Head/Neck Injuries > Concussion
A concussion is a traumatic brain injury that can have lasting cognitive, emotional, and physical effects if not diagnosed or treated correctly. Concussions can happen to anyone, but are most common in contact sports and traumatic events (car accident, fall, etc.)
Mechanism of Injury: Concussions are caused by a direct blow to the head or aggressive shaking of the head and/or upper body - you do NOT need to hit your head to get a concussion.
Contributing Factors: History of past concussions, neck weakness, risky behaviors.
Signs/Symptoms: Headache. Fogginess. Confusion. Loss of consciousness. Dizziness. Nausea/vomiting. Trouble falling asleep. Trouble concentrating. Fatigue/drowsiness. “Not themselves.” Emotional or behavioral changes.
At Home Tests: Symptom checklist from SCAT 5 and 6 (see checklist below).
At Home Treatment: Rest. Avoid symptom provoking activity.
Concussion Symptom Checklist
Below are concussion symptoms listed on the SCAT 5 and 6. If you have one or more of these symptoms after taking a direct blow to the head, please seek help from a healthcare professional.
- Headaches
- Pressure in the head
- Neck pain
- Nausea or vomiting
- Dizziness
- Blurred vision
- Balance problems
- Sensitivity to light
- Sensitivity to noise
- Feeling slowed down
- Feeling like "in a fog"
- "Don't feel right"
- Difficulty concentrating
- Difficulty remembering
- Fatigue or low energy
- Confusion
- Drowsiness
- More emotional
- Irritability
- Sadness
- Nervous or anxious
- Trouble falling asleep
When to Seek Help: If you have sustained an impact to the head or suffered a whiplash injury (even without a blow to the head), and have any of the above concussion symptoms, you should seek medical assessment, ideally by a certified athletic trainer or concussion trained physical therapist. It is important to get an early diagnosis to avoid complications related to returning to activity too soon, specifically Second Impact Syndrome. Second Impact Syndrome is a life threatening condition that can occur if you sustain another blow to the head while still recovering from a previous concussion.
Treatment at Inspired Athletx: After diagnosis by our certified athletic trainers or doctors of physical therapy, you will begin a customized recovery program that may include manual therapy for neck pain and headaches, balance and visual activities, and progressive return to sport specific exercises. Each concussion is different, so your path to recovery may look different from concussion to concussion or athlete to athlete. Fun Fact: Our Dr. Molly King created, implemented, and oversees the use of a concussion protocol for the jockeys at Canterbury Park and harness racing drivers at Running Aces. Click here to schedule a physical therapy evaluation with us.
Disclaimer: The content contained in this section of the website is intended for informational purposes only. It does not constitute medical advice and is not intended to function as a substitute for a professional diagnosis or treatment from a licensed healthcare provider.
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