Concussion Rehabilitation and Physiotherapy – Part 1

Concussion Rehabilitation and Physiotherapy

What is a Concussion?

A concussion is a type of traumatic brain injury caused by a bump, blow, or jolt to the head or by a hit to the body that causes the head and brain to move rapidly back and forth. This sudden movement can cause the brain to bounce around or twist in the skull, creating chemical changes in the brain and sometimes stretching and damaging brain cells. Injuries to the neck, including soft tissue and muscle injury, as well as the vestibular system, are also common with concussions. The brain sits in the skull, which sits on the neck. The neck is involved with any concussion, as it is directly connected to the skull that protects the brain.
Concussion symptoms should resolve in about 7-10 days post injury. However, there are factors that can lengthen recovery time. These factors include, loss of consciousness for more than one minute, repetitive concussions, secondary health issues such as depression or sleep disorders, neck injury or vestibular injury.

Concussion Symptoms

The signs of a concussion may include:

  • memory problems
  • confusion
  • drowsiness or feeling sluggish
  • dizziness
  • double vision or blurred vision
  • headache
  • nausea or vomiting
  • balance problems
  • sensitivity to light
  • slowed reaction to stimuli

The symptoms may begin immediately, or they may not develop for hours, days, weeks, or even months following your injury.
At ALPHA Health Services, we offer concussion rehabilitation. Our physiotherapists are trained extensively in concussion management, conduct leading edge research in the field, and train other physiotherapists in how to manage and rehabilitate concussion.
Physiotherapy can treat the injury in the neck or vestibular system that may mimic symptoms of concussion. Stay tuned for future blogs on the role of the neck and vestibular system in concussion injury.
 
 

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