There is a dangerous trend of equating an injury with how visible the problem is. Of course a broken bone or a torn ligament is going to create a scene, but this isn’t a failsafe way to judge an injury. When an athlete blows out their knee it becomes something that everyone can see, and the pain on the player’s face merely confirms what everyone else is already thinking: that injury is real, that injury is painful, that person is going to need medical attention.
What is concussion therapy?
Concussion therapy is a set of methods that helps to heal brain injuries. When people have concussions, they often just rest and wait to heal. However, like any other part of the body, the brain can benefit from more active care.
This therapy combines many different treatment styles. It can reduce inflammation, rebuild neural pathways, and improve safety. Everyone is different, so treatment plans vary. However, some common types of care include:
- Physical therapy to build muscles and improve coordination
- Occupational therapy to work on real-world skills
- Vestibular therapy to enhance movement and balance
- Sensorimotor therapy to rebuild brain functions
- Vision therapy to help with eyesight
What is a concussion?
Concussions are a type of traumatic brain injury. It can happen if your brain bounces around in your skull. While the skull does protect your brain, it isn’t foolproof. An intense injury twists and pushes on various parts of the brain.
Essentially, the sudden, forceful movements bruise your brain. You end up with injured nerve cells that can’t function. It won’t always cause swelling or bleeding. However, there will be other signs your doctor can see.
While your brain is healing itself, it won’t be able to operate the rest of your body normally. The damaged nerves will struggle to work. Ultimately, this is what causes symptoms to appear. Signs include:
- Headache
- Mental confusion
- Memory loss
- Poor coordination
- Sleepiness
- Ringing ears
- Nausea and vomiting
- Sensitivity to light
What can cause a concussion?
Almost any blow to the upper body can lead to a concussion. Many people assume that you can only get a concussion if you pass out after a head injury. However, this isn’t true. Anything that makes the brain bump against the skull can lead to problems. Some common causes include:
- Falling from a bike
- Being in a car accident
- Colliding with sports players
- Getting in a fight
- Opening a door into your face
- Tripping and falling
- Having a sports ball hit you
Why is it important to get evaluated immediately?
Unfortunately, it can be very hard to identify brain injuries. Even if you feel fine and only have a mild bump, you might have a concussion. Therefore, it’s essential to have a doctor assess you. Promptly getting a checkup after any blow to the head can diagnose the issue. This can help you get fast care before symptoms worsen.
Why see a physical therapist?
Physical therapists are very useful for dealing with ongoing concussion symptoms. People can end up having issues for months after a concussion. Getting into physical therapy as soon as possible makes a big difference. First of all, therapists can provide helpful tips for managing symptoms like poor coordination or blurry vision. Secondly, more advanced care can help your brain build new neural connections.
Concussion Therapy at HDPT using MARS/GyroStim
How well and fast does concussion therapy work?
Therapy is very effective, especially if you start it as soon as possible. Research finds that it helps to clear up symptoms that might otherwise linger for months. The exact time it takes to heal depends on your health and treatment plan. On average, people start seeing results within a few weeks. Most have positive effects after at least five weeks of care.
Does insurance cover concussion therapy?
This will depend on your plan, but it’s common. Most plans will cover proper treatment as long as you have a medical diagnosis. However, you might need to get a referral before your insurance will pay. If you aren’t sure about coverage, check with your company before you start treatment. They’ll provide more details about your plan.
A concussion is not something you can ignore. Regardless of the perceived severity following a brain injury, it is incredibly important that you check in with a physician to ensure that there is no potential for lasting brain damage. If you or a loved one have experienced a concussion, contact Physical Therapy & Injury Specialists (PTIS) in Englewood, CO, at our physical therapy clinic on Pearl Street or South Maroon to learn more about concussion treatment and therapy options.