Teen Had Painful Headaches That Wouldn’t Disappear After Football Accident. It Took Over a Year to Find a Cure

**Young Footballer Overcomes Headache Struggles After Concussion**

Jack Alston, a 14-year-old football player, has recently triumphed over a persistent post-traumatic headache that severely impacted his life following two injuries sustained during practice and matches in 2024. The journey to recovery was long and arduous, involving extensive medical treatments and a committed search for solutions to alleviate Jack’s intense pain.

In August 2024, during a practice session, Jack was struck on the field and experienced only a mild headache. Given the absence of other symptoms, both he and his family initially presumed he was fine. However, the headache lingered, and, in retrospect, his mother, Caroline Alston, believes they underestimated the situation. “We just assumed he was OK. We didn’t follow up. I think that’s where we made a mistake,” she reflected in an interview with CBS News.

Tragically, just two weeks later, Jack was hit again while playing football. Although he initially presented no typical signs of concussion, the pain following this incident intensified significantly after the match. Ultimately, medical professionals diagnosed him with a concussion; yet, Jack suffered immensely from headaches that lingered at a severity rating of “eight or nine” out of ten.

“Imagine having pain like that as a 14-year-old,” Caroline expressed, recalling the distress her son faced. The relentless pain began to hinder Jack’s ability to concentrate in school, affecting his reading and engagement with daily life. Frustration engulfed the Alston family as they sought answers from a variety of healthcare providers, including pediatricians, chiropractors, and neurologists, all in hopes of alleviating Jack’s suffering.

Desperate for help, Caroline recounted, “We were kind of throwing things at the wall. We went everywhere we possibly could,” but sadly, none of their efforts brought relief from the persistent pain, which continued to plague Jack.

In January 2025, a breakthrough came when they were referred to Dr. Konstantinos Tourlas, a specialist in paediatric neurology and headaches, based at the Cleveland Clinic. Dr. Tourlas assessed Jack and ultimately diagnosed him with a persistent post-traumatic headache. Recognising the severity of the condition, he recommended nerve block procedures and IV medications, which commenced in March 2025, after oral treatments failed to provide relief.

Jack’s treatment was not an easy path; he was re-admitted to the infusion centre several months later in September. Facing uncertainty about his recovery, he exclaimed, “I just want to go home. I don’t want to do this anymore,” illustrating the emotional toll the treatment was taking on him. Yet, hope resurfaced after his third course of oral medication, when he happily reported a decrease in pain from a three down to zero. Jack described the transition as feeling “like a waterfall sensation,” with pain lifting away.

Now, Jack’s future appears more promising. He has re-entered the world of sports, notably engaging in lacrosse. He now approaches the sport with a renewed emphasis on safety, stating, “I’m not going to lead with my head anymore. That’s a lesson I’ve learned.” His mother remains cautiously optimistic about his continued involvement in football. “I’m concerned about that happening again, because we could wind ourselves right back up at Cleveland Clinic trying to solve this problem again,” she said.

The family acknowledges the importance of Jack’s well-being, with Caroline expressing the joy of having her son back on track with his studies and hobbies. “We’re just grateful he’s back to being able to study and read and learn. It’s awesome to have him back on track and back in the classroom, playing sports, and being able to be a kid,” she shared, highlighting the significance of his recovery.

The Alston family’s experience serves as a poignant reminder of the importance of concussion awareness, especially in youth sports. Their story underscores the need for rigorous follow-up after any head injury and an understanding of the possible long-term impacts. The hope now remains not just for Jack’s athletic pursuits but for a future where he can thrive without the shadow of pain.

As the Alston family navigates this journey, they place their trust in medical professionals and the support of the community, optimistic about Jack’s newfound path ahead.