Quidditch, you know Harry Potter’s favorite game, is becoming increasingly popular around the US. And if you are an average college kid looking to get into intramurals, quidditch may very well be your game. Although Elon Musk hasn’t quite gotten us flying brooms, quidditch is very real and so are the injuries. US quidditch is so serious about player injury that they developed a Player Safety policy that is dedicated almost entirely to concussions.
When it comes to concussions, quidditch is no different than any other contact sport. Any major blow, even ones that don’t directly contact the head or neck, can have enough force that they leave a player feeling woozy, wobbly, and dizzy. When this occurs it’s time to get checked out for a concussion. (We described concussion symptoms previously.)
The threshold for a second concussion is lower and the impact on the player’s life can be dramatic. Dizziness, vomiting, and headaches are common, but there is an option for treatment. As soon as the player can tolerate movement, vestibular rehabilitation and sub-maximal exercise should be included in a treatment plan built by a team to include your physician and your physical therapist.
What is Vestibular Rehabilitation?
Unless you’ve already had a concussion or benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV), you probably haven’t needed vestibular rehabilitation. The vestibular system of your inner ear is a big component of your balance system. It works a lot like the gyroscope in your smart phone to keep you upright, but the impact from a concussion can leave you with damage that can be long lasting if not treated. Even after the dizziness any initial symptoms clear up damage to your vestibular system can leave you with imbalance. The goal of vestibular rehabilitation is to help steady you on your feet and to keep you from falling. It works through a series of exercises designed to help you overcome any lingering dizziness and to recalibrate what being upright and balanced feels like for your brain. The process isn’t hard, it isn’t painful, but it is key to getting you back to where you want to be.
Who Treats Concussions?
Where would you go for vestibular rehabilitation after a concussion? The first place you should check out is your physical therapist. But not just any physical therapist is trained in vestibular rehabilitation and even those that are may not have all the equipment at the ready to treat you at a high level. When it comes to the assessment and treatment of concussions and vestibular dysfunction FYZICAL Therapy & Balance Centers of Oklahoma City has established itself as a leader in the industry. We treat vestibular dysfunction day in and day out. Our staff is trained to look for things most other vestibular physical therapists aren’t and they have the equipment necessary to look for those signs and symptoms. If you’re worried about getting back to 100%, call us today to schedule an evaluation. 405-400-8909