Concussion
Concussions are a serious concern for athletes, especially those competing in high-impact sports. It is a serious condition that can hinder both your physical and mental capabilities for a period of time. Concussions typically happen from a trauma-based impact, usually either from a sports injury or motor vehicle accident. While concussions can be painful and limiting, physiotherapy treatments can, fortunately, help provide healing and relief. If you are suffering from a concussion and you are looking for treatment, contact MEX Physio today to speak with one of our experienced Milton, Oakville, Burlington, ON physiotherapists.
How do concussions happen?
Concussions are a fairly common injury, but many people are unaware of exactly what happens when one gets a concussion. This injury is a result of an impact, in which the brain collides with the inside of the skull. This can be caused by a harsh blow to the head or any traumatic jolt to the body. Concussions can also be caused if a violent back-and-forth motion (such as whiplash) of the head takes place. When your head tosses in different directions rapidly (such as from a car crash or harsh football tackle), your brain gets tossed along inside it, bouncing off the bony enclosure of your skull. Concussions can result in a number of unfortunate symptoms, such as:
- Headaches/migraines
- Sensitivity to light and sound
- Ringing in the ears
- Visual abnormalities
- Slurring of speech
- Memory loss and confusion
- Nausea and vomiting
- Inability to focus
- Dizziness
- Fatigue
How are concussions treated?
In severe cases, concussions can result in brain bleeds that require emergency medical treatment. In cases such as this, your condition will be treated at the hospital ASAP. In milder cases, your concussion will be treated and cured over a period of time. No matter the severity, your doctor will likely conduct brain imaging and diagnostic tests to analyze the extent of the damage done to your brain during the impact. This will assist your doctor in prescribing your treatment.
While it used to be believed that exercise would create further damage to the concussion, recent studies have actually found the opposite to be true. Active physiotherapy treatments consisting of light exercises and other physical activities have proven to show a decrease in recovery time for patients suffering from concussions. Major north american physiotherapy associations now recognize physiotherapists as potential key players in effective concussion rehabilitation plans.
Concussions are a serious matter, and our physiotherapists are dedicated to helping you recover. They are highly treatable as long as you receive the right guidance and care. If you are suffering from a concussion, request an appointment with one of our Milton, Oakville, Burlington, ON physiotherapists today. We’ll get you started on the first steps toward creating your treatment plan, and help you achieve your goals toward a safe and sensible return to activity!