


What is a Concussion?
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A concussion is a traumatic brain injury resulting from a direct blow to the head/face or indirect blow anywhere to the body, transmitting forces to the brain. This form of head trauma requires proper attention and care to prevent further injury and long term impairment.
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Concussion injuries result in alterations in brain function that produces a wide range of symptoms, which contribute to physical, cognitive, behavioral and emotional changes seen in a concussed individual.

Signs and Symptoms
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Headache
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Dizziness
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Neck Pain
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Nasea/Vomiting
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Poor Concentration
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Trouble focusing on objects/words
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feeling "foggy"
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Depression and/or Anxiety
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Confusion
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Amnesia or Poor Memory
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Flashing Lights
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Blurred or Double Vision
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Seeing "Stars"
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Irritability or Emotional Changes
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Ringing in the Ears
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Slow to Follow Directions
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Decreased Playing, School or Work Ability
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Easily Distracted
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Vacant Stare
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Drowsiness or Fatigue
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Difficulty Falling/Staying Asleep
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Feeling "off" or Not Like Oneself
● Concussions can be difficult to properly recognize given the wide range of symptoms and individual responses and as well as symptoms may be delayed for several minutes to hours after the initial injury.
● For athletes, if a concussion is suspected, there should be absolutely NO return to play until ruled out by a medical doctor.
● Contact a qualified Physician (eg. Family or Sport MD) and concussion trained therapist as soon as possible. It is not usually necessary to visit the ER unless your symptoms are severe and/or rapidly worsening.
What to do?


Acute ConcussionCare
Acute Concussion Care
Anyone with a suspected concussion should not return back to activity the same day, even if he/she is feeling better. Problems caused by a head injury can increase if provoked, prolong recovery or increase your likelihood of sustaining a “second impact syndrome.”
Problems from a concussion injury could arise over the first 24-48 hours. The patient should not be left alone and MUST go to the hospital at once if they experience:
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Excessive drowsiness or cannot be awakened
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Changes in behaviour
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Repeated vomiting (>2 episodes)
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Extreme dizziness
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Worsening headache (10/10 pain scale)
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Persistent double vision
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Weakness or numbness in the arms and/or legs
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An inability to recognize people or places
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Unsteadiness on their feet
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Slurred speech
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Seizures
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Amnesia
Remember, it’s better to be SAFE! Consult your doctor after sustaining a suspect concussion and book an appointment with a trained concussion provider.

Second Impact Syndrome:
A rare, but serious consequence of head trauma, which results in rapid swelling of the brain - potentially leading to severe disability or death. Controversy exists as to whether second impact syndrome is a product of cumulative head trauma (when an athlete sustains a concussion while still suffering the effects of a previous concussion), or if it is simply a product of a single, mild traumatic brain injury.
Regardless of its cause, second impact syndrome is a severe consequence of head injury in young athletes. There should be absolutely NO return to play while an athlete is displaying signs and symptoms of a concussion, regardless of the level of competition.

Rowan's Law

Our Concussion Rehabilitation Approach
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Recovery from a concussion can be difficult and frustrating. Each concussed patient is affected differently, and as such, requires individualized care. Like all other injuries, no two concussion cases are the same, thus making it impossible to employ a "cookie-cutter"approach and to predict long-term outcomes when an individual can return-to-participation.
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Fortunately, with rehabilitation from a trained concussion provider, most concussions will resolve within a short time-frame!
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However, some cases may persist up to a month or longer, which can be due to many factors (concussion recovery will vary person to person). A small percentage of people may go on to experience Post Concussion Syndrome - a term used to describe the persistence of concussion related symptoms beyond the expected recovery time-frame.
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Here at MoveWell, management recommendations will include:
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Assessment (head/neck, neural, visual, vestibular, balance, coordination): We are assessing to FIND and REHAB the impairment, not the symptom!
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Injury Education: understanding concussion injury is important for both the injured individual and surrounding loved ones and is a crucial step to recovery.
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Referral: to other health providers if needed (vision therapy, psychologist, etc)
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Specific Recommendations: modified school and work demands
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Individualized Rest Management Strategies/Exercises: home instructions and rehabilitation exercises specific to the impairment
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Athletic/Physio/Massage Therapy: it is common to see neck and head injuries/dysfunction following a concussion. Our team at MoveWell provides wide range of unique skills to address concussion related injuries.
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Treadmill Testing: daily physical exercise below symptom threshold is a very crucial part to concussion recovery.
References - all information above was taken from the following sources:
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Level 2 Shift Concussion Care: Vestibular and Ocular Rehabilitation Methods for Concussion - 2020