A Team Approach to Concussion Care for Hockey Players
By Andrew Wyman, MS, ATC, ITAT and Kathryn Semlow, PT, DPT, FAAOMPT
It is no secret that the topic of concussions is at the forefront of athletics these days. With the Ice Hockey season already underway at the professional and youth levels, it is important to keep an eye on players following collisions, hits into the boards and impacts on the ice for possible concussions.
Concussions: How Can Physical Therapy Help?
Concussions have gotten a lot of attention in recent years, mostly negative attention. It is true that in an ideal world, no one would suffer a concussion. However, life happens. Concussions are thought of as only occurring with a blow to the head which, in reality, is only one way that they can happen.
Big List of Conditions Physical Therapy Treats
Many people are unaware of the variety of conditions physical therapy can treat.
In addition to common ailments like lower back pain, physical therapy can be an effective treatment option for conditions like vertigo and headaches. Discover what other conditions can benefit from physical therapy by checking out the big list featured below:
Anxiety and Depression Associated with Physical Pain
“Thats the thing about pain. It demands to be felt.”- John Green
Early on in college, I decided in addition to majoring in physical therapy, I would also major in psychology. Why? I felt that if I was going to treat and understand the physical aspect of a person, I better understand a little bit about the brain, thoughts and emotion of an individual. After all, each of us is not just a body or a brain. We have both. Why is it that it’s readily accepted as the “norm” if you mention you have knee arthritis or back pain, however, it becomes taboo to discuss the psychology or emotion that may be involved with that pain? I firmly believe that the psychology of what one is experiencing is extremely important to discuss and address. (more…)
Heads up on Concussions
Imagine you are at a high school football game watching your son play when you see that hit. The one that you know doesn’t look right. His head was down and he drove right into someone, or the one that he went helmet to helmet with an opponent, or even the one where his head bounced off the ground. The next thing you know, the school’s athletic trainer calls you down from the stands to tell you that your son has suffered a concussion.
The topic of concussions is on the rise. Concussions don’t just happen to football players, they can occur in any sport. Knowing some of the signs and symptoms to watch out for and what to do for them is essential to the health of your son or daughter. (more…)
6 Conditions You May Not Realize Physical Therapists Treat
Every year in October, we celebrate National Physical Therapy Month. There are many individuals that have seen a physical therapist (PT) for common reasons such as low back pain or knee pain. There are many different conditions, however, that PTs may treat that you may not be aware of. In order to keep up their professional license, PTs are required to take continuing education courses. Often, these courses may give a therapist a special set of skills for treating a certain condition or diagnosis. The following is a list of conditions that many individuals may not be aware that can be treated by a PT. (more…)
Vestibular Physical Therapy: Treating the Cause of Prolonged Concussion Symptoms
It seems you cannot turn on the TV lately without hearing something about another professional athlete who is suffering from the effects of a concussion. A concussion is a serious brain injury and is very difficult to assess and treat as MRIs and CT scans are almost always normal. If not treated properly, these concussions can cause both short- and long-term problems. One treatment that is getting more and more attention is the use of vestibular physical therapy for individuals who have been concussed. (more…)
Athletic Trainers: Beyond Tape and Ice
For many, the term ‘athletic trainer’ brings about the image of a polo and khakis clad person standing on the sidelines taping ankles, stretching players, or evaluating injuries. While these ideas may be accurate, there is a lot more to the profession than that. As healthcare professionals, athletic trainers are well-versed in the evaluation and treatment of a wide range of injuries, conditions, and issues. This can encompass everything from a sprained ankle to cardiac arrest to an emotional problem. Here are 5 things you may not have known about athletic trainers. (more…)
