Concussion Rehabilitation

What does an individualized Post-Concussion Management program consist of?

• Education and one-on-one support
• Comprehensive, personalized and detailed assessment
• Gradual increase in cognitive and physical activity such as return to work, sport and school
• Cervical spine rehabilitation
• Vestibular rehabilitation
• Cardiovascular activity
• Vision rehabilitation
• Addressing cognitive involvement and working alongside a multi-disciplinary team
• Home Exercises

What is a Concussion?

A Concussion is a type of traumatic brain injury sustained due to one or a combination of several factors including but not limited to:

• Falls
• Motor vehicle collisions
• Blow, or jolt to the head
• Strike to the body that causes the head and brain to move rapidly back and forth
• Extreme sound/vibration/explosions
• Sport-related injuries

Sudden movement may impact the brain and cause it to move within the skull, creating chemical changes in the brain stretching and damaging brain cells and in turn brain function.

What are the signs/symptoms of a concussion?

• Headaches or a feeling of pressure in the head
• Temporary loss of consciousness
• Confusion or feeling as if in a fog
• Amnesia surrounding the traumatic event
• Dizziness or “seeing stars”
• Ringing in the ears
• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Slurred speech
• Delayed response to questions
• Appearing dazed
• Fatigue
• Increased mood fluctuations

What are the potential long-term implications of a concussion?

• Post-traumatic headaches
• Vertigo
• Changes in vision and/or hearing
• Impaired balance and walking
• Fluctuations in mood, sleep and energy levels
• Functional capacity change
• Difficulty in returning to work, school, sports and family life

Some concussion symptoms are experienced immediately while others have a delayed onset of few hours, or days after an injury such as:

• Concentration and memory complaints
• Irritability and other personality changes
• Sensitivity to light and noise
• Sleep disturbances
• Psychological adjustment problems and depression
• Disorders of taste and smell

Can children sustain concussions?

Absolutely. Children may experience concussions but symptoms may be difficult to recognize due to children’s difficulty in describing how they feel or may compensate well enough that the symptoms are less identifiable. 

Concussion “clues” in children may include:

• Appearing dazed
• Listlessness and tiring easily
• Irritability and crankiness
• Loss of balance and unsteady walking
• Crying excessively
• Change in eating or sleeping patterns
• Lack of interest in favorite toys