By Meghan Lass, PT, DPT, and Christopher Exas, PT, DPT
With collision sports like football, lacrosse and soccer at an all-time high in terms of popularity, concussion diagnoses have become more common within the scope of healthcare practitioners. They have also become more routinely treated by vestibular therapists specializing in concussion care.
At Good Shepherd Penn Partners (GSPP), the Official Therapy Provider for Medicine, we offer many types of outpatient therapy treatment, including vestibular therapy. Vestibular therapy is a rehabilitation treatment for diagnoses of the inner ear and/or impairments that may cause dizziness, imbalance, headaches and visual-gaze dysfunction.
What is a concussion?
A concussion is a form of a mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI) caused by a bump, blow or jolt to the head and/or body with resultant trauma of the brain within the skull. According to the CDC, a concussion is a complex process induced by direct/indirect forces to the head that disrupts brain function. This trauma is commonly the result of a fall, motor vehicle accident or sports injury.
This process then leads to chemical changes within the brain and shearing of the neurons acutely, resulting in a “metabolic crisis” and a mismatch in the energy demands required to function in a normal day.
It is this mismatch of energy demands that causes a wide array of symptoms that are unique to each individual.
What are common concussion symptoms?
While concussion symptoms are generally unique to each individual, many experience any combination of:
- Headaches
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Imbalance
- Dizziness
- Visual changes
- Sensitivity to light or noise
- Fogginess
- Confusion
- Difficulty concentrating
- Memory problems
- Mood changes
- Difficulty sleeping
- Excessive fatigue
Some may experience mild symptoms while others experience heightened symptoms over a longer period of time. Thankfully, the majority of these symptoms resolve either on their own with time or with a guided exercise program curtailed to each individual’s impairments.
How to diagnose a concussion?
There is no scan or image that can be done to diagnose a concussion. A concussion is a clinical diagnosis based on the event that caused it and the cluster of symptoms that an individual may present with following the event.
Most concussions resolve within 21 days, but symptoms can persist for longer and may be influenced by multiple factors, such as female gender, younger, history of migraine, history of learning disabilities and repetitive injuries.
It is important to restrict physical and cognitive exertion for the first 24-48 hours following a concussion. However, newer guidelines support that graded return to school, work and exercise shortens the duration of symptoms and optimizes recovery.
What does concussion rehabilitation include?
Concussion therapy is individualized for each patient based on their initial assessment and subsequent response to treatment. Typically, treatment seeks to address:
- Dizziness
- Motion sensitivity
- Neck/head discomfort
- Imbalance
- Tolerance to physical activity
- Visual motion sensitivity
- Optimization of sleep, mood and general well-being
Physical therapists can prescribe exercise that helps to mitigate these symptoms, such as:
- Balance training
- Motion-sensitivity training
- Exercises for the neck
- Cardiovascular training
- Exercises that help your vision fixate on targets
Exercise prescription is individualized to each patient based on a thorough examination.
A physical therapist who specializes in concussion rehabilitation can work with you to create an individualized program focused on your own specific goals, helping you return to your normal life — symptom-free.
To learn more or to get started at an outpatient location near you, call 1-877-969-7342 or contact us.
Meghan Lass, PT, DPT, is certified in the McKenzie Method of Mechanical Diagnosis and Therapy (Cert. MDT), an Emory Certified Vestibular Specialist and Advanced Clinician I.
Christopher Exas, PT, DPT, is an Emory Certified Vestibular Specialist and Advanced Clinician I.