Concussion Therapy 101: All The Basics You Need To Know

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Concussion therapy is not something that people talk about often, but it is an important topic to be aware of. A concussion occurs when the brain collides with the inside of the skull after experiencing a blow or jolt. It can cause severe headaches and dizziness among other symptoms. Concussion therapy involves physical therapy to help restore movement, cognitive exercises to aid in memory and concentration, and counseling for emotional support. This article will cover all you need to know about concussion therapy so that you can get back on your feet.

Concussion Causes And Risk Factors

    A concussion is a type of traumatic brain injury (TBI) that usually occurs when the head suffers from a hard blow. This trauma can also affect other parts of the body, especially the neck and spine. However, a concussion does not always happen immediately after receiving this kind of impact to your head or upper body area, it may take some time before its symptoms. If you feel that you have suffered from such an incident but still do not notice any effects in your health condition, then it might be too early for concern since there are cases where people fail to realize they were suffering from such events until days later when their conditions worsen than expected.

All About Concussion Therapy

    Concussion therapy is an important part of recovery. It’s not all about ice packs and rest, though those are both necessary to heal the brain after injury. The important thing for recovering from a concussion is to make sure you’re getting the right kind of therapy that suits your needs best.

    Concussion therapy sessions involve exercises designed to help strengthen cognitive skills related to memory, reading comprehension, problem-solving, speed of processing information, visual-spatial skills (such as navigating), verbal fluency (the ability to think fast enough or find words quickly), and executive function (judgment). These exercises may seem silly or pointless, but they are essential for getting your brain back to full strength.    

How Can Physical Rehabilitation Help?

    Physical rehabilitation can also help if you have suffered from a concussion. Physical therapists often suggest exercises to strengthen the muscles in your neck and back, as these areas usually act as shock absorbers when our heads hit something hard. By strengthening those muscles, they are better able to protect your spine and other parts of your body during accidents involving head injuries. Treatments may include:

1. Rest and recovery.

There is no quick fix for concussions. If you’re experiencing traumatic brain injuries and other concussion symptoms, the best thing to do is take time off from physically demanding activities like sports and work. This will allow your body to heal naturally while resting in a safe environment away from high-impact stimulation that can aggravate existing issues with headaches, dizziness, anxiety, stress, and trouble sleeping.

2. Restoring strength and endurance.

    Restoring strength and endurance are important parts of the healing process. It is very disheartening for a patient who has just had their first concussion to realize that following rest, they may still have lingering symptoms weeks later. A good therapist will ensure that the person that has a concussion is gradually building back up to his/her prior activity level by incorporating more intense workouts with occasional days off so as not to overdo it on any particular day or week.

3. Stopping dizziness and improving balance.

    The number one goal of concussion therapy is to stop dizziness. Dizziness can be disabling, so you must get on track with your treatment as soon as possible. The first step in stopping dizziness and improving balance is to increase the blood flow by performing physical exercises at home or under the supervision of a therapist. It might seem like an obvious suggestion, but increasing blood flow will help tremendously while recovering from head injuries. Next up are some simple yoga poses for better balance after head injuries. Yoga is a great way to relax and learn how to manage stress. Yoga poses can help you improve your balance, sleep better at night, reduce the effects of headaches due to head injuries as well as neck pain.

4. Reducing headaches.

    Headaches are a common symptom of concussions. Headache pain can be severe and debilitating for someone who has recently experienced a head injury due to constant headaches, or migraines that last longer than normal. The best thing you can do is go get checked out by your doctor immediately if you’re having any trouble with headaches after suffering from an accident involving head trauma such as whiplash in car accidents, falls on the ice, and many more.

5. Returning to normal activity or sport.

    Recovering from a concussion is an individual process that depends on the severity of your injury and other factors, such as how quickly you recover. In general, recovery begins right after the concussive event and continues for weeks or months afterward. Most people who sustain minor head injuries, those with no more than a brief change in mental status, can return to normal activity within minutes or hours following the injury. It is important to avoid returning too quickly and pushing yourself beyond your limits, which could increase the risk of re-injury or another concussion.

How Long Does Concussion Therapy Last?

    The length of time a person is required to complete concussion therapy varies from case to case. The average amount of sessions for treating post-concussion effects is 12. However, it can take longer than this if symptoms such as headaches or nausea continue even after the first session ends and you have more than one injury that requires treatment. Concussion therapies usually adhere to take-home homework so patients can practice what they learned in their office visit before leaving each week.

    This article is a guide to understanding what a concussion can do and how physical rehabilitation can be used as treatment. You must understand all about concussions, their causes, and risk factors, before considering any type of concussion therapy. Contact us today for more information on our services or to discuss your needs with one of our team members.

Are You Looking for Help with Concussion Symptoms?

Pace Physical Therapy in San Jose, California specializes in non-surgical relief and recovery therapies for Sports Injuries. Concussion therapy is a highly useful tool in supporting recovery from traumatic brain injury. During concussion therapy, you can expect to work with a highly experienced San Jose, CA physical therapist who will evaluate the severity of your brain trauma and match you with tricks and strategies that can reduce discomfort, alleviate painful symptoms, and improve brain functionality. Physical therapy programs for concussions often build in vestibular therapy, which helps you orient yourself during periods of lightheadedness or loss of balance. The staff at Pace Physical Therapy strive every day to provide excellent service for all our patients because we understand it can be frustrating not being able to do what you love most due to an injury keeping us off the field or court! Contact us today to schedule your appointment!