How PT Can Help with Concussions

Concussions can be a very scary and dangerous injury for those who get them. In today’s world, concussions have become more and more common; we seemingly see dozens of professional, high school and college athletes suffer from the effects of concussions. Thankfully, with increased awareness and better medical technology, concussions are easier to diagnose and treat. However, without the proper treatment, concussions can have long lasting effects on a person’s health. Recent scientific evidence shows that proper care is needed to prevent the complications that stem from concussions.

A concussion is a type of brain injury in which a force causes the brain to move rapidly and hit the inside of the skull. This can cause a change in the brain’s chemistry and energy supply. Concussions normally result from direct blows to a person’s head, such as hitting your head from a fall but can also happen from indirect blows like whiplash. There are many symptoms that are associated with concussions which include: headaches, dizziness, nausea, balance issues, blurred vision, sensitivity to light, difficulty with short and long term memory, confusion, slower thinking, and difficulty with concentration. Usually, concussions are diagnosed with a MRI or CT scan.

The best treatment for a concussion is to rest until all your symptoms resolve. The brain cannot heal if you are exerting physical or cognitive energy on it. This is why most doctors will tell you to take a break from sports and to stay home from school. You can slowly return to normal activity once your symptoms improve and stay improved.

Physical therapy can be very helpful in treating a concussion. Because each person’s concussion is unique in its nature, a physical therapist will evaluate individual symptoms and limitations and then design a treatment program based on that. One way physical therapy can help is by stopping dizziness and improving your balance. Vestibular physical therapy can help you sense head movements, keep your eyes focused, and help keep your balance. A physical therapist can help provide specific exercises and treatments to reduce dizziness and improve balance and stability. Another way physical therapy can help is by reducing headaches. Physical therapists will check your neck and back to see if there are any injuries to your spine, which can often cause headaches and dizziness. Once your symptoms improve, a physical therapist will slowly incorporate physical activity into your regimen.

If you think you are suffering from a concussion, you should seek out medical help immediately. Remember that while physical therapy can be very helpful in treating concussions, rest is the most important part of your recovery.

We feel like we have the best physical therapists around. Did you know you don't need a referral to get help from a Physical Therapist? Direct access is available for you, please call us and set up an evaluation so we can help get you back on your feet. In Orange County we offer Physical Therapy in Chester, Goshen, Monroe, Port Jervis, and Montogmery. Westchester County has Physical Therapy in Armonk, Bedford, and Hawthorne. In Ulster County we offer Physical Therapy in Wallkill, while in Sullivan County you can get Physical Therapy in Ferndale. To round out our 12 locations in New York, those living in Rockland County can go to Physical Therapy in New City as well as Pomona. If you happen to live in PA, we also have Physical Therapy in Milford and Dingmans Ferry of Pike County. Give us a call today!