Concussion

Health Craft Concussion

A concussion is a form of traumatic brain injury (TBI). In fact, it’s the most common type of TBI, often the result of a fall, a motor vehicle accident, or a sports-related incident. Despite the fact that many concussions are labeled as “mild”, any injury to the brain is serious and should be treated as such. Medical help should be sought immediately from a hospital or healthcare provider.

While the effects of a concussion may not last long, often disappearing in a week or two, they certainly can impact an individual’s daily life. Our patients often report to us with post-concussion symptoms such as headaches, difficulty concentrating, balance and coordination issues, memory loss, and more. It becomes difficult to function and complete everyday tasks and often requires intercession from a trained physiotherapist, who can assist in recovery by designing a safe and personalized program for the individual.

What are the symptoms of a concussion?

Concussions differ from person to person and can range from very mild to severe. After any impact to the head, these common symptoms can start immediately or shortly thereafter:

• Headaches or pressure in the head
• Loss of consciousness
• Seeing “stars”
• Ringing in ears
• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Fatigue

It’s important to note that, if you believe you have suffered a concussion, you need to avoid certain activities that can exacerbate these symptoms. That includes things as simple as reading a book, playing video games, or watching television but also strenuous exercise that increases your heart rate. Of course, you shouldn’t drive or operate heavy machinery when you have a concussion or suspected concussion.

How can physiotherapy help?

Physiotherapy can be truly helpful in reducing concussion symptoms, allowing the patient to resume their normal life more quickly, including returning to work, driving, and other regular activities.

Specifically, physiotherapy for concussions can:

• Improve balance
• Reduce headaches
• Lessen or eliminate dizziness
• Reduce neck pain (from injuries like whiplash)
• Improve vision symptoms

Our physiotherapists can assess your symptoms and overall condition at a post-concussion consultation, which could last up to an hour. This assessment may include testing the eyes, neck, head, and vestibular system as well as assessing issues with balance. Once the initial consultation is complete and the physiotherapist has the opportunity to gather the details together, he/she can design a multi-faceted program that may include exercise, manual therapy, acupuncture, and oculomotor retraining.