control
• Metabolism

Sleep disturbances are common after concussion and painful neck injuries.

A healthier sleep routine may include:

• Maintaining regular sleep and wake times
• Reducing bright light late at night
• Limiting caffeine later in the day
• Avoiding excessive alcohol
• Gradually increasing appropriate daytime activity
• Keeping the bedroom dark and comfortable

Persistent sleep problems after a head injury should be discussed with a healthcare provider.

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Where ChiroMed Integrative Chiropractic Care Fits

At ChiroMed Integrative Medicine in El Paso, the treatment model brings multiple aspects of injury recovery together.

ChiroMed describes its current approach as combining chiropractic care, nurse practitioner services, rehabilitation, nutrition, functional medicine, and other health services in a patient-centered model.

For injured patients, this approach is important because a neck injury does not exist separately from the rest of the person.

Chiropractic and rehabilitative care may address musculoskeletal problems such as:

• Restricted cervical movement
• Joint dysfunction
• Muscle tightness
• Muscle guarding
• Postural changes
• Shoulder compensation
• Mechanical neck pain
• Reduced movement tolerance
• Weakness following inactivity

Chiropractic care does not treat or replace medical management of a brain injury itself.

Instead, it may help address the musculoskeletal injuries that can occur alongside a concussion.

A patient with trauma should first be evaluated for conditions that could make cervical manipulation or other treatment inappropriate, including fracture, serious neurological injury, instability, or vascular injury.

Care can then be matched to the individual’s diagnosis.

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Rehabilitation Helps Turn Healing Into Function

Pain reduction is only part of successful recovery.

A patient eventually needs to regain movement, stability, strength, coordination, and confidence.

Rehabilitation may include:

• Cervical mobility exercises
• Stabilization exercises
• Posture training
• Shoulder strengthening
• Balance training
• Gradual cardiovascular exercise
• Neuromuscular re-education
• Progressive return to work
• Progressive return to recreation or sports

The goal is to help the person return to normal life rather than become dependent on passive treatment.

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Advanced Regenerative and Interventional Therapies

Some patients develop persistent neck pain after an injury despite appropriate conservative care.

If examination and diagnostic testing identify a specific pain-generating structure, advanced interventions may sometimes be considered.

Platelet-Rich Plasma

Platelet-rich plasma, or PRP, is prepared from the patient’s own blood. A concentrated platelet preparation is then delivered to a carefully selected musculoskeletal target.

PRP is being studied for problems involving joints, tendons, ligaments, and certain spinal pain conditions.

Smith et al. (2023) studied PRP for cervical facet joint pain in patients with chronic whiplash-associated disorders. Participants experienced improvements in pain and disability.

However, this was a prospective case series, not a large randomized controlled trial.

That means PRP for chronic whiplash remains an emerging treatment, not a guaranteed cure.

PRP and other orthobiologic procedures should also not be described as directly repairing a concussion.

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Laser Therapy and Neck Rehabilitation

Laser-based therapies are another tool sometimes incorporated into musculoskeletal rehabilitation.

A systematic review by de la Barra Ortiz et al. (2024) found that high-intensity laser therapy combined with rehabilitation may improve pain and disability in people with neck pain.

A 2025 network meta-analysis by Hao et al. also found evidence supporting several physical treatment modalities for neck-pain rehabilitation, including high-intensity laser and extracorporeal shockwave therapy.

These treatments may therefore have a role in selected musculoskeletal neck conditions.

They should not be confused with treatments directed at the injured brain.

For example, Taylor et al. (2024) conducted a randomized, placebo-controlled clinical trial of transcranial photobiomodulation for persistent concussion symptoms and did not find a clear significant benefit over placebo after adjustment.

Clear distinctions like these help patients make better healthcare decisions.

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Shockwave Therapy

Extracorporeal shockwave therapy uses acoustic energy and is used in several musculoskeletal rehabilitation settings.

It has been studied more extensively for tendon and soft-tissue disorders than for concussion.

