The Knock-On Effect Podcast

Welcome back to the Knock-On Effect Podcast, where concussion meets conversation with Adam Wood and Cliff Butler. In this episode, we are joined by Clinical Naturopath Louise Cork (The Concussion Naturopath) to discuss the critical "gaping hole" in current concussion treatment: the systemic effects of head trauma.If you are suffering from lingering symptoms, brain fog or anxiety long after a head impact, this conversation explains why standard care might be missing the root cause. Louise explains that a concussion is not just an injury to the head, but a full systemic injury that affects your gut, immune system and inflammatory pathways.In this episode, we cover:* The Systemic Injury: Why a concussion causes intestinal permeability (leaky gut) and how the breakdown of the blood-brain barrier allows toxins to enter the brain.* The "Gaping Hole" in Care: Why standard medical approaches often fail to address the chronic neuroinflammation that leads to long-term decline and mental health struggles.* The Glymphatic System: Understanding the brain’s "waste removal" system, how it clears debris while you sleep, and what happens when glial cells get stuck in "prime" mode.* The Vagus Nerve & Anxiety: How the gut-brain axis influences neurotransmitters (like GABA) and why you can’t just "think your way out" of post-concussion anxiety or depression.* Naturopathic Solutions: How herbal medicine, specific supplementation (like Specialised Pro-Resolving Mediators), and microbiome testing can close inflammatory loops and restore balance.* Proactive Protection: The concept of optimising your microbiome 'before' the season starts to mitigate the risks of future impacts.Louise emphasises that "nothing is random, everything is connected," and that by addressing the whole person, (not just the head), we can significantly improve recovery outcomes and prevent long-term degeneration like CTE.About Our Guest:Louise Cork is a Clinical Naturopath specialising in concussion and brain health. She works with patients worldwide to resolve chronic inflammation and optimise recovery.* Instagram: @concussionnaturopath* Website: theconcussionnaturopath.comConnect with The Knock-On Effect:Brought to you by SafeguardingYou.com and the Melbourne Headache and Concussion Group.Disclaimer:The content in this podcast is for educational purposes and does not constitute medical advice. Please consult your healthcare team for your specific situation.#Concussion #Naturopathy #GutHealth #TBI #PostConcussionSyndrome #Neuroscience #HolisticHealth #MentalHealth #Inflammation #KnockOnEffectPodcast

Welcome to the Knock-On Effect Podcast: ‘Where Concussion Meets Conversation”... with Adam Wood & Cliff Butler. Thanks to https://safeguardingyou/ and https://melbourneheadacheconcussion/ for supporting the channel.In this episode we speak with renowned neuroscientist Dr Alan Pearce, one of Australia's leading concussion researchers. he's been at the centre of the national conversation on brain health - and most recently, his voice has been heard around the Eli Katoa incident that's shaken both the NRL and grassroots sport. Links discussed in the pod: - AIS Concussion Guidelines: https://www.ausport.gov.au/concussion- Play.AFL Concussion Resources: https://play.afl/concussion - PlayHQ Concussion Incident Reporting: https://support.playhq.com/hc/en-au/articles/44504766754329-Concussion-Management-in-PlayHQ- Safeguarding You: https://safeguardingyou.com/- Melbourne Headache and Concussion Group: https://melbourneheadacheconcussion.com.au/- Alan Pearce Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/alanpearcephd/

Welcome to the Knock-On Effect Podcast: ‘Where Concussion Meets Conversation”... with Adam Wood & Cliff Butler. Thanks to https://safeguardingyou/ and https://melbourneheadacheconcussion/ for supporting the channel.In this episode we speak with junior footy gun Luke Eastwood about his experiences with, and how he overcame multiple concussions.

