Using well-researched evaluation methods specific to each patient, our concussion therapy will help you recover from head trauma so you can get back to work, school or sports.
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These can be a sign your post-concussive symptoms have not resolved.
These are an indication your vestibular system may be involved. This may also show with balance, hearing and vision trouble.
While it's very common, if you're having trouble getting back to your previous level of activity prior to a concussion, it's a sign that you are still unwell.
This is a symptom of continued overstimulation that is associated with post-concussion syndrome.
Feeling constantly tired or having sleep issues are a common symptom of concussions that require attention.
Whether from stress, frustration or from the injury itself, these feelings do not need to continue indefinitely.
Shift Concussion and advanced vestibular trained physiotherapy personnel manage our concussion program. Using evidence-based techniques, our program is divided into two components: precautionary baseline testing and rehabilitation.
If you (or your children) participate in higher concussion risk activities, such as contact sports, baseline testing is recommended. Baseline testing is a precaution in case of a future head injury. It provides information from when the individual was healthy and allows for comparison during diagnosis and post-concussion rehabilitation. It involves a computerized cognitive test called the ImPACT and may also include eye and balance testing.
Our program involves identifying your specific needs and managing them. Using the ImPACT, vestibular, balance, motion and other testing, we come up with an individual plan to address the needs of the patient. This approach helps avoid a nasty cycle of overexertion and unnecessary isolation where little improvement is made because a person feels good doing nothing but awful trying to return to everything when they feel better from resting alone. Our treatment plans work to address your limitations directly so you are able to return to work, school or play as quickly as possible.
You should contact your physician. Depending on the severity of your symptoms, you may need to visit the emergency room. It's important you avoid mentally demanding tasks like reading or work/school work, and avoid screens such as smartphones, computers and tablets. Once you have seen a physician, it's advised you see a professional who treats concussions, like our therapists at Physiotherapy and Beyond.
The ImPACT assessment is for baseline and post-concussion cases. ImPACT is short for Immediate Post-Concussion And Cognitive Test. It is a computerized assessment that has been shown to be very sensitive and reliable in helping diagnosis and treat concussions. There are different versions for children (under 12) and adults. It is an extremely valuable tool that allows for measured and repeated progress. The test has been taken millions of times and is used by everyone from professional athletes to those who have head injuries during daily life.
Symptoms can linger and remain unresolved if they are not addressed appropriately. This may limit your activity on a chronic or permanent basis. More seriously, if you return to an activity while you are still symptomatic and sustain another injury, you could develop Second Impact Syndrome, which causes rapid brain swelling that can be fatal. Since younger people are more at risk of developing Second Impact Syndrome, if a concussion is ever suspected, the individual must immediately stop their activity and not return until they have been assessed and cleared medically to return.
While this is an answer best given individually by your therapist, post-concussion recovery can be a long-term process. There are many objective markers of progress along the way, so even if you are still not feeling like yourself during your rehabilitation, that does not mean you are not improving.
Concussion rehab can involve many different things. First, you and your therapist will develop a plan. Once your limitations are established, your treatment may include vestibular rehab for symptoms such as vertigo, manual treatment for associated neck problems, balance training and progressive return to play/activity plans when you are symptom-free. At any time, if you have questions or concerns about specific activities or your treatment, it is important that you discuss them with your therapist.
While the research is still ongoing in this area, multiple head injures have been known to potentially cause a cumulative increase in symptoms with subsequent concussions. Basically, this means the more concussions you sustain, the worse they may get. This can be helped by ensuring concussions are managed properly and allowing the brain to fully heal before returning to activity. This will decrease the sensitivity to further injury and reduce the recovery time should another concussion occur.