Understanding Concussions and The Recovery Process

By: Paige Carroll, PT, DPT, CBIS and Caitlin Belfield Larkins, PT, DPT, CBIS

A concussion is a mild traumatic brain injury that affects the way your brain functions. Concussions are caused by a direct or indirect blow to the head or body causing the brain to move within the skull. This type of injury causes the brain cells or neurons to stretch or shear, which results in chemical and metabolic changes including a decrease in the production of energy.

Some concussions cause loss of consciousness; however, 9 out of 10 do not. Other early physical signs of a concussion may include:

  • Imbalance
  • Disorientation
  • Holding head
  • Slowed movement

Common symptoms that typically occur within the first 24-48 hours include:

  • Headache
  • Dizziness
  • Fatigue
  • Fogginess
  • Nausea
  • Ringing in the ears
  • Visual changes
  • Sleep disturbances
  • Mood changes
  • Difficulty remembering
  • Neck pain

If you are concerned that you had an injury which may have resulted in a concussion, seek out medical care. Depending on how your injury occurred, a head CT scan may be recommended to rule out brain bleeds or skull fractures. With a concussion injury, CT scans will be negative because there are no changes structurally post-concussion, only changes at the cellular level.

Concussions are temporary injuries, and most people fully recover. Studies have found that for most people, abnormal brain function recovers within 28 days. There are certain factors, however, that can prolong recovery time including:

  • Medical history of migraines
  • A history of multiple concussions
  • Psychological disorders
  • Attention deficit disorder
  • Learning disabilities

Ongoing family and social stressors and sleep disruption can lengthen recovery as well.

Your doctor may recommend a referral to concussion therapy. At Sheltering Arms, our interdisciplinary team including physical therapy, speech language pathology, physiatry, and medical psychology will perform extensive testing to determine what is driving your symptoms. No two concussions are the same, so we examine all possible domains including neck, ocular, vestibular, psychological, cognitive, and physiological to determine which services you would benefit from the most to allow for a complete recovery. We provide individualized care to each patient and promote active recovery.

To learn more about the Total Concussion Care program at Sheltering Arms, or to schedule an appointment, visit https://shelteringarmsinstitute.com/conditions-and-services/concussion-therapy/ or call (804) 764-1000.

Share This Post:

Facebook
Twitter
LinkedIn
RehaBlog

More Posts

What Is Dry Needling?

Dry needling is the use of a very thin filament (needle) to address areas of muscle tension and pain. The purpose is to relieve pain by increasing blood flow to the muscles and joints, helping nerves become less irritated, and encouraging the relaxation of muscles. Dry needling addresses musculoskeletal issues by targeting muscle trigger points to alleviate pain and muscle tightness, while acupuncture uses needles at specific points along energy pathways to address the body’s overall health and energy.

Smartphone Apps to Help Spinal Cord Injury Patients

In contemporary life, we as individuals and communities are constantly connected to each other. We crave social interaction, leisure activities, and access to each other as well as the world around us. Over the past decades, modern technologies such as smartphones have facilitated our desire to engage not only in communication with each other, but with our environment as well.

Managing and Preventing Incontinence with Physical Therapy

More than 25 million adult Americans suffer from incontinence. Men and women are often embarrassed to seek treatment for loss of bladder or bowel control. Urinary and fecal incontinence can cause low self-esteem, create social isolation, and impair quality of life. Incontinence is the lack of voluntary control over urination or defecation. There are two major types of incontinence and they are treated differently.

Backpack Safety

Backpacks are a convenient way for students to carry around their schoolbooks and supplies throughout the day, but using them incorrectly can lead to serious muscle and joint injuries. Carrying a heavy load can strain the shoulders, back, and neck. As a result, the body tries to compensate by leaning forward or sideways, which can lead to misalignment of the spine and weakening of muscles.

How to Keep Your Wheelchair Running Smoothly

Poor wheelchair maintenance can increase the risk of your wheelchair breaking down, which can lead to personal injury or even death, and increase the cost of your medical care. Additionally, wheelchair breakdown can limit your mobility and social participation. Here are tips to keep your wheelchair running smoothly.

Start your Journey

Learn more about Sheltering Arms Institute

Contact a specialist at Sheltering Arms Institute to learn more about how you can gain more freedom in your everyday life.