Concussions and Brain Injury

What is a Concussion / Brain Injury?

A concussion is a type of traumatic brain injury—or TBI—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.

 

Common concussion symptoms include:

  Headache

  Light sensitivity

  Decreased memory and concentration

  Fatigue

  Dizziness

  Nausea or decreased appetite

  Noise sensitivity

What to do after a concussion:

Balance activity with rest

Strict rest is no longer the accepted way to manage concussion. In fact, it can prolong recovery unnecessarily. In the first 48-hours after a concussion, the most recent Consensus Statement on Concussion is Sport recommends limited screen time, activities of daily living, and light intensity physical activity (walking and light spinning on the bike), that does not more than mildly exacerbate symptoms.

Concussion treatment, recommended after 48-72-hours. Research supports that seeing a provider within four days of injury significantly reduces recovery time.

A physical therapist and speech-cognitive therapist trained in concussion management can address the following:

-Treatment of the vestibular system to address dizziness and restore balance.

-Manual therapy to the neck to reduce pain and strain caused by whiplash, which almost always accompanies a concussion.

-Guided exercise with heart rate to increase tolerance to physical exertion.

-Cognitive and communication strategies to minimize symptoms and promote engagement back at school, work, and social life.

-Education and guidance on self-care, including diet and sleep, and graded return to activity to promote successful return to activity

Persistent Post-Concussion Symptoms

Also known as post-concussion syndrome, persistent post-concussion symptoms can prolong an individual’s return to school, work, and sport and profoundly impact their physical, cognitive, emotional, and financial well-being. The brain restores its biological and metabolic function 3-4-weeks after the injury, and approximately 70-80% of concussed people make a full recovery in this timeframe. However up to 30% of people experience a prolonged recovery, with symptoms lasting for months, even years.

5 reasons symptoms persist:

Vestibular and vision system disruptions

Neck problems

Autonomic nervous system and blood flow dysregulation

Inflammation

Anxiety or other behavioral health problem

The good news is that recovery is still possible, utilizing the same treatment used in the days after the initial injury. It is important to get care from a professional trained in concussion management.

Therapy for Concussion / Brain Injury:

Patients who have suffered a concussion or traumatic brain injury can greatly benefit from a multidisciplinary approach to treatment including physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, and cognitive rehabilitation. It is highly recommended to seek treatment as soon as possible after an injury, regardless of the severity of symptoms.