Follow us on facebook for more content
Concussion
Background
Overview and symptoms
Concussion is a minor traumatic brain injury usually caused by a blow to the head. Most people who have concussion will recover on their own within 2 weeks, but complications can occur. It is important that people with concussion rest and that their recovery is monitored with follow-up visits to a health professional. A small number of people have longer-term complications such as ‘persistent post-concussive syndrome’, which is when concussion symptoms continue for longer than 3 months after the event.
Common early symptoms of concussion include:
-
nausea and/or vomiting
-
lack of awareness of your surroundings
-
vision and speech difficulties
More subtle signs of concussion may include:
-
difficulty concentrating
-
sensitivity to noise or light
-
behavioural or emotional changes
-
feeling dazed
-
Fatigue
How physiotherapy can help
Exercise for
Concussion
Physical therapy has indeed been used to treat post-concussion symptoms; however, there’s no one-size-fits-all standard protocol. No concussion is exactly alike, and patients suffer from a variety of symptoms.
Physical therapists also use a variety of strategies to treat those symptoms. Studies show that after a couple of days, some aerobic exercise (small amounts done in a safe environment) actually helps shorten recovery time.
Mild aerobic activity increases blood flow to the brain, which increases the amount of oxygen available to brain cells, and stimulates the growth of proteins that promote healing.
Getting that increased blood flow to the brain is also vital for successful treatment of post-concussion syndrome. Your brain needs that increase in blood flow in order to increase function and cognition.
What we offer and how we can help
Neuro Spark Rehab services for Concussion