Why You Need Physical Therapy After a Concussion

A concussion, or mild traumatic brain injury, can result in a wide range of signs and symptoms. Common symptoms of a concussion include:

  • Headaches
  • Dizziness
  • Light and/or noise sensitivity
  • Brain fog and fatigue
  • Blurred or double vision
  • Imbalance
  • Increased irritability or anxiety
  • Difficulty sleeping
  • Neck pain

The short-term metabolic changes in the brain that occur due to a concussion can impact a variety of systems in the brain and body, including your visual, inner-ear and balance, and nervous systems as well as cognitive functioning. The neck is typically an involved region that can be painful and contribute to headaches and impairments in other systems.

Current research supports early detection and treatment of concussions to decrease injury recovery time.1 An evaluation by a physical therapist can help guide your concussion recovery. Your therapist will provide individualized education about:

  • Concussion pathophysiology
  • Strategies to modify activities
  • Initiating physical activity in a safe way to promote healing
  • Overlapping mechanisms between whiplash and concussion and the role of treating neck dysfunction

There is a common misconception that you shouldn’t be active after a concussion. However, research shows that initiating sub-symptom threshold aerobic exercise can result in decreased symptoms and improved recovery time.2,3

Your physical therapist will evaluate you to determine which systems the concussion has impacted and what exercises you can perform to improve function. A physical therapist can also determine if you need a referral to other healthcare professionals to help manage your symptoms and decrease recovery time. The concussion rehabilitation team at Sheltering Arms Institute is trained and skilled in treating individuals with concussions across the lifespan.

To learn more about the concussion services provided at Sheltering Arms Institute, click here.

References:

  • Maree Cassimatis, Rhonda Orr, Andrew Fyffe, Gary Browne, Early injury evaluation following concussion is associated with improved recovery time in children and adolescents, Journal of Science and Medicine in Sport, Volume 24, Issue 12, 2021, Pages 1235-1239, ISSN 1440-2440, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jsams.2021.06.012. (https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1440244021001626)
  • Xiaotian Shen, Bixi Gao, Zilan Wang, Yanbo Yang, Zhouqing Chen, Lelin Yu, Zhong Wang, Therapeutic Effect of Aerobic Exercise for Adolescents After Mild Traumatic Brain Injury and Sport-Related Concussion: A Meta-Analysis from Randomized Controlled Trials, World Neurosurgery, Volume 146, 2021, Pages e22-e29, ISSN 1878-8750, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.wneu.2020.09.143.
  • Leddy JJ, Haider MN, Ellis MJ, et al. Early Subthreshold Aerobic Exercise for Sport-Related Concussion: A Randomized Clinical Trial. JAMA Pediatr. 2019;173(4):319–325. doi:10.1001/jamapediatrics.2018.4397

Share This Post:

Facebook
Twitter
LinkedIn
RehaBlog

More Posts

Identifying & Treating Rotator Cuff Injuries

An injury to the rotator cuff, or the group of four muscles that help to stabilize your shoulder and allow you to move your arm different directions such as overhead and behind your back, is a common cause of pain among adults. In fact, an estimated 30 percent of adults over age 60 have a rotator cuff tear. Rotator injuries can occur from a traumatic event like a fall; however, it is also common for rotator cuff injuries to develop over time from repetitive use.

How Physical Therapy Can Help Scoliosis

Imagine seeing a tree defiantly growing sideways in your yard, prompting thoughts of how to redirect its growth. In a parallel scenario, teenagers with scoliosis exhibit a noticeable trunk shift in their posture. However, the journey to rectifying their upright stance delves into a realm of complexity and intricacy. Proprioception, the body’s innate sense of movement and position, is the key to unlocking proper posture. Through targeted exercises and activities that enhance balance, coordination, and body awareness, we can reshape the way the brain perceives postural alignment.

Tips to Reduce Stress During the Holidays

The holiday season is meant to be joyful, but it often brings its own set of challenges, from financial stress and crowded social events to managing your health and fitness goals. The good news is that there are steps you can take to reduce stress and enjoy the season with more calmness and clarity.

Why Do I Have to Retrain my Brain to Rehab my Back?

While low back pain is extremely common, it can be difficult to treat, especially if it’s lasted for a long time. In these cases, research recommends that physical therapy interventions should include aerobic exercise, manual therapy as appropriate, and a specific type of patient education called pain neuroscience education, or PNE.

What is Knowledge Translation?

Most of us have been in a situation where we learn something new at a continuing education course, in a new program, or at an in-service that we want to put into practice in the workplace, but nothing ever happens. This happens a lot with evidence-based practice in healthcare. Clinicians want to help their patients achieve the best outcomes, so they learn about new research and techniques; however, there are many reasons why change is hard.

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.