Before we get into what physical therapy can do for a concussion, let’s first try to understand what a concussion is. There are dozens of definitions of concussion floating around, but only one is actually accepted. It’s long and wordy, but the idea of it is a concussion (1) can occur from a blow to any part of the body, not just the head, (2) results in a change in the biochemical and/or axonal processes in the brain resulting in compensatory mechanisms, (3) does not show up on conventional imaging, (4) can present immediately after injuries or hours later, and (4) has a huge variety of potential symptoms associated with it. This entire article could go on for pages about what a concussion is and isn’t, but let’s call this sufficient for now.
Now, getting into the key points. First, physical therapy is the best way to treat a concussion that doesn’t have a major medical component. By medical components I mean things like seizures, major mood destabilization, vertical visual nystagmus, big blood pressure swings, things like that. Physical therapy focuses on symptoms like headache, dizziness, nausea, and brain fog which can be mild, moderate, or severe in nature. Concussion symptoms can also present along a variety of trajectories including visual, cognitive, mood, sleep impairment, exertional, or cervical. A trained physical therapist is adept in helping you identify these issues and develop a plan to address them.
Concussions can linger for a long time – years even. This is referred to Persistent Post-Concussion Symptoms, or PPCS. In more acute cases, you will likely want to seek treatment for a concussion if symptoms persist for more than two weeks. Earlier if you’re an athlete or if you want to be more proactive about your treatment. On the other side of that, I’ll sometimes see patients who don’t know they even had a concussion. They’ll often come to me with headaches or neck pain that traces back to some kind of impact – whiplash from a car accident, a fall off a horse, an old sports injury – and they tell me they haven’t “felt right” since. That’s an immediate cue for me to look for a PPCS, and usually I’ll find something that can be treated in addition to pain.
As a good rule of thumb, when in doubt get checked out! Concussion symptoms can go unnoticed for years at a time leading people to believe their symptoms are “normal” or “just part of aging.” Even old injuries can be treated effectively in PT. Even if your symptoms aren’t related to a head injury, a PT can often provide helpful interventions to address your pain or point you in the right direction if needed. If you feel like any of this applies to you or someone you know, come visit us at All In Physical Therapy!
-Colby Bullock, DPT
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