Headaches, visual deficits, fatigue or concentration issues are only a few symptoms of concussions. These symptoms can take a toll on personal and professional relationships and get in the way of enjoying many activities.
If you are still dealing with symptoms from a concussion ten days after the original injury or have never fully recovered from an old concussion or a sports related injury, we can help.
At Mountain Land Physical Therapy Partners, we provide concussion physical therapy using a multimodal approach, including:
- Vestibular rehabilitation and balance therapy to improve postural stability and reduce dizziness or vertigo
- Coordination therapy to enhance motor function and reduce the risk of falls
- Vision therapy to address visual disturbances and promote efficient eye tracking and focusing
- Primitive reflex integration to retrain the brain’s motor control and sensory processing
Common concussion symptoms
Physical symptoms
- Fogginess or confusion, including difficulty concentrating or feeling mentally “foggy”
- New memory impairments, such as difficulty remembering recent events or new information
- Blurred or double vision, as well as other visual disturbances
- Sensitivity to noise or light, which can exacerbate other symptoms
- Headaches and/or nausea, which may be severe or persistent
- Dizziness and/or balance impairments, which can make it difficult to stand or walk
Cognitive symptoms
- Slowed reaction times or difficulty processing information
- Reduced attention span or difficulty multitasking
- Difficulty communicating or finding the right words to express thoughts
Emotional symptoms
- New emotional disturbances, such as anxiety, depression or irritability
- Increased sensitivity to stress or changes in mood
- Difficulty sleeping or changes in sleep patterns
It’s important to note that these symptoms can vary from person to person and may not appear immediately after a concussion.
Concussions can cause physical, cognitive and emotional symptoms that can impact daily life. Seeking help from a physical therapist at Mountain Land Physical Therapy Partners can alleviate symptoms using a multimodal approach.
How physical therapy helps concussions
All too often, it is these symptoms of a concussion that lead to the greatest amount of discomfort. Concussion physical therapy supports recovery by restoring strength to atrophied muscles and improving endurance. This can be achieved through a combination of muscle training activities and aerobics.
However, it is important to work with a skilled physical therapist to gain guidance regarding the best activities for your body’s needs post brain injury. Working out alone may increase the risk of further injury. Your physical therapist will customize a strength building program for you, as well as guide you through aerobic exercises to help you regain endurance and support a safe return to sport or daily activity.
What is concussion therapy?
Concussion therapy is a highly useful tool in supporting recovery from traumatic brain injury (TBI). During concussion therapy, you can expect to work with a highly experienced physical therapist who will evaluate the severity of your brain trauma and match you with strategies and techniques that can reduce discomfort, alleviate painful symptoms and improve brain functionality.
What does concussion therapy look like?
In addition to physical therapy, additional strategies like targeted massage, specific stretches and even eye motion training can help to reduce headaches and nausea following a concussion. Physical therapy programs for concussion often include vestibular rehabilitation, which helps you orient yourself during periods of lightheadedness or loss of balance.
To encourage this, your physical therapist will introduce you to specialized activities, including maintaining your gaze on a distant point or using simple movements to stabilize your core and limbs. With proper guidance, these strategies can be incredibly helpful in improving your quality of life as you recover from a concussion.
Contact us today
A concussion is not something you can ignore. Regardless of the perceived severity, following a TBI it is incredibly important that you check in with a physician to ensure that there is no potential for lasting brain damage.
If you or a loved one has experienced a concussion, find a Mountain Land Physical Therapy Partners location near you in Utah, Idaho, or Montana and schedule your concussion physical therapy appointment today.