Concussion Management
Concussion Management
FYZICAL Therapy & Balance Centers Concussion Program
Assessment and treatment of concussions has come a long way in just a few short years. This is in large part due to the management of vestibular dysfunction by Physical Therapists.
At FYZICAL, our Oakton Physical Therapists are trained to assess and treat many of the common symptoms that arise following a concussion. Our physical therapists are specially trained in vestibular rehabilitation and balance rehabilitation, which allows them to rebalance the connection between the brain, the visual system, and the vestibular system (inner ear) following a concussion.
Your musculoskeletal system helps to provide stability and support to your body and allows you to move. It’s divided into two systems: the muscular and the skeletal systems.
Symptoms of musculoskeletal problems include pain, loss of motion, inflammation, stiffness, numbness, weakness, instability, or deformity.
Your musculoskeletal system helps to provide stability and support to your body and allows you to move. It’s divided into two systems: the muscular and the skeletal systems.
Symptoms of musculoskeletal problems include pain, loss of motion, inflammation, stiffness, numbness, weakness, instability, or deformity.
Balance and vestibular rehabilitation focus on reducing dizziness, vertigo, and imbalance following a concussion.
When treating concussions, the physical therapists at FYZICAL Oakton will evaluate your visual and vestibular disturbances. Without properly evaluating these sensory deficits, we would be guessing. But with this assessment, we create a plan of care dedicated to reducing your dizziness and returning you to full function.
When we talk about exercise, most people think of big movements like running, or lifting weights. But when it comes to exercises following your concussion, movements often have to start much smaller and much more precisely focused. Exercises such as fixing your gaze at a certain point in the distance, or using simple movements to stabilize your core and limbs, are important during recovery. And having a physical therapist who knows which exercises to use and when, is invaluable in your return to play.
Concussion Symptoms
Symptoms of concussion can be quite varied, depending on the nature of your injury, as well as your age and gender. Some problems for which people seek physical therapy as treatment for concussions include:
- Fatigue
- Weight loss or weight gain
- Ongoing headaches
- Irritability
- Loss of balance and frequent falls
- Dizziness and lowered blood pressure
- Muscle weakness and spasms
- Decreased sex drive
- Sudden loss of menstruation
How can Physical Therapy Help?
The concussion landscape is changing. Historically, rest was considered the most important part of successful recovery, but the most recent research into recovery, suggests a more active approach in the treatment of concussions.
The Oakton Physical Therapists at FYZICAL know how to evaluate the physical and sensory aspects of your concussion. They know how to safely progress you through the natural fatigue and necessary rest, within an active treatment plan for your concussion.
Concussion recovery often entails weakened muscles and lowered endurance because active recovery dictates sub-symptom activity. That means to recover well, you need to be active, but not to a level that produces your symptoms or makes them worse.
To combat the blurred vision, the dizziness, the headaches, AND the physical challenges that come as a result of your concussion, your physical therapist at FYZICAL Oakton will work with you to customize a program developed specifically for your needs. Including strength-building and endurance training when you are ready.