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Concussion Rescue: A Comprehensive Program to Heal Traumatic Brain Injury
"The definitive guide to treating traumatic brain injury (TBI), from mild to severe, Concussion Rescue provides the most up-to-date, effective strategies for recovering your health and your life. Dr. Chapek has created an essential resource for anyone struggling with the effects of concussion."
--Mark Hyman, MD #1 New York Times Bestselling Author
For more than 25 years, the renowned Amen Clinics has been the
front line of defense against the impact of traumatic brain injury
Few of us have been untouched by injury, whether on the sports field, in a car accident, falling off a bicycle, or in the course of military service. While the consequences of a concussion are not always immediately apparent, they can range from debilitating to devastating. In fact, Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) is fast becoming a national health crisis, with millions of Americans visiting emergency rooms with a TBI each year. But there are proven, effective steps for healing.
In this groundbreaking book, Dr. Kabran Chapek describes in detail the programs and protocols he uses at the Amen Clinics to put patients on a pathway to recovery. For anyone struggling with the effects of concussion, Concussion Rescue guides you through strategies from the cutting edge of brain science:
* Find out what treatments should be employed within the first few hours, days, or weeks of suffering a concussion
* Build a diet and supplement plan that energizes your brain and promotes neurological healing
* Learn specific brain exercises and brain games that can alleviate problems with focus and concentration
* Discover which specific types of exercise can speed recovery--and how exercise affects the brain in general
* Correct sleep problems to detoxify the brain and release essential hormones that aid in healing
With a foreword by renowned psychiatrist and brain health expert Dr. Daniel Amen, Concussion Rescue provides the tools for recovery from mild to severe traumatic brain injury. Whether you or someone you love is among the many individuals suffering from a TBI, here is hope and help.
--Mark Hyman, MD #1 New York Times Bestselling Author
For more than 25 years, the renowned Amen Clinics has been the
front line of defense against the impact of traumatic brain injury
Few of us have been untouched by injury, whether on the sports field, in a car accident, falling off a bicycle, or in the course of military service. While the consequences of a concussion are not always immediately apparent, they can range from debilitating to devastating. In fact, Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) is fast becoming a national health crisis, with millions of Americans visiting emergency rooms with a TBI each year. But there are proven, effective steps for healing.
In this groundbreaking book, Dr. Kabran Chapek describes in detail the programs and protocols he uses at the Amen Clinics to put patients on a pathway to recovery. For anyone struggling with the effects of concussion, Concussion Rescue guides you through strategies from the cutting edge of brain science:
* Find out what treatments should be employed within the first few hours, days, or weeks of suffering a concussion
* Build a diet and supplement plan that energizes your brain and promotes neurological healing
* Learn specific brain exercises and brain games that can alleviate problems with focus and concentration
* Discover which specific types of exercise can speed recovery--and how exercise affects the brain in general
* Correct sleep problems to detoxify the brain and release essential hormones that aid in healing
With a foreword by renowned psychiatrist and brain health expert Dr. Daniel Amen, Concussion Rescue provides the tools for recovery from mild to severe traumatic brain injury. Whether you or someone you love is among the many individuals suffering from a TBI, here is hope and help.
273 pages, Paperback
Published January 28, 2020
48 people are currently reading
792 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews
June 2, 2020
I wish I had this book 3 years ago when our daughter sustained her concussion! Great holistic and homeopathic approach to TBI. Gives practical advice for supplements best taken immediately after TBI and for the first week. Also covers general brain health and healing approaches. I found this after 3 years of intensive research about TBI and post concussion syndrome in teens, so a lot of this info was helpful but not new.
Overall, a good companion to traditional medical protocols, especially when symptoms persist. I will definitely keep the suggested “first aid kit” on hand when she finally heals enough to get back to sports, because I can’t help but wonder if we had this information during the acute phase of her injury, could these past 3 years of chronic pain and symptoms been avoided? In the context of my other research and consults, I feel like the answer is yes, the info in this book could’ve been very beneficial had we known it before now.
Bottom line from a mom who’s learned the hard way: if you’re the parent of an athlete, read this book so you’re prepared for the worst in the event of a concussion. It would’ve been great to know what to expect, when to intervene, and how to be an advocate if symptoms persist.
I give 4/5 stars because of the limited focus on the Amen Clinic program protocols. While the author does a good job of providing references, it still feels very authoritative when the truth is that concussion healing isn’t the same for everyone, and post concussion syndrome is still very misunderstood and misdiagnosed. Traditional medical approaches must be combined with the holistic approach of this book. There’s no single answer for everyone, which makes concussion so hard to treat. However, this is a great place to start.
