Concussion Management

A concussion is a traumatic brain injury that can cause physical, cognitive, and behavioral symptoms. Physical therapy can help to manage these symptoms and promote recovery.

The specific physical therapy interventions that are used for concussion will vary depending on the individual's symptoms and needs. However, some common interventions include:

  • Exercise therapy: This can help to improve balance, coordination, and strength.

  • Manual therapy: This can help to reduce pain and improve range of motion.

  • Vision therapy: This can help to improve visual processing and hand-eye coordination.

  • Vestibular therapy: This can help to improve balance and spatial awareness.

Basketball player wearing "22" jersey holds a towel to his face, assisted by a team staff member.
Diagram showing the effects of a concussion on the brain. Left side illustrates initial impact (coup) with brain movement forward. Right side shows secondary impact (contrecoup) with brain movement backward. © Marie Dauenheimer, MA, CMI

Concussions

A young man walking on a treadmill with an instructor beside him in a gym setting.
A young person balancing on one leg on a blue foam pad in a gym setting, with exercise equipment and a television in the background.
Person training on a light reaction board with a laptop nearby.

Assessment

When recovering from a concussion it is important to establish a comprehensive baseline of symptoms so that the recovery process can be monitored and progressed appropriately.

Our assessment includes a battery of tests selected by your clinician geared to assess many different aspects of concussion recovery, based on your presentation. These may include:

  • Detailed history of the impact

  • Strength, range of motion, and balance testing

  • Eye tracking and reaction time (DynaVision)

  • Cranial Nerve Screen

  • Memory/recall

  • Vestibular testing

A woman running on a treadmill in a gym, wearing a black Born Primitive tank top.

Recover

No two concussions are the same. Your treatment plan will be customized to your findings and your recovery will be closely monitored to ensure a safe progression throughout your treatment.

Reassessments will take place periodically to gauge progress and help guide any return to sport decisions.

Reach out for more information or to schedule your assessment.