CONCUSSION & HEAD KNOCKS

WE CAN HELP:

Physiotherapy is often recommended as an important part of concussion rehabilitation. This is because there is evidence that physiotherapy can help to reduce or eliminate some of the symptoms associated with concussions. Some of the benefits that physiotherapy may provide include improved brain function, reduced headaches and nausea, and better sleep quality. Additionally, physiotherapy can help to improve balance and coordination, as well as reduce fatigue.

If you are suffering from concussion symptoms, physiotherapy may be able to help you recover more quickly and effectively but let’s dive deeper into how it can help you if you’re suffering from a concussion.

CONCUSSION
MANAGEMENT

What is a concussion?

A concussion is a brain injury caused by acceleration or deceleration of the brain within the skull following a significant impact to the head or elsewhere on the body. The impact causes a biochemical imbalance within the brain cells, resulting in decreased blood flow and temporary energy deficits within the brain. Symptoms may include loss of consciousness, headache, pressure in the head, neck pain, nausea or vomiting, dizziness, or balance problems, among others.

To further understand what a concussion is, watch this video for an in-depth whiteboard demonstration from Dr. Cameron Marshall (@Concussion_Doc)!

Concussion treatment

In conjunction with CCMI, we offer concussion treatment services & strategies including:

  • Exertional testing for return-to-sport readiness and sub-symptom threshold exercise programs for persistent symptoms
  • vestibular, oculomotor, and cervical spine rehabilitation
  • balance, reaction time, visual processing, and neurocognitive testing (pre-season baseline and/or post-injury/return to sport testing)
  • Educational resources

During the early stage following injury, a period of relative symptom-limited physical and cognitive rest is recommended. Research suggests 24 to 48 hours, however, these decisions are made on a case-by-case basis.

Following a short period of rest, the International Consensus Statement on Concussion in Sport (2016) recommends a gradual increase in mental and physical activity by a licensed healthcare practitioner trained in concussion management.

Georgia McKeon is a Complete Concussion Management Inc.™ (CCMI) Educated practitioner – a network of clinics around the world offering evidence-based concussion care.

From initial pre-season baseline testing to concussion treatment and rehabilitation, as partnered CCMI practitioners, we collaborate with primary care physicians to co-manage concussions, helping patients and athletes safely return to learn, work and play.

In accordance with the new ‘Concussion and Brain Health Position Statement 2024’ and the ‘Australian Concussion Guidelines for Youth and Community Sport’, following a suspected concussion, patients will be assessed, managed and given final clearance upon reassessment. These sessions can be completed within clinic, or via telehealth link with appointments available after hours and on weekends.

Email georgia@feelfit.com.au for bookings or more information.

The AIS return to sport protocol for community and youth sport includes: 

  • Introduction of light exercise after an initial 24-48 hours of relative rest.
  • Several checkpoints to be cleared prior to progression.
  • Gradual reintroduction of learning and work activities. As with physical activity, cognitive stimulation such as using screens, reading, undertaking learning activities should be gradually introduced after 48 hours.
  • At least 14 days symptom free (at rest) before return to contact/collision training. The temporary exacerbation of mild symptoms with exercise is acceptable, as long as the symptoms quickly resolve at the completion of exercise, and as long as the exercise-related symptoms have completely resolved before resumption of contact training.
  • A minimum period of 21 days until the resumption of competitive contact/collision sport.
  • Consideration of all symptom domains (physical, cognitive, emotional, fatigue, sleep) throughout the recovery process.
  • Return to learn and work activities should take priority over return to sport. That is, while graduated return to learn/work activities and sport activities can occur simultaneously, the athlete should not return to full contact sport activities until they have successfully completed a fully return to learn/work activities.