Concussion Therapy

There is a dangerous trend of equating an injury with how visible the problem is. Of course, a broken bone or a torn ligament is going to create a scene, but this isn't a failsafe way to judge an injury. When an athlete blows out their knee it becomes something that everyone can see, and the pain on the player's face merely confirms what everyone else is already thinking: that injury is real, that injury is painful, that person is going to need medical attention.

Head injuries aren't typically as visible. When someone hits their head on TV, they may become unconscious for a moment or they may be able to stand up right away. They might look dazed or need a minute to regain their ability to think straight, but then they can walk off the field just fine. The injury doesn't look as serious. And too often it isn't treated as seriously.

Following brain injury, whether as a result of a sporting incident, a car accident, trip, and fall, or another event, concussion therapy is absolutely necessary to ensure that there is no lasting damage following the trauma.

Left untreated, concussions can even inhibit growth in young children and bring on early dementia for older patients. Fortunately, the physical therapy field is continually discovering new ways to help patients suffering from long-term concussion complications.

Finding Concussion Therapy Post-Trauma

The severity of a traumatic brain injury can vary dramatically. While some concussions are indeed minor, and may not require long-term intervention, other brain injuries can have lifelong consequences.

In the immediate hours and days following a traumatic brain injury, the best treatment option is to take it easy. Resting your brain means really turning off everything that will stimulate your mind and to simply relax. This means avoiding television, not reading, avoiding intense music, conversation, and too much movement. This may not sound like a very entertaining time, but this is what your brain needs to recover. Just like you'd put your feet up for a day or two after injuring your ankle, you need to give your brain time to rest and recover after an injury.

During this time, it isn't likely that you'll be referred to concussion therapy. The important thing is to check in with your doctor for treatment and to have your brain injury assessed, and then to follow post-concussion protocols to give your brain a chance to bounce back. During this time, rest is absolutely the best way to cope with the uncomfortable symptoms that happen with a concussion, which include vomiting, confusion, weakness, and headaches.

After several days, if the symptoms of a brain injury haven't subsided, then physical therapy is recommended. Seeking out concussion therapy early on can prevent long-term issues and help you experience a quicker return to normalcy.

Without therapeutic intervention, long-term symptoms can include:

  • Chronic headaches
  • Fatigue
  • Changes in weight
  • Sleep disorder
  • Muscle weakness and spasms

The Benefits of Physical Therapy

Concussion therapy is a highly useful tool in supporting recovery from traumatic brain injury. During concussion therapy, you can expect to work with a therapist who will evaluate the severity of your brain trauma and match you with tricks and strategies that can reduce discomfort, alleviate painful symptoms, and improve brain functionality.

All too often, it is these symptoms of a concussion that led to the greatest amount of discomfort. Physical therapy can encourage a return to feeling better by restoring strength to atrophied muscles and improving endurance. This can be achieved through a combination of muscle-training activities. However, it is important to work with a physical therapist to gain guidance regarding the best activities for your body's needs post-brain injury. Working out alone could lead to further injury. Your physical therapist will customize a strength-building program for you, as well as guide you through aerobic moves that help you regain that endurance.

In addition, strategies like targeted massage, specific stretches, and even eye motion training can help to reduce headaches and nausea following a concussion. Physical therapy programs for concussion often build in vestibular therapy, which helps you orient yourself during periods of lightheadedness or loss of balance. To encourage this your physical therapist will introduce you to specialized activities, including fixing your gaze at a certain point in the distance or using simple movements to stabilize your core and limbs. With proper guidance, these strategies can be incredibly helpful in improving quality of life as you recover from a concussion.

A concussion is not something you can ignore. Regardless of the perceived severity, following a brain injury, it is incredibly important that you check in with a physician to ensure that there is no potential for lasting brain damage. If you or a loved one have experienced a concussion, contact a physical therapist to learn more about concussion treatment and therapy options.