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The Science of Selective Head & Neck Cooling: A Breakthrough in Concussion Treatment

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Concussions have become a significant concern in sports, with increasing attention given to their long-term effects on athletes' health. The severity of these brain injuries can have a lasting impact, leading to memory problems, mood swings, and other neurological issues. Traditional treatments for concussion, such as rest and monitoring, have limitations, and scientists have been searching for more effective interventions. One promising breakthrough in early concussion care is the use of selective head and neck cooling, which offers a way to take action immediately after injury.

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What is Selective Head & Neck Cooling?

Selective head and neck cooling (SHNC) is a method of applying cold non-invasive therapy to the head and neck area to promote brain health during or after a concussion. The concept behind this treatment is that lowering exercise-induced elevated brain temperature can reduce the extent of neurological damage caused by the trauma. It is based on the idea that cooling the injured area, even to a modest degree, can slow down the metabolic processes that lead to brain cell damage after a head injury.

The cooling technique typically involves using devices like helmets or cooling vests that target the head, neck, and sometimes upper chest to reduce the overall body temperature and provide direct cooling to the brain. This is an exciting departure from general whole-body cooling, which does not focus specifically on the regions most impacted by head injuries.

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How Does Selective Cooling Work?

Selective cooling works by constricting blood vessels and slowing the metabolic rate, which can reduce inflammation and the potential for secondary damage. By cooling the head and neck areas, researchers aim to influence the brain's temperature regulation, slowing the biochemical processes that are detrimental to brain cells after trauma. The cooling may also help to stabilize the blood-brain barrier, protecting the brain from harmful substances that could enter following injury.

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Selective Head & Neck Cooling in Sports-Related Concussions

Selective head and neck cooling is a unique and promising approach to treating sports-related concussions, especially given the high incidence of these injuries in contact sports like rugby, soccer, and hockey. What sets selective cooling apart from other concussion treatments is the fact that athletes are engaged in intense physical activity and experience a raised body- and brain temperature or hyperthermia at the time of injury. This elevated temperature can exacerbate the effects of concussion, leading to more severe symptoms and prolonged recovery times. By targeting the head and neck, cooling can help reduce hyperthermia, providing immediate benefits to the brain and overall recovery.

One significant study led by Dr. Niklas Marklund at Lund University in Sweden focused on ice hockey players who suffered concussions. The study found that immediate cooling following a concussion, specifically targeting the head and neck, led to marked improvements in symptoms, and significantly improved recovery. The athletes who received selective cooling reported fewer symptoms of post-concussion syndrome and a quicker return to baseline cognitive function.

This study highlights a key reason why selective head and neck cooling is so effective in sports-related concussions: athletes are more susceptible to the negative effects of a concussion due to having elevated brain temperature as a result of physical exertion. By cooling the head and neck in a controlled manner, cooling therapy works to restore the brain to normal temperature levels and stabilize the brain's metabolic processes from the exercise-induced hyperthermia.

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PolarCap®: A Breakthrough in Selective Cooling for Concussion Treatment

PolarCap®, is a leading example of how selective head and neck cooling is being used to improve concussion treatment, particularly in sports like rugby, soccer, and ice hockey.

PolarCap® is designed to cool the head and neck area in a controlled manner, offering an effective way to address the immediate impacts of concussion. By utilizing advanced cooling technology, PolarCap® aims to prevent the negative effects of the combination of exercise-induced hyperthermia and concussion. This offers a new direction in concussion recovery and has the potential to enhance the overall efficacy of concussion protocols across different sports.

In clinical trials and real-world applications, PolarCap® has shown its potential to improve recovery outcomes. For athletes in sports where concussion risks are high, PolarCap® provides an innovative solution for reducing the severity of symptoms and preventing long-term cognitive impairments.

Elite teams across Europe are integrating PolarCap® into their concussion protocols. From top-tier rugby clubs to professional soccer and ice hockey organizations, athletes are benefiting from the device’s ability to cool the brain and support faster, safer head injury treatment. 

By addressing concussion in sports immediately and effectively, PolarCap® may have the potential to help reduce long-term risks such as chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE) and other neurological disorders linked to repeated head trauma.

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The Future of Concussion Recovery

With growing awareness around brain injuries in athletes, innovation is critical. PolarCool’s mission is to elevate concussion treatment beyond reactive care—to proactive protection. 

Whether it's a hard hit on the rugby pitch, a clash of heads on the soccer field, or a check into the boards in hockey, PolarCap® ensures athletes receive the care they need right when it matters most.

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Concussion Doesn’t Have to Mean the End

Head injuries are serious, but with modern technologies like PolarCap®, the path to recovery can be faster and more effective. It's time to rethink how we manage concussion recovery—and empower our athletes with tools designed to protect, heal, and extend careers.

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Written by Jamie Bache, Chief Growth Officer - PolarCap®