Overall, a good companion to traditional medical protocols, especially when symptoms persist. I will definitely keep the suggested “first aid kit” on hand when she finally heals enough to get back to sports, because I can’t help but wonder if we had this information during the acute phase of her injury, could these past 3 years of chronic pain and symptoms been avoided? In the context of my other research and consults, I feel like the answer is yes, the info in this book could’ve been very beneficial had we known it before now.
Bottom line from a mom who’s learned the hard way: if you’re the parent of an athlete, read this book so you’re prepared for the worst in the event of a concussion. It would’ve been great to know what to expect, when to intervene, and how to be an advocate if symptoms persist.
I give 4/5 stars because of the limited focus on the Amen Clinic program protocols. While the author does a good job of providing references, it still feels very authoritative when the truth is that concussion healing isn’t the same for everyone, and post concussion syndrome is still very misunderstood and misdiagnosed. Traditional medical approaches must be combined with the holistic approach of this book. There’s no single answer for everyone, which makes concussion so hard to treat. However, this is a great place to start.
October 20, 2021
Chapek takes a 'try this set of tools' approach. If you're looking for the answer to 'What's going on in my head that's causing these symptoms?', this book isn't that. It does discuss the use of SPECT scans and show some examples of healthy brains vs TBI--but doesn't delve too deeply into the science of what's going on.
However, if you're looking for things to try that may speed healing and recovery, you're in the right place.
Much of the advice here is lightly supported by research. Some of it not so much. Chapek generally selects research that supports 'try this method, supplement, or diet', but doesn't consistently also include side effects, downsides, or contradictory research. Some examples: 1. While some studies have found positive effects of a ketogenic diet on certain brain issues (epilepsy and seizures), others have found impaired cognitive function to be correlated with the diet. Results are mixed and inconclusive. 2. While progesterone therapy seems to work for many men and women in reducing concussion symptoms--it is also highly correlated with impotence in men and at times with male breast development. 3. Zinc and Iron supplementation can cause overload--the body stores these. Overload can cause problems similar to deficits. Make sure you get blood levels and stores tested before supplementing. I would note on this third item that he recommends testing for several things and that he recommends looking at your personal genetics.
With these caveats, the book is worth reading. Knowing I have hemochromatosis means I know that a high iron/zinc diet or supplementing this is not a healthy option for me. Reading more than one book is also probably helpful. I wasn't ready to take a couple dozen supplements, and my diet is already largely around vegetables and whole grains (not as much meat as he recommends), but the information on things that might help plus knowing what things I shouldn't supplement due to other conditions or the fact that the body stores these long term allowed me to try some of the recommendations.
It's too early to tell if it's a trend, but 24 hours later I have reduced inflammation and am less symptomatic than I've been in a while.
However, if you're looking for things to try that may speed healing and recovery, you're in the right place.
Much of the advice here is lightly supported by research. Some of it not so much. Chapek generally selects research that supports 'try this method, supplement, or diet', but doesn't consistently also include side effects, downsides, or contradictory research. Some examples: 1. While some studies have found positive effects of a ketogenic diet on certain brain issues (epilepsy and seizures), others have found impaired cognitive function to be correlated with the diet. Results are mixed and inconclusive. 2. While progesterone therapy seems to work for many men and women in reducing concussion symptoms--it is also highly correlated with impotence in men and at times with male breast development. 3. Zinc and Iron supplementation can cause overload--the body stores these. Overload can cause problems similar to deficits. Make sure you get blood levels and stores tested before supplementing. I would note on this third item that he recommends testing for several things and that he recommends looking at your personal genetics.
With these caveats, the book is worth reading. Knowing I have hemochromatosis means I know that a high iron/zinc diet or supplementing this is not a healthy option for me. Reading more than one book is also probably helpful. I wasn't ready to take a couple dozen supplements, and my diet is already largely around vegetables and whole grains (not as much meat as he recommends), but the information on things that might help plus knowing what things I shouldn't supplement due to other conditions or the fact that the body stores these long term allowed me to try some of the recommendations.
It's too early to tell if it's a trend, but 24 hours later I have reduced inflammation and am less symptomatic than I've been in a while.