Welcome to the Knock-On Effect Podcast: ‘Where Concussion Meets Conversation”... with Adam Wood & Cliff Butler. Thanks to https://safeguardingyou/ and https://melbourneheadacheconcussion/ for supporting the channel.In this episode: STAGES OF GRADED RETURN TO PLAYSTAGE 1: RELATIVE REST (1-2 days)STAGE 2: RECOVERYStep 1: Daily activities that do not provoke symptoms (min 1 day)Step 2: Light aerobic exercise (min 1 day)Step 3: Moderate aerobic exercise (min 2 days)Step 4: High intensity aerobic exercise (min 2 days)STAGE 3: GRADED LOADING PROGRAMStep 1: Non-contact training (min 7 days)Step 2: Limited contact training Step 3: Full contact training (min 7 days)STAGE 4: UNRESTRICTED RETURN TO PLAY

Welcome to the Knock-On Effect Podcast: ‘Where Concussion Meets Conversation”... with Adam Wood & Cliff Butler. Thanks to https://safeguardingyou/ and https://melbourneheadacheconcussion/ for supporting the channel.In this episode: - PlayHQ Guidelines- Gameday Processes- Managing the First 24 Hours- How Safeguarding You is helping Clubs and Leagues

Welcome to the Knock-On Effect Podcast: ‘Where Concussion Meets Conversation”... with Adam Wood & Cliff Butler. Thanks to https://safeguardingyou/ and https://melbourneheadacheconcussion/ for supporting the channel.04:44 - WHY THIS PODCAST EXISTS?- What triggered this podcast for you?- Was there a “this can’t keep happening” moment?- How did our paths (governance + clinical) collide?12:53 - WHY CONCUSSION? WHY NOW?- What’s changed in community sport? + Grounds + Guidelines + Parent Concerns- Why is everyone suddenly talking about “duty of care”?- What's the risk of doing nothing?20:28 - THE KNOCK-ON EFFECT?- What are we NOT trying to do here? + Camp 1: Shut it all down + Camp 2: Manage it well and keep playing- Why do we sit so firmly in Camp 2?24:15 - WHO IS THIS FOR? - Parents, Players and Kids- Club Committees, Coaches and Volunteers- Leagues, SSOs and NSOs28:20 - WHY WE DO THIS!!- Concussion Energy Timeline- Signs and Symptoms- Recovery & Return To Play39:56 - NEXT EPISODES:1. Governance Is Sexy (No, Really)2. Game Day Chaos: Managing the Moment3. Return to Play, Not Return to Pain4. When It’s More Than a Knock5. Can We Prevent Concussion?6. Gadgets & Gimmicks?7. little Legends, Big Decisions 8. Who Does What?

Welcome to the Knock-On Effect Podcast: ‘Where Concussion Meets Conversation”... with Adam Wood & Cliff Butler. Thanks to https://safeguardingyou/ and https://melbourneheadacheconcussion/ for supporting the channel.04:44 - WHY THIS PODCAST EXISTS?- What triggered this podcast for you?- Was there a “this can’t keep happening” moment?- How did our paths (governance + clinical) collide?12:53 - WHY CONCUSSION? WHY NOW?- What’s changed in community sport? + Grounds + Guidelines + Parent Concerns- Why is everyone suddenly talking about “duty of care”?- What's the risk of doing nothing?20:28 - THE KNOCK-ON EFFECT?- What are we NOT trying to do here? + Camp 1: Shut it all down + Camp 2: Manage it well and keep playing- Why do we sit so firmly in Camp 2?24:15 - WHO IS THIS FOR? - Parents, Players and Kids- Club Committees, Coaches and Volunteers- Leagues, SSOs and NSOs28:20 - WHY WE DO THIS!!- Concussion Energy Timeline- Signs and Symptoms- Recovery & Return To Play39:56 - NEXT EPISODES:1. Governance Is Sexy (No, Really)2. Game Day Chaos: Managing the Moment3. Return to Play, Not Return to Pain4. When It’s More Than a Knock5. Can We Prevent Concussion?6. Gadgets & Gimmicks?7. little Legends, Big Decisions 8. Who Does What?