What is a concussion?
Concussions are a type of traumatic brain injury that are typically sustained due to direct impacts to the head or body, including a whiplash type motion. It occurs when the axons on nerves in the brain shear back and forth, causing electrical signals to be scattered all over the brain. This creates an electrical storm of activity and energy, leading to an energy depletion, which is where the lasting symptoms often come from.
Common symptoms include:
Headaches
Neck pain
Nausea or vomiting
Dizziness
Blurred vision
Balance problems
Sensitivity to light or noise
Difficulty with cognitive activity- concentrating, memory
Difficulty falling asleep
Emotional symptoms- more irritable, nervous, or sad
Symptom exacerbation generally peaks around the 3-5 day mark, however energy stores are not fully restored until 3-4 weeks.
It is important to seek help from a qualified rehab professional when you are recovering from a concussion to ensure that these energy levels have been restored to their pre-injury level and to prevent a second more dangerous hit to the head when the brain is not functioning at full capacity.
A physiotherapy concussion assessment will include assessment of the visual and vestibular systems through an exam of eye and head movement and balance. We also look at the neck, as most concussions occur alongside whiplash or a neck strain. At the next visit, we do a walking test on the treadmill to find if a specific heart rate increases concussion symptoms. It is common that an increase in metabolic demands increases symptoms due to the brain operating in a lower energy state.
For any tests that are found positive, or areas of the brain that bring on symptoms, we prescribe homework at a level that prevents a large increase in symptoms but allows the body to begin to adapt and return to baseline. Just like a muscle strain, we want to slowly reload and challenge the system to adapt and heal!
If you think you may have sustained a concussion, book in for a concussion assessment today.
-Ashley Ouellette, MScPT