All Shook Up

All Shook Up

What to Expect After a Concussion

Your niece collided with an opponent at a soccer game. Your friend was rear-ended on the Business Loop. You fell from a ladder and hit your head. What do the three of you have in common? Probably a concussion! A concussion is a mild traumatic brain injury that affects the brain’s function temporarily. This can be caused by any impact or jolt to the head. You don’t have to hit your head to sustain a concussion. A sudden stop such as in a car accident can cause your soft brain to hit the hard skull encasing it, resulting in a concussion. Those at risk include athletes, older adults who have fallen, military personnel exposed to a blast, victims of violence and anyone involved in a car accident.

Some immediate signs you have a concussion are loss of consciousness, nausea or vomiting, confusion, clumsiness and difficulty remembering recent events. Seek medical care if you feel these symptoms or observe them in a loved one. X-rays, MRIs and CT scans won’t show a concussion. However, your provider can assess you for symptoms of concussion and check your head and neck for any other injuries.

Symptoms may change in the days following a head injury, including:

• thinking and memory changes

• headache

• sensitivity to light or sound

• feeling more tired than usual

• imbalance

• dizziness

• blurred vision with head movement

• neck pain

• mood or behavior changes

If you’ve been diagnosed with a concussion, keep in mind that your brain has sustained an injury. Just like a pulled muscle, it will need a combination of rest and symptom-limited activity and exercise to recover. For the first 24 hours or so, you can rest and take it easy. After that, try to gradually return to your normal activities. High quality, adequate sleep is important during this time frame. You should also avoid activities that put you at risk of falling or hitting your head. Having a second injury to your head can complicate recovery significantly. Return to activity will vary based on the individual. The general rule of thumb is to let symptoms guide your activity level. For example, if you go to work and after one hour of focusing on your computer screen your symptoms have returned or worsened, it’s time to take a break. You may need to sit or lay down in a dark, quiet room to allow symptoms to go away. When you’re feeling better, you can try returning to the activity. If your symptoms get worse again, take another break or consider stopping that activity for the day. Sometimes this requires your workplace or school to make accommodations. Don’t hesitate to advocate for yourself. After all, what’s more important than your brain?

Keep in mind that work and exercise aren’t the only things that can stress your recovering brain. Phone time, video games, reading, driving and household chores can all also bring on symptoms. These should be gradually increased over several days to weeks until you are back to tolerating your normal activities.

Has it been over a week and you are still dealing with symptoms of your concussion? It’s time to seek help. A physical therapy referral from your doctor will get you started. We have 5 physical therapists at Boone Therapy who treat concussions and dizziness. Nicole Tunink works with patients at our South location at the Nifong Medical Plaza, and Rachel, Shae, Ben and Hannah see patients at our Main clinic located in the lower level of Broadway Medical Plaza 1. We would love to help you get back on track.

Your first visit will consist of testing your eyes, balance, vestibular or inner ear system, and neck movement. We will also ask you about your symptoms and goals. You’ll receive targeted exercises and guidance to help your brain recover and allow full return to your favorite activities. Over the course of a few weeks, we will help guide you through progressed activities and exercises to decrease your symptoms and recover normal function.

The good news: even though a concussion is a brain injury and should therefore be taken very seriously, the prognosis is good. Most people with concussions will make a complete recovery

By Hannah Williams, PT, DPT, Physical Therapist at Boone Therapy