When used after head and neck trauma, its role would generally be aimed at appropriate musculoskeletal tissues, not at treating the brain injury itself.

The same principle applies to other regenerative procedures.

The treatment must match the diagnosis.

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Why ChiroMed Uses an Integrated Approach

No single treatment addresses every part of an injury.

An adjustment cannot replace nutrition.

A supplement cannot stabilize an injured joint.

An injection cannot restore normal movement on its own.

Laser therapy cannot replace neurological evaluation.

Exercise cannot correct every metabolic problem.

Nutrition cannot repair a mechanical injury without appropriate rehabilitation.

That is the value of integrated care.

At ChiroMed, an injury recovery program may look at several areas together.

Structure

Evaluation may involve:

• Cervical joints
• Muscles
• Ligaments
• Discs
• Facet joints
• Extremities
• Posture

Neurological Health

Symptoms may include:

• Headaches
• Dizziness
• Concentration problems
• Balance problems
• Light sensitivity
• Sleep disturbance
• Nerve symptoms

Metabolic Health

Recovery may also be influenced by:

• Blood glucose
• Insulin resistance
• Nutrition
• Vitamin status
• Hydration
• Body composition
• Inflammation

Function

The final goal includes restoring:

• Strength
• Mobility
• Stability
• Coordination
• Endurance
• Work ability
• Daily activity

This is consistent with ChiroMed’s stated model of combining medical evaluation, chiropractic care, rehabilitation, soft-tissue care, functional medicine, and whole-body health strategies within a coordinated injury program.

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Dr. Alex Jimenez: Connecting Chiropractic, Nursing, and Functional Medicine

Dr. Alexander Jimenez, DC, APRN, FNP-BC, CFMP, IFMCP, ATN, CCST, serves as Clinical Director within ChiroMed’s multidisciplinary model.

His professional background combines chiropractic care with advanced practice nursing and functional medicine.

This creates an opportunity to examine an injured patient through several clinical lenses.

Instead of asking only:

“Where does it hurt?”

an integrated evaluation can also ask:

• How did the injury occur?
• Is there neurological involvement?
• Which structures were injured?
• Is movement restricted?
• Has strength decreased?
• Is sleep interfering with recovery?
• Is nutrition adequate?
• Are metabolic problems slowing healing?
• Does the patient need imaging?
• Is another medical specialist needed?
• Is rehabilitation progressing?
• Is an advanced intervention appropriate?

This broader approach fits ChiroMed’s goal of addressing contributing factors rather than focusing only on symptoms.

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Medical Oversight With Dr. Maria Guadalupe Cardenas

The ChiroMed multidisciplinary team also includes Dr. Maria Guadalupe Cardenas, MD, who is board-certified in Internal Medicine.

ChiroMed identifies Dr. Cardenas as its Medical Director, Clinical Director, and Collaborative Physician, with NPI #1164426749 and Texas Medical License #J2933.

She brings more than 40 years of clinical experience in internal medicine to the collaborative model.

Her role adds medical oversight to a system that may integrate:

• Chiropractic care
• Medical evaluation
• Functional medicine
• Personal injury care
• Rehabilitation
• Nutritional counseling
• Metabolic health
• Musculoskeletal care
• Coordination with other specialists

This multidisciplinary structure allows different licensed professionals to contribute within their respective clinical scopes.

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Root-Cause Recovery: Why Isn’t the Patient Getting Better?

One of the most useful questions in functional and integrative medicine is:

What could be slowing recovery?

Possible factors may include:

• Poor protein intake
• Nutrient deficiencies
• Poor sleep
• High blood sugar
• Insulin resistance
• Dehydration
• Physical inactivity
• Loss of muscle
• Persistent stress
• Gastrointestinal problems
• Medication effects
• An untreated structural injury

Identifying these problems does not replace diagnosis of the original injury.

It can help create a healthier environment for healing and rehabilitation.

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Know the Warning Signs After a Head Injury

The Gut-Brain-Spine approach should never delay emergency medical care.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, a person should receive immediate medical attention after head trauma if serious warning signs develop.

