There is a dangerous habit of associating a problem’s visibility with the severity of the injury. When a player blows out their knee, it becomes visible to everybody. The pain on the player’s face only reinforces what everyone else already knows: that injury is actual, that damage is severe, and that person will require medical attention. Of course, a shattered bone or a torn ligament will cause a commotion, but this isn’t a foolproof method of determining the severity of an injury.
Head traumas aren’t often as evident. When someone knocks their head on the television, they may go unconscious for a brief period of time or be able to rise immediately. They may appear dazed or require a moment to restore their ability to think clearly, but they will be OK walking off the field. The damage does not appear to be as terrible as it first appears. And all too often, it isn’t taken seriously enough.
A cold is usually more noticeable than a chronic disease, but that doesn’t make the chronic disease any easier to manage. On the other hand, chronic sickness is usually much more severe and challenging than a common cold. Concussions, on the other hand, should not be neglected. Concussion therapy is required following a brain injury, whether it occurs as a result of a sporting incident, an automobile accident, a trip, and fall, or another occurrence.
Concussions can limit growth in young children and cause early dementia in the elderly if left untreated. Fortunately, the field of physical therapy is always looking for innovative approaches to aid patients with long-term concussion symptoms.
Getting Concussion Therapy Treatment Post-Trauma
A traumatic brain injury can have a wide range of severity. While some concussions are minimal and do not necessitate long-term treatment, other brain injuries can have long-term repercussions.
The best treatment option for a traumatic brain injury in the hours and days following the accident is rest. Resting your brain involves completely turning off all stimuli to your mind and simply relaxing. This means no television, reading, loud music, discussion, and excessive activity. This may not sound like a fun moment, but it’s exactly what your brain needs to recover. After an injury to your ankle, you should rest and heal your brain in the same way that you would relax and recover your ankle.
It’s unlikely that you’ll be referred to concussion therapy during this period. The most important thing is to see your physical therapist for treatment, have your brain injury assessed, and then adhere to post-concussion guidelines to allow your brain to recover. Rest is the most effective strategy to deal with the unpleasant symptoms of a concussion, which include vomiting, confusion, weakness, and headaches, during this time.
Long-Term Symptoms Of Concussions
If the symptoms of a brain injury haven’t improved after a few days, physical therapy treatment is recommended. Early treatment for concussions can help you avoid long-term problems and return to normalcy more quickly.
Long-term concussion symptoms, if not treated, might include:
- Chronic headaches
- Fatigue
- Changes in weight
- Sleep disorder
- Muscle weakness and spasms
- Decreased libido
- Disrupted menstruation and infertility
The Benefits Of Physical Therapy
After a thorough evaluation, a concussion can be diagnosed. Individuals are screened for the presence or absence of symptoms, impairments, or functional limits by physical therapists.
Our physical therapist will ask you a series of questions to better understand your symptoms and evaluate tests to assess your muscle strength, coordination and balance, senses, and memory. They’ll look at your neurological, orthopedic, and cardiovascular systems to see the best treatment options for your specific symptoms.
All too frequently, the symptoms of a concussion cause the most pain. By restoring strength to atrophied muscles and increasing endurance, physical therapy can help you feel well again. This can be accomplished by combining muscle-building and cardio activities. However, working with a physical therapist to get advice on the best exercises for your body’s needs after a brain injury is critical. Working out on your own could result in more injuries. Your physical therapist will design a strength-training program for you and lead you through cardiovascular exercises to help you rebuild your endurance.
Physical Therapy Programs And Specialized Activities For Concussion
Additional treatments, including focused massage, particular stretches, and even eye motion training, can assist in lessening headaches and nausea after a concussion, in addition to physical and occupational therapy.
Vestibular therapy, which helps you orient yourself during moments of lightheadedness or lack of balance, is typically included in concussion physical therapy programs. Our physical therapist will introduce you to specialized tasks to help you do this, such as concentrating your attention on a distant place or utilizing simple movements to stabilize your core and limbs. These measures can help you improve your quality of life while recovering from a concussion in the right direction.
A concussion is a severe injury that should not be overlooked. Regardless of the apparent severity, it is critical to see a doctor after a brain injury to confirm no risk of long-term brain damage. If you or a loved one has had a concussion, please contact us to learn more about concussion therapy treatment and therapy alternatives.
