The ‘Dazed and Confused’ Condition

Concussions are the most common severe sports injury. Although concussions can also occur after traumatic accidents and falls, they happen often in contact sports. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimate that there are about 2.5 million concussions in the U.S. each year. Anyone with concussion symptoms should seek immediate medical attention to check for more serious traumas, like a brain bleed.

Did you know that physical therapy can help treat the symptoms of this condition?

What is a Concussion?

A concussion is a traumatic brain injury. It can cause serious damage to the gray matter and white matter of the brain, the location of nerve connections and signals, otherwise known as the brain tissue. Concussions also cause a chemical imbalance in the brain, which can alter your personality. When your head makes direct impact with a hard surface or your brain is otherwise aggressively shaken, you’re at risk for a concussion.

Symptoms of Concussion

From short-term to long-term effects, a concussion can result in a multitude of symptoms. Most impact the senses, movement and mood. Common symptoms include headache, nausea, confusion, double vision and fatigue. Physical therapy focuses on treating the physical symptoms, rather than the cognitive and emotional repercussions, including:

• Balance Problems
• Dizziness
• Headache
• Muscle Weakness

Physical Therapy for Concussions

After a period of rest to recover, a physical therapist can work with a concussed patient to reestablish strength, end dizziness by improving balance and decrease headaches.

1. Rebuilding Strength: After a long period of rest for your brain and body, your muscles can lose endurance. By working with a physical therapist, patients can begin to regain the use of weak muscles without disrupting the recovery process. We will devise a comprehensive, therapeutic exercise program to get you moving again.
2. Vestibular Rehabilitation: When patients suffer from dizziness or balance problems, we direct them to this type of treatment. The goal of vestibular rehabilitation is to assess your symptoms, then develop a specialized plan for recovery. Techniques include positional maneuvers, oculomotor exercises and motion tolerance.
3. Reducing Headaches: Physical therapy is a common treatment for those who suffer from migraines or other chronic headaches. For concussion patients, we will try different treatment options to determine the best course for you. These include stretching, strength and motion exercises, as well as manual therapy techniques.

Physical therapy can treat more conditions than you may think. To learn more about how our experienced physical therapists can help treat your concussion, contact us today.