What Does Physical Therapy Look Like After A Concussion?
Concussions, or mild traumatic brain injuries, are an unfortunately common occurrence in sports, affecting as many as 3 million athletes per year. Concussions can cause immediate impairments, but newer research has also identified the risk for long-term complications, especially as the person suffers multiple concussions. Even with an increased emphasis on concussion recognition, only about 50% of sports-related concussions are reported and treated.
Returning to Cheerleading After a Concussion
Cheerleading is a competitive, fun, and popular sport for many ages. Competitive cheerleading can start as young as five years old and continue through collegiate levels. Most school affiliated cheer teams begin in middle or high school. Cheerleaders are often divided into two main categories based on which skills they perform: flyers and bases. Flyers are the athletes who are lifted or tossed into the air or on the top of stunts. Bases are the athletes who perform the lifting or toss, and they catch the flyers. Both flyers and bases perform tumbling passes.
Headache Quiz: What Kind Of Headache Do You Have, And What Can You Do About It?
When it comes to headaches, not all are the same. While they all cause disruption to daily activities and it can be agreed upon that they’re certainly uncomfortable, to find out which type of headache you’re experiencing, and what options you have, take the quiz below:
Why Physical Therapy Is Your Best Bet For Treating Concussions
“I didn’t know that there was Physical Therapy for that!” I hear a variation of this phrase from most patients and even some physicians when I tell them that I am a physical therapist specializing in concussions. Over the last several years, much research has gone into concussions and treatment options. We confidently say that physical therapy is often very effective at treating concussion symptoms. We have also learned that 70% of concussions heal spontaneously on their own within 20 days. That brings up the question: When should someone seek physical therapy for their concussion? Recent research indicates that despite most concussions healing on their own, there is a benefit to starting physical therapy quickly.
What does Physical Therapy after a Head Injury Look Like?
I can’t begin to describe how often I get the question, “What can you do for the brain after a concussion in physical therapy?” And my response 100% of the time is, “We evaluate and find the root cause of any of your symptoms.”
How Do I know If I Have a Concussion?
Contrary to belief, a concussion injury does not have to be sustained by a direct blow to the head. In 2014, falls were the leading cause of mild traumatic brain injuries (TBI). Falls accounted for 47% of all TBI-related ER visits, hospitalizations, and deaths in the United States in 2014. (CDC) Being struck by or against an object was the second leading cause of TBI, accounting for about 15% of TBI-related ER visits, hospitalizations, and deaths in the U.S. in 2014. (CDC) Among all age groups, motor vehicle crashes were the third leading cause of TBI-related ER visits, hospitalizations, and deaths (14%) in the U.S. in 2014. (CDC) Approximately 1 in 4 mild traumatic brain injuries in adults occurred at work. (Terry, 2018)
Management of Concussion in Sports
It is estimated that as many as 3,900,000 sports and activities-related concussions occur annually in the U.S. A concussion can occur from either a bump, blow, or jolt to the head or body that causes the head and brain to move rapidly back and forth, either from a fall, a collision of players, or impact from the ground or other obstacles. Collision sports are at the highest risk for concussions, but any athletic activity remains a risk.
Concussions in the Workplace
Approximately 1 in 4 mild traumatic brain injuries (mTBIs) in adults occur at work and are associated with substantial productivity loss, economic burden, persistent symptoms, and occupational disability1. Concussions in the workplace are most commonly caused by falls, getting struck in the head by falling objects, or motor vehicle accidents2. Most adults recover from an mTBI or concussion within 7-10 days; however, individuals who continue to have persistent symptoms beyond this timeframe are more at risk for further co-morbidities, including aerobic deconditioning, chronic pain, anxiety disorder, depression, as well as poor work performance3.