September 20, 2025
I’m currently 3 months post-concussion and still seeing a concussion specialist/chiropractor and this book has been incredibly insightful. It offers practical, holistic, and straightforward recovery tips that are easy to follow. While I am still currently being treated and my provider has given me similar guidance, I appreciated using this book as a reference because it delves deeper with more information, recommendations, and recovery strategies with clear explanations. I do think this is very niche but would definitely recommend for any who plays competitive sports or has/had a TBI.
June 23, 2025
TBI scans are $4k and are usually not covered by insurance. Dr. Chapel offers insight on how to infer whether you have an injury and how you can approach older injuries and be prepared for future concussions. Down to earth insight 💪💕
January 9, 2024
Can be useful with a focus on diet and supplements to help recovery of a concussion. However, listened to this as an audiobook which makes some of the acronyms, dosage of supplements, etc harder to follow
September 10, 2020
Simple easy read. Lays out a play by play of what to do if you have a concussion or TBI. Highly recommend!
February 4, 2020
"Concussion Rescue" explains what to do after a person has had a mild to severe concussion. Amen Clinics has studied the best way to deal with brain injuries, and this book explains what they do and what you can do. The author started by explaining the different tests they do on a client, how they would treat problems that are found (from traditional pills to herbs and more alternative methods), and the scientific studies behind why they do these things.
He then talked about how to treat a concussion that has just happened. He talked about supplements and other things to keep in a first aid kit to use when someone has a concussion and what to do in the days and weeks after the concussion occurred. He also talked about things you can do months after a concussion has occurred. He talked about sleep, brain exercises, physical exercise, diet, correcting structural problems and hormone imbalance, and using hyperbaric oxygen therapy.
This book was written for both practitioners and for the common person, and it's written so that anyone can understand and apply his advice. He's sharing this information in hopes that concussions will be immediately treated with this latest information. I'd recommend this book to anyone who works in professions where concussions are frequent and to people who are still dealing with concussion symptoms and need help.
I received an ebook review copy of this book from the publisher through NetGalley.
He then talked about how to treat a concussion that has just happened. He talked about supplements and other things to keep in a first aid kit to use when someone has a concussion and what to do in the days and weeks after the concussion occurred. He also talked about things you can do months after a concussion has occurred. He talked about sleep, brain exercises, physical exercise, diet, correcting structural problems and hormone imbalance, and using hyperbaric oxygen therapy.
This book was written for both practitioners and for the common person, and it's written so that anyone can understand and apply his advice. He's sharing this information in hopes that concussions will be immediately treated with this latest information. I'd recommend this book to anyone who works in professions where concussions are frequent and to people who are still dealing with concussion symptoms and need help.
I received an ebook review copy of this book from the publisher through NetGalley.
November 22, 2022
Excellent book for those who have suffered a TBI. However, it took a long time to read after my TBI due to my symptoms.
Covering the words I wasn't reading with a blank tan paper helped me tolerate all the words. The audiobook just gave me a headache and I couldn't listen to more than a few minutes at a time.
I found a functional neurologist, supplements, exercise, and hyperbaric chamber treatments most helpful with headaches, brain fog, and regaining access to vocabulary words that seem just out of reach. Natural iron and magnesium supplements have been key to helping regulate my sleep and when my symptoms were acute, acupuncture helped with pain.
Covering the words I wasn't reading with a blank tan paper helped me tolerate all the words. The audiobook just gave me a headache and I couldn't listen to more than a few minutes at a time.
I found a functional neurologist, supplements, exercise, and hyperbaric chamber treatments most helpful with headaches, brain fog, and regaining access to vocabulary words that seem just out of reach. Natural iron and magnesium supplements have been key to helping regulate my sleep and when my symptoms were acute, acupuncture helped with pain.
June 16, 2020
The human brain is one key item in our body that is vital to our behavior and survival. Thinking of the phrase "out of sight, out of mind," our brain is covered by our skull and doesn't get as much sympathy from anyone as it should when it gets bumped or hurt. Dr. Kabran Chapek, a doctor for the Amen Clinics who specializes in traumatic brain injuries, has written "Concussion Rescue" for people such as parents, teachers, and coaches to gain more knowledge when it comes to brain injuries. To show that this is a real problem, Dr. Chapek gives many examples throughout the chapters of real people who took a fall, didn't think anything of it, and then either died shortly after or began experiencing neurological symptoms.
Dr. Chapek writes with a passion for this subject, providing his readers with information such as first aid for your brain, natural treatments for chronic traumatic brain injury, and the importance of nutrition, exercise, and sleep for a healthy brain. I did not know too much about TBIs before reading this book, but after reading this worthwhile information, I am more optimistic that there are options for everyone involved to prevent brain injuries from being a permanent problem.
