What is a Concussion?
A concussion is a traumatic brain injury that can cause lasting effects on brain tissue and change the chemical balance of the brain. Concussions may cause physical, cognitive, and behavioral symptoms and problems, both short-term and long-term.
There are many ways you can get a concussion, from a direct force to the head or a hit to your body that is strong enough to cause your head to forcefully jerk backward, forward, or to the side. Falls, car accidents, and sports-related injuries are the leading causes of documented concussions in the United States.
Our certified physical therapists are dedicated to providing comprehensive care for sports-related concussions. We understand the demands that athletes face when participating in physically demanding sports. At ValePT, we promote a safe return to sport while ensuring optimal performance and promoting preventive measures.
Concussion Signs and Symptoms
If you are recovering from a concussion, you might feel more sensitive to light, sound, movement, and others around you. Other common signs and symptoms of concussions include:
Managing your Recocery
Your physical therapists play an active role in monitoring a patient’s condition and symptoms: They would make adjustments as necessary and suggest alternative treatments to progress the patient along at a safe pace. Here are some of the most common questions patients ask during evaluation.
Concussion recovery focuses on allowing the brain to heal, followed by rehabilitation in areas where deficits have occurred. The process can take up to two weeks for adults, and up to four weeks for children. Recovery from severe TBIs can take several years.
Physical therapy assesses and treats a wide range of symptoms related to brain injury. It involves a proactive approach to helping patients return to activities safely. Our concussion management program is designed for each individual and is based on their symptoms, challenges, and recovery goals.
We would start by conducting a thorough physical exam and assessment of your symptoms. Your physical therapists would use various tests to evaluate your memory, reaction time, and processing.
Clinical Evaluation
Before recovery begins, a patient must undergo a clinical evaluation to determine their treatment path moving forward. ValePT’s concussion protocol allows our clinicians to make treatment and recovery plans that meet each patient’s needs. Our concussion management strategy and rehabilitation programs include:
Assessment of balance remains an important part of any concussion management program. A decreased ability to maintain postural sway is one of the hallmark signs of concussion that often persists after cognitive symptoms subside. Biodex technology supports the assessment from baseline to post-injury with a detailed progress report to track recovery for an objective, return-to-play decision.
Your Biodex Balance Assessment is made using either the versatile Balance System SD or portable BioSway. The Balance System SD is a sophisticated measuring and training device for static and dynamic balance testing and training. The BioSway is a portable balance device with a static-only platform.
The objective data provided by measuring postural sway allows your therapist to quantify the elements of balance and compare baseline to post-injury performance. In addition, test results from a healthy population of student-athletes are stored in the device for comparison with general normative data. Detailed summary and progress reports help us track your recovery and provide you with quantitative data to assist with the return-to-play decision.
Hamstring injury is serious business. Regardless of whether you already have a process for protecting and strengthening your hamstrings, the objective test protocols offered with the Biodex System 4 will provide valuable, isolated muscle-performance data. Test results, combined with established targeted outcomes, can be used for pre-emptive injury screening, managing rehabilitation and determining readiness for return to play.
The Biodex Fall Risk Screening & Conditioning Program can identify potential Risk Factors in just two minutes. Those identified can be entered into the Conditioning Program to reduce the risk.
The Treatment Program
From traditional methods to cutting-edge technologies, our emphasis remains on comprehensive care. We use physical interventions such as:
Manual Therapy
Manual Therapy
Exercise Therapy
Exercise Therapy
Cryo Therapy
Cryo Therapy
We will monitor your progress and look for signs of post-concussion syndrome. Additionally, your physical therapists will educate you on how you can prevent second-impact injuries and will provide a plan for your safe return to your favorite sports and activities.
