Have your (or your athlete's) concussion symptoms lasted longer than 2 weeks? Is dizziness, nausea, blurred vision, or impaired balance making it hard to focus, read, use a phone or computer, walk, work out, perform your normal school/work activities, or participate in the game?
Through research, we have been able to identify 6 profiles for sport related concussions. All patients fall into 1 primary profile, but most of the time there is overlap between 2-3. The 6 profiles are cervical (neck), cognitive/fatigue, visual, vestibular, migraine and anxiety/mood. By identifying the proper profile, our therapists at RecoverRx Performance Physical Therapy can provide targeted and effective interventions.
The profile is developed by listening to a patient’s story, getting an in-depth history, understanding both immediate symptoms after the concussion and the current issues they are experiencing. Apart from understanding the symptoms, a hands-on examination is also needed. In our practice, we always assess the balance system, the coordination of the eyes, and perform an orthopedic examination of the cervical spine in terms of motion, pain and control.
Once the profile is identified, active rehabilitation can begin. We know through years of research that simply resting and avoiding activity does more harm than good. We no longer treat concussions passively with rest, avoiding light and stimulus and waiting for the brain to heal. Now we treat concussions actively!
Common Symptoms we Treat:
Concussion Rehabilitation Steps
Through research, we have been able to identify 6 profiles for sport related concussions. All patients fall into 1 primary profile, but most of the time there is overlap between 2-3. The 6 profiles are cervical (neck), cognitive/fatigue, visual, vestibular, migraine and anxiety/mood. By identifying the proper profile, our therapists at RecoverRx Performance Physical Therapy can provide targeted and effective interventions.
The profile is developed by listening to a patient’s story, getting an in-depth history, understanding both immediate symptoms after the concussion and the current issues they are experiencing. Apart from understanding the symptoms, a hands-on examination is also needed. In our practice, we always assess the balance system, the coordination of the eyes, and perform an orthopedic examination of the cervical spine in terms of motion, pain and control.
Once the profile is identified, active rehabilitation can begin. We know through years of research that simply resting and avoiding activity does more harm than good. We no longer treat concussions passively with rest, avoiding light and stimulus and waiting for the brain to heal. Now we treat concussions actively!
Common Symptoms we Treat:
- Physical: Headache (tension, migraine, light sensitivity); Oculomotor (visual deficits); Vestibular (BPPV, dizziness); Fatigue (physical/drowsiness, cognitive); Sleep (initiation, maintenance)
- Cognitive (attention deficits/difficulty concentrating, memory deficits, executive function deficits/fogginess)
- Psychological (decreased frustration tolerance/irritability, depression, anxiety)
Concussion Rehabilitation Steps
- Identify the patient's primary concussion profile and deficits
- Treat the deficits with targeted exercises for that profile (mobilization techniques for the neck, balance exercises, vestibulo occular retraining, aerobic exertion program). Along with education and strategies to improve sleep, stress, hydration, and nutrition.
- Step wise progression back to exercise and sport based on symptoms
Get Started Today!
Learn more from Dr. David's blog on the 3-Steps to Treating Concussion
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