These can include:

• A worsening headache
• Repeated vomiting
• Seizures
• Increasing confusion
• Slurred speech
• Weakness or numbness
• Poor coordination
• Inability to stay awake
• One pupil larger than the other
• Double vision
• Unusual behavior

These symptoms may indicate a more serious brain injury.

Nutrition, chiropractic care, supplements, rehabilitation, or regenerative therapies should never substitute for emergency evaluation when red flags are present.

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Feed the Brain, Support the Gut, and Rebuild the Spine

Head and neck injury recovery is rarely about one body part.

The brain needs energy.

The digestive system absorbs nutrients and participates in immune and metabolic signaling.

The cervical spine needs mobility and stability.

Muscles need protein.

The nervous system needs appropriate activity and rest.

The injured person needs sleep, hydration, movement, and time.

That is the practical meaning behind the Gut-Brain-Spine Connection.

For patients in El Paso, the ChiroMed model brings many of these pieces together through coordinated chiropractic care, medical oversight, functional medicine, nutrition, personal injury management, and rehabilitation.

For appropriately selected patients, advanced therapies may also support treatment of a clearly identified musculoskeletal injury.

The objective is not to chase symptoms with one procedure after another.

The objective is to understand the injury, identify barriers to recovery, rebuild function, and help the patient move toward a healthier and more active life.

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References

Aghakhani, N. (2022). Relationship between mild traumatic brain injury and the gut microbiome: A scoping review. Journal of Neuroscience Research, 100(3), 827–834. Relationship Between Mild Traumatic Brain Injury and the Gut Microbiome

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2025). Symptoms of mild TBI and concussion. Symptoms of Mild TBI and Concussion

ChiroMed Integrated Medicine. (2026). About us. Meet the ChiroMed Integrated Medicine Team

ChiroMed Integrated Medicine. (2026). Integrated injury care in El Paso, TX. Integrated Injury Care in El Paso, Texas

Cleveland Clinic. (2023). The gut-brain connection. The Gut-Brain Connection

de la Barra Ortiz, H. A., Arias, M., & Liebano, R. E. (2024). A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials on the effectiveness of high-intensity laser therapy in the management of neck pain. Lasers in Medical Science, 39(1), 124. High-Intensity Laser Therapy in the Management of Neck Pain

Finnegan, E., Daly, E., Pearce, A. J., & Ryan, L. (2022). Nutritional interventions to support acute mTBI recovery. Frontiers in Nutrition, 9, 977728. Nutritional Interventions to Support Acute Mild Traumatic Brain Injury Recovery

Gwak, M.-G., & Chang, S.-Y. (2021). Gut-brain connection: Microbiome, gut barrier, and environmental sensors. Immune Network, 21(3), e20. Gut-Brain Connection: Microbiome, Gut Barrier, and Environmental Sensors

Hao, J., He, Z., Huang, B., Li, Y., Remis, A., Yao, Z., Tang, Y., Sun, Y., & Wu, K. (2025). Comparative effectiveness of six biophysical agents on neck pain rehabilitation: A systematic review and network meta-analysis. European Spine Journal, 34(6), 2183–2200. Comparative Effectiveness of Biophysical Agents on Neck Pain Rehabilitation

Jimenez, A. (2026). The gut-brain connection. Dr. Alex Jimenez: The Gut-Brain Connection

Smith, A., Andruski, B., Deng, G., & Burnham, R. (2023). Cervical facet joint platelet-rich plasma in people with chronic whiplash-associated disorders: A prospective case series of longer-term outcomes. Interventional Pain Medicine, 2(1), 100237. Platelet-Rich Plasma for Cervical Facet Pain Following Whiplash

Taylor, A. M., Mannix, R., Zafonte, R. D., Whalen, M. J., & Meehan, W. P., III. (2024). A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial evaluating transcranial photobiomodulation as treatment for concussion. Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise, 56(5), 822–827. Transcranial Photobiomodulation as Treatment for Concussion

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