Concussion Therapy Specialist in Lee’s Summit, MO

Concussions are categorized as traumatic brain injuries (TBI) and occur when there is a bump, blow, or jolt to the head or body that causes the brain, head, or both to rapidly bounce back and forth. As a result of this rapid back-and-forth movement from the head and the brain, concussions have a negative impact on your brain function.

This negative impact is usually temporary, but many individuals experience long-term effects from concussions, known as post-concussion syndrome (PCS). PCS is often worse or more common in individuals who have had consecutive concussions or head trauma.

Concussions are common among athletes, particularly those who participate in contact sports, such as football, hockey, soccer, boxing, or rugby. In fact, professional leagues of some of those sports have often received negative media attention for their handling of concussions and lack of protocols to prevent them from occurring.

Some other causes of concussions include:

• Falls, especially with older adults or young children
• Motor vehicle collisions, or collisions involving pedestrians or bicycles
• Victims of physical abuse
• Soldiers in combat

Signs and symptoms of a concussion can appear gradually and may be subtle at first. It may take hours or a couple of days before they appear and they can last for days, weeks, or even months. Moreover, some symptoms may be more easily detected by a witness than by the person experiencing the concussion. Most of the time, concussions are mild and do not cause life-altering symptoms.

With that in mind, here are some common symptoms of a concussion:

• Blurry vision
• Brain fog or confusion
• Concentration and memory issues
• Dazed appearance
• Delayed answers to questions in conversation
• Depression or psychological adjustment issues
• Dizziness
• Drowsiness or fatigue
• Forgetfulness, which may occur as asking the same question repeatedly
• Headache
• Irritability or other personality changes
• Light and noise sensitivity
• Nausea and vomiting
• Partial memory loss surrounding the traumatic event
• Sleep disturbances
• Smell and taste disturbances
• Slurred speech
• Tinnitus, or ringing in the ears

Young children may experience different symptoms than adults and often depend on their caregivers to identify their concussion symptoms, particularly if they cannot communicate their feelings. Some symptoms they may experience include:

• Changes in their eating or sleeping patterns
• Crankiness and irritability
• Dazed appearance
• Decreased balance and unstable walking
• Excessive crying
• Listlessness or tiring easier than usual
• Reduced interest in their favorite toys or activities
• Seizures
• Vomiting

Physical therapy can help with concussions in various ways. The help that physical therapy can provide for concussions depends on the symptoms you’re experiencing, where the head trauma occurred, and if there are any surrounding areas injured as well, such as the shoulder or neck.

For example, if your concussion occurred due to a neck injury, your physical therapist can help by providing neck rehabilitation exercises and techniques. If you’re experiencing dizziness or balancing problems, a physical therapist can provide vestibular rehabilitation treatments. Your therapist can provide many other therapies and treatments if you’re experiencing a concussion. Make sure you discuss your treatment options with your physical therapist if you seek physical therapy for a concussion.

With these therapies and techniques for treating concussions, physical therapists can:

• Restore endurance and strength
• Improve balance and stop the dizziness
• Reduce headaches
• Help you return to normal activity quickly, but at the right time

Concussions happen, but they can be prevented by being aware of concussion risks and taking appropriate safety measures to reduce your risk of experiencing one. These safety measures can include:

• Safe, defensive driving
• Avoiding risky maneuvers or techniques in contact sports that could result in a concussion
• Wearing appropriate head-gear equipment when playing contact sports or working in environments that could result in a head injury
• Being careful when walking or maneuvering in areas where you’re at increased risk of falling

If you experience a concussion, it can take various therapies to help you start feeling better. At Prime Physical Therapy, our physical therapists will take a thorough approach to help you feel back to normal. Visit our website or call us to learn more or schedule a consultation with our physical therapists. We serve patients from Lee’s Summit MO, Greenwood MO, Blue spring MO, Lake Lotawana MO, Raytown MO, and surrounding areas!