Concussion & Brain Injury in Edmonton

Recovery from a brain injury—whether a recent concussion or long-term Post-Concussion Syndrome (PCS)—requires more than just "rest and a dark room."

At TruMed, our Edmonton clinic specializes in metabolic and neurological restoration. We combine advanced diagnostic testing with targeted therapies to help repair the "energy crisis" that occurs in the brain following trauma.

Naturopathic Doctors & Brain Injury Recovery

A Naturopathic Doctor (ND) focuses on the functional recovery of the brain by addressing the physiological root causes of symptoms like brain fog, headaches, and fatigue. In Edmonton, our Naturopaths at TruMed take a "whole-body" approach to neuro-rehabilitation.

We look beyond the structural injury to assess neuroinflammation, mitochondrial dysfunction, and hormonal imbalances (such as pituitary dysfunction) that often follow a Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI). By using evidence-based natural medicine, we aim to provide the brain with the specific nutrients and conditions it needs to heal itself.

IV Therapy for Brain Injury in Edmonton

Following a brain injury, the blood-brain barrier and cerebral metabolism are often compromised. Intravenous (IV) Therapy allows us to deliver high concentrations of neuroprotective nutrients directly into the bloodstream, ensuring they reach the brain even when digestive absorption is poor.

At TruMed, our  IV treatment protocols for TBI are designed to reduce neuroinflammation and restore cellular energy. This "metabolic priming" is often used to enhance the results of other treatments like Hyperbaric Oxygen.

IV NAD+ (Nicotinamide Adenine Dinucleotide)

NAD+ is a critical coenzyme for mitochondrial function and DNA repair. In TBI, brain cells experience a massive drop in NAD+ levels, leading to "cellular exhaustion" and cell death.

• The Science: A study by Ying et al. (2007) demonstrated that restoring NAD+ levels can reduce neuronal death by up to 60-90% in ischemic brain injury models.
  

• The Benefit: IV NAD+ at our Edmonton clinic is used to "recharge" the brain’s batteries, potentially improving cognitive processing speed, mood stability, and mental clarity.

In our experience using IV NAD injections can be a superior way of improving cognition and fatigue in patients with traumatic brain injury while they wait for other therapies such as Hyperbaric to begin working at a deeper level. NAD infusions are well paired with vitamin drips and intravenous glutathione. It is common for our naturopathic doctors to stack these infusions back to back at our Edmonton clinic for our concussion and brain injury patients.

NAD+ Injections

For patients requiring ongoing neurological support, NAD+ injections provide a convenient way to maintain high cellular levels of this coenzyme between full IV sessions.

These subcutaneous or intramuscular shots are frequently used by our Edmonton patients to manage the persistent brain fog and fatigue associated with chronic PCS.

IV Glutathione: The Brain’s Shield

Glutathione is the body’s "master antioxidant." After a brain injury, the brain’s natural glutathione stores are rapidly depleted as they fight off a "tsunami" of free radicals (oxidative stress).

• The Science: Research by Ansari et al. (2008) found that glutathione levels in the hippocampus drop significantly within hours of a TBI, increasing the brain's vulnerability to further damage.

• The Benefit: By providing IV Glutathione, we help neutralize oxidative stress and protect surviving neurons. This is a cornerstone of our concussion protocol at TruMed to help reduce the severity of secondary injury.

When it comes to brain injury our naturopaths have observed amazing results in some patients using intravenous glutathione in our Edmonton patients. In particular we have found that glutathione can rapidly improve brain fog and patients with concussion and traumatic brain injury even when the symptoms are extremely chronic. We have found that two to four grams given relatively quickly as an intravenous injection of glutathione can almost immediately clear brain fog symptoms in some patients. Glutathione infusions for brain injury and concussion seem to work better when paired with a vitamin drip such as the Myers cocktail infusion. Since 2018 our office has been using high doses of intravenous NAD to improve brain energetics and patients with concussion and brain injury and this also pairs well with intravenous glutathione as well as intravenous vitamin infusions.

Glutathione Injections 

In addition to IV drips, we offer Glutathione injections for frequent antioxidant support. These are especially helpful for athletes or individuals in Edmonton who are in the acute phase of recovery and need to keep inflammation low without the time commitment of a full IV appointment.

Iron Infusions & Injections for Cognitive Recovery

Iron is essential for transporting oxygen to the brain and for the production of neurotransmitters like dopamine.

While iron must be monitored carefully in TBI, many patients suffer from Iron Deficiency which mimics or exacerbates PCS symptoms—leading to extreme fatigue, "heavy" head sensations, and poor concentration.

• The Approach: If blood work reveals low ferritin (iron stores), our Edmonton Iron Infusions provide a rapid way to restore oxygen-carrying capacity to the brain, supporting the high metabolic demands of the healing process.

