PHYSICAL THERAPY IN Rhode Island & Massachusetts
Concussion Management
What is a concussion?
A concussion is a traumatic brain injury (TBI) that occurs when the brain is shaken violently within the skull. There are two ways this can happen: direct trauma, like with falling and hitting the head on the ground, or indirectly with whiplash. This injury is most often known to happen from sports, but can also happen due to motor vehicle accidents, slip and falls, or accidental hits to the head. The most important thing is to take action immediately to ensure an individual’s safety.
Physical therapists and athletic trainers work together with physicians to identify concussions and determine what a safe and effective treatment process looks like for an individual. Clinicians will assess if there was any loss of muscle strength, coordination, or balance. They’ll also assess if there have been changes in sight, smell, hearing, or memory due to the concussion. Oftentimes the neck and surrounding areas will sustain an injury at the same time, so a physical therapist will make an assessment to ensure the patient makes a full recovery.
Highbar embraces the medically accepted Return-To-Play Protocol to help guide athletes safely and effectively recover from their concussion. This creates a clear direction for athletes to not only recover from their current concussion, but also to decrease their chances of sustaining concussions in the future.
We also know that concussions can come from non-sports related injuries as well, like with a work incident, fall, or car accident. That’s why it’s so important that we carefully and methodically check the symptoms to create the perfect balance of education, rest, exercise, and activity to promote a successful outcome for the patient.
Don’t see what you’re looking for?
If you are experiencing any of the following sleep & energy symptoms, you may have a concussion:
- Fatigue
- Excess sleep
- Trouble falling asleep
- Drowsiness
- Sleeping less than normal
If you are experiencing any of the following cognitive symptoms, you may have a concussion:
- Feeling in a fog or slowed down
- Difficulty remembering or concentrating
- Easily distracted or confused
- Slowed speech
If you are experiencing any of the following emotional symptoms, you may have a concussion:
- Inappropriate emotions
- Personality changes
- Nervousness or anxiety
- Feeling more “emotional”
- Irritability
- Sadness
- Lack of motivation
If you are experiencing any of the following physical symptoms, you may have a concussion:
- Headaches/pressure in the head
- Blurred vision or seeing stars
- Dizziness, disorientation
- Poor balance
- Ringing in ears
- Neck pain
- Vacant or glassy-eyed stare
- Nausea or vomiting
- Numbness or tingling in the extremities
- Sensitivity to light, sound, noise
If you aren’t sure or think that you or someone you know could have a concussion, please request an appointment with a physical therapist as soon as possible. They will evaluate the individual to determine if they have sustained a concussion and will then create a plan of action for their recovery.