Dr. Chapek writes with a passion for this subject, providing his readers with information such as first aid for your brain, natural treatments for chronic traumatic brain injury, and the importance of nutrition, exercise, and sleep for a healthy brain. I did not know too much about TBIs before reading this book, but after reading this worthwhile information, I am more optimistic that there are options for everyone involved to prevent brain injuries from being a permanent problem.
January 25, 2020
This book is full of useful information about traumatic brain injury (TBI) and what you can do to treat and potentially heal from a TBI, whether you have a recent (acute) injury or are suffering symptoms from past incidents. Included are tips and step-by-step guides for diet and supplement usage and how to make a TBI first aid kit, test images of injured brains before and after specific treatments, and statistical information on studies completed by the Amen Clinics. If only I had received this book 2 weeks prior, before I hit my head, I would have had a bit more knowledge on things I could immediately do to decrease pressure and swelling, and possibly speed and improve the recovery process. Either way, I found this book to be quite helpful in explaining what happens physically to the brain when it is injured, and giving information and tips on different nutrients, brain exercises, medical treatments and more, that can help to improve the quality of life for those suffering from a concussion or other traumatic brain injury.
Thank you to Goodreads giveaways for the Advance Reader's Edition!
Thank you to Goodreads giveaways for the Advance Reader's Edition!
June 3, 2022
As a person currently managing a TBI. This book was very relieving, and brought me some hope. I, however, don’t know how valid or definite or successful the suggestions in this book will actually be for me. Nor am I able to properly assess how valid the information in this book is, as I am not a medical doctor and can’t say yay or nay for any of the suggestions, and I’m not in a place to try them all out. But it is nice to have this as a reference, and I am excited to explore some of these options for helping to treat my injury.
October 3, 2025
When he sits on the bench, instead of his trainer asking him how many fingers he's holding up, the trainer opens a first aid kid that contains capsules of an amino acid derivative and antioxidant known as N-acetyl cysteine (NAC), vitamin C, and the herbal extract curcumin. …
Then the trainer reaches into his kit for glutathione cream to apply to the youngster's temples and neck. After rubbing the cream onto the skin, the trainer shines an LED light device on the back of Thomas's neck for several minutes to stimulate a healing response and decrease inflammation.
Then the trainer reaches into his kit for glutathione cream to apply to the youngster's temples and neck. After rubbing the cream onto the skin, the trainer shines an LED light device on the back of Thomas's neck for several minutes to stimulate a healing response and decrease inflammation.
September 25, 2022
This is a must read for every parent with an active kid and anyone who has sustained a traumatic brain injury. The information contained is backed by research, the author provides recommendations for emergency care immediately following an incident. This is one of very few books in which I keep a hard copy, e-book and audio version.
August 7, 2020
Less comprehensive than other books I have read on this similar topic. But sometimes, less can be more in terms of implementation.
June 24, 2021
Well organized. Simple to see your problems and presents solutions to them. Easy to understand for the non medical person.
May 20, 2022
Amazing
Very well written and easy to read. Valuable helpful information. I really appreciate this book a d wish all the Dr.s would read.
Very well written and easy to read. Valuable helpful information. I really appreciate this book a d wish all the Dr.s would read.
Read
June 5, 2022Helpful. Essential.
January 27, 2020
Very interesting, especially if you have some sort of previous knowledge or if you have a relative who suffered a concussion and you want to have a glimpse of what it is happening. I am happy to be in the first class of person and I really appreciate some insights and some easy tips.
Molto interessante, specialmente con una base di conoscenze precedenti o se in presenza di amici o parenti che hanno subito un trauma cranico, e io per fortuna appartengo alla prima classe di persone. Ci sono ottime informazioni ed alcuni facili "trucchi" per aiutare il paziente.
THANKS NETGALLEY FOR THE PREVIEW!
Molto interessante, specialmente con una base di conoscenze precedenti o se in presenza di amici o parenti che hanno subito un trauma cranico, e io per fortuna appartengo alla prima classe di persone. Ci sono ottime informazioni ed alcuni facili "trucchi" per aiutare il paziente.
THANKS NETGALLEY FOR THE PREVIEW!
May 27, 2025
5.0 ⭐️ This is an extremely helpful book for anyone concerned about concussion, or post-concussion syndrome (chronic). It is very helpful in teaching what pertinent supplements assist the brain in the acute phase of a concussion and up to one year post concussion. I read this book for a patient and I would suggest it.
Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews