Concussion
Concussion treatment starts with knowing what a concussion is: a traumatic brain injury caused by a blow or jolt to the head or body, and the lasting symptoms are often dizziness, balance trouble, neck pain and headaches. Our concussion physical therapy program tests you objectively, treats what is wrong and supports return to play after concussion. Spine & Rehab Specialists offers it in El Paso, Texas.
What happens in a concussion, and who gets one
Concussions are not only a sports injury. They happen in falls, motor vehicle collisions, assaults, blast injuries and when something strikes the head. Post-concussion syndrome is the name for symptoms that linger for weeks or longer, and they are what physical therapy treats. The force can be a hit to the head, or a whiplash-like motion of the head and neck that makes the brain strike the inside of the skull. It can come from forward and backward, side-to-side or rotational motion.
No single test confirms a concussion. An MRI or CT scan only rules out bleeding or other internal damage, so you can have a normal scan and still have a concussion. Whiplash and concussion often go together, which is why we look at the neck as well as the head.
Our four-part concussion program
Each part has a specific job, and we compare each one with the one before it.
Preseason baseline screening
A graded symptom checklist, a neurocognitive test, a balance test for sensory integration (mCTSIB), vestibular testing and a neck strength screen. It is for athletes, and also for youth through adults as part of a yearly physical.
Post-injury evaluation
We repeat the symptom checklist, the neurocognitive test and the balance test and compare them with your baseline, assess vestibular function and the neck, then review the results and recommend a plan.
Intervention
Vestibular, balance and neck exercises. If you need more support or diagnostic testing, we send you back to your physician.
Re-evaluation for return to play
We review the baseline and post-injury results with you, your parents, your physician and coaching staff (with your permission) before a return-to-play decision.
Dizzy after hitting my head, headache after concussion, trouble with exercise
After a concussion, many people feel dizzy, off balance or sensitive to motion, or have a headache that returns when they do too much. Part of the cause is the inner ear and the eyes, and part is the neck, which is often strained in the same event. Vestibular exercises, balance exercises and neck exercises address these separately. Dizziness is covered on vestibular rehab, and the spinning-type dizziness that can follow a head injury is covered on vertigo and BPPV. Neck-related headaches are covered on Headaches & Migraines and Neck Pain.
Return to play, school and work
Coming back too fast makes symptoms worse. We pace the return with your test results and how you feel.
Medical clearance first
PT starts after a medical evaluation, and we keep your physician involved.
Treat what is wrong
Dizziness, balance and neck problems are treated while the activity you do each day grows slowly.
Re-test
We repeat the objective tests and compare them with your baseline.
Decide together
You, your family, your physician and coaching staff (with permission) review the results. See sports injury rehab for the rest of the return-to-sport process. After a car crash, see auto accident care.
When to go to the emergency room
Call 911 or go to the ER for a head injury with any of these:
- A headache that keeps getting worse
- Repeated vomiting
- Confusion
- Slurred speech
- Weakness
- A seizure
- Unusual drowsiness or trouble waking up
Concussion rehab in El Paso, Texas
Whether you need a baseline before the season or care after an injury, call our Edgemere or Physicians clinic, or request an appointment. In many cases you do not need a referral in Texas, and we can help verify your insurance requirements before your first visit.
We see patients at our Edgemere and Physicians clinics in El Paso, Texas.