CONCUSSION – more than just a head knock.
Concussion is an extremely common presentation, with an estimated 100,000 sport-related concussions in Australia each year.
Concussion involves a rapid movement of the brain inside the skull, causing a reduction in brain energy, disrupting brain function and causing a range of symptoms including but not limited to; headaches, dizziness, fatigue, poor concentration and altered memory.
Recently there has been an increased awareness of concussion and its potential long-term impact on an individual’s health and well-being. It is a rapidly growing area of sports medicine with professional sporting codes around the world starting to treat concussion with much more respect and care than they have in the past. Most professional and governing sporting bodies have now introduced mandatory timeframes players must be out of the game. During this time it is recommended all players undergo concussion testing and rehabilitation.
How can physio help?
We know that without rehabilitation, between 20-40% of concussions can lead to symptoms lasting longer than 4 weeks (de Koning et al, 2016). There is also a higher risk of suffering another concussion as well as other serious injuries when returning to sport if the brain has not fully recovered (Reneker et al, 2019; McPherson et al, 2018).
Rehabilitation guided by a physiotherapist, including neck and vestibular system treatment, objective exercise-based testing and progressions to guide your return to exercise and sport, has been shown to significantly reduce persistent symptoms, and expediate return to play timeframes (Pratile et al, 2020).
Our senior physiotherapist Matt has undergone extensive concussion management training, allowing him to diagnose and manage concussions to guide a safe recovery and return to sport. This can be for acute concussions as well as those with post-concussion syndrome, where symptoms last longer than expected (often weeks-months). Post-concussion syndrome is more likely if the initial concussion is severe or poorly managed.
Recent research has shown that while symptoms often settle quickly after a concussion, the brain takes much longer to fully recover, even when there are no symptoms (McCrea et al 2014). Therefore, it is important to ensure the appropriate assessment and testing has been done to ensure you are fully ready to return to sport/work/study.
Physiotherapy management with concussion involves the following:
· Initial assessment, testing and advice on managing symptoms and returning to sport/work/study.
· Specific exercise-based testing to guide a gradual and safe return to exercise and sport.
· Treatment of other related problems: neck pain/injuries, vestibular/visual impairments or metabolic issues that have arisen because of the concussion.
Matt will work with you and your family, your doctor, school/work and coaches to guide a progressive and safe return to work, study and sport. Where a doctors’ clearance is required for return to sport/work/study, Matt will liaise with your preferred doctor to provide your testing results from physiotherapy and ensure they have all the information to provide a medical clearance.
If you suffer a concussion, or have ongoing symptoms following a concussion (post-concussion syndrome) call 89418555 or book an appointment with Matt online at www.elitephysiont.com.au
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