Brain Injury & Neuro-Regenerative BHRT

A concussion or traumatic brain injury can disrupt the delicate signaling between the brain and the hormone-producing glands. This "hypopituitarism" often leads to a deficiency in testosterone, which is essential for neuro-regeneration and cognitive recovery. Our Edmonton clinic uses bioidentical hormone replacement therapy to provide the brain with the anabolic environment necessary for repair. By restoring testosterone to optimal levels using BHRT, we support the growth of new neural connections and improve the cognitive processing speed of patients recovering from neurological trauma.

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• Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy for Brain Injury and Concussion in Edmonton

Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy has been studied in individuals with traumatic brain injury and persistent post-concussion symptoms.

Hyperbaric Oxygen for Brain Injury & Concussion

Hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) is an increasingly studied treatment approach for concussion, traumatic brain injury (TBI), and persistent post-concussion syndrome.

For selected patients, Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy in Edmonton may be incorporated into a broader plan focused on neurological recovery and overall health.

• The Science: A major clinical trial by Boussi-Gross et al. (2013) showed that HBOT can induce significant neuroplasticity and improve cognitive function in patients even years after their injury. Furthermore, a 2025 systematic review (published in Annals of Medicine and Surgery) confirmed significant improvements in memory and attention in TBI patients following HBOT.
  
  

• The TruMed Protocol: Our Naturopaths typically use pressures of 1.5 ATA, which is supported by the Harch (2012) data for being highly effective for "waking up" dormant neurons in the penumbra (the area around the injury).

Clinical research has investigated HBOT in patients with both recent and chronic brain injuries, including individuals who continue to experience cognitive, neurological, mood, and functional symptoms years after their original injury.

Proposed mechanisms include dramatically increasing tissue oxygen availability, reducing neuroinflammation and microglial activation, supporting mitochondrial function, reducing apoptotic cell injury, and promoting angiogenesis and neuroplasticity. These effects may help create a more favorable environment for neurological recovery and brain repair.

Several clinical studies have reported encouraging results.

In one study of patients with chronic TBI averaging more than 10 years after their original injury, a course of 50–70 HBOT treatments at 1.5 ATA was associated with increased cerebral blood flow and improvements in global cognitive function, information-processing speed, visuospatial function, and motor skills.

Other research involving military personnel with persistent post-concussion syndrome, with or without PTSD, has reported improvements in neurological examination findings, symptoms, IQ, memory, attention, motor speed and dexterity, quality of life, mood, and PTSD symptoms following a structured course of HBOT.

Some participants continued to report symptomatic improvement at six-month follow-up. While the clinical literature is not uniformly positive and HBOT for concussion and TBI remains an area of ongoing research, these findings are particularly relevant for patients with persistent symptoms following brain injury.

At TruMed Naturopathic Clinic in Edmonton, our clinical experience with hyperbaric oxygen therapy for concussion and brain injury has been consistent with many of the improvements described in the published literature.

Our naturopathic doctors commonly consider HBOT for patients experiencing persistent cognitive difficulties, fatigue, headaches, balance problems, reduced mental performance, or other symptoms following concussion or traumatic brain injury. Our naturopathic doctors have observed that it is challenging for patients to do a full hyperbaric oxygen chamber protocol for brain injury and concussion as a protocols in the literature are typically up to 40 treatments which are done in close succession. Cost of hyperbaric treatment is particularly problematic for many patients in the Edmonton area as a full Hyperbaric protocol of 40 treatments for a concussion and brain injury can be upwards off $10,000. With concussion and brain injury can often take upwards of 20 hyperbaric treatment to start to see changes in the brain injury symptoms as well. 

Treatment protocols are individualized, with some patients receiving a conventional daily course and others, particularly those travelling to Edmonton for brain injury and concussion treatment, potentially benefiting from a more intensive treatment schedule.

For patients searching for hyperbaric oxygen in Edmonton, hyperbaric treatment in Edmonton, or naturopathic care for concussion and brain injury, HBOT can be considered as part of a broader individualized approach to neurological recovery.

A Comprehensive Approach to Brain Injury and Concussion Recovery in Edmonton

At TruMed, we recognize that recovery from concussion and traumatic brain injury is highly individualized.

For some patients, recovery may involve a relatively short period of rest followed by a gradual return to activity. Others may experience persistent symptoms that require a multidisciplinary approach involving physicians, neurologists, physiotherapists, vestibular specialists, occupational therapists, psychologists, and other healthcare professionals.

Our Naturopathic Doctors in Edmonton take an integrative approach that considers the broader factors that may influence recovery and overall wellness.

Depending on the individual, this may include nutritional strategies, lifestyle recommendations, assessment of contributing health factors, and supportive therapies.