Concussion Care

Physiotherapy (PT) treatment for concussion typically involves a gradual return to school, work and physical activity, under the guidance of a physiotherapist to ensure you are working at just the right level. This may include light aerobic exercise, balance and coordination exercises, and gradual progression to more strenuous activities. Soft tissue massage, manual therapy, and vestibular rehabilitation may also be utilized to help manage symptoms such as headaches, dizziness, and neck pain. The physiotherapist will work closely with you to develop an individualized treatment plan, taking into account the severity of your injury and your specific symptoms and needs.

An occupational therapist (OT) can help you after a concussion by assessing and addressing any physical, cognitive, or visual impairments that may be affecting your ability to perform daily tasks. The OT will work with you to develop an individualized treatment plan and provide interventions aimed at improving your functional abilities and managing symptoms. Some common ways an occupational therapist can help you after a concussion include

1. Assessing and treating physical impairments: Following an assessment the OT can assign specific activities to improve your strength, coordination, and balance, which can be affected by a concussion.
2. Improving cognitive abilities: An occupational therapist can help you with memory, attention, and concentration difficulties, which can occur after a concussion.
3. Addressing visual perceptual issues: An occupational therapist can help you with visual processing difficulties, such as double vision or light sensitivity, which can occur after a concussion.
4. Managing symptoms: Strategies will be reviewed to help you manage symptoms such as headaches, fatigue, and dizziness, which can occur after a concussion.
5. Making recommendations for modifications: Recommendations can be made for modifications in the home, school, or workplace to help you return to your normal routine as safely and effectively as possible.

Cognitive rehabilitation is a form of rehabilitation that focuses on improving cognitive abilities that may have been affected by an injury. Cognitive abilities include memory, attention, executive functioning (e.g., planning, problem-solving), and language processing. Cognitive rehabilitation is often used in the treatment of conditions such as traumatic brain injury, stroke, dementia, and other conditions that can impact cognitive functioning.

Cognitive rehabilitation typically involves a combination of therapeutic activities and exercises that are tailored to your specific needs and goals. These may include memory exercises, attention training, and activities to improve executive functioning. The therapy may also include compensatory strategies, such as using memory aids, to help individuals manage their cognitive impairments in daily life.

The specific goals and outcomes of cognitive rehabilitation will vary depending on your specific needs and abilities but are aimed at improving your ability to perform daily tasks, such as work, school, and home responsibilities, as well as improve your overall quality of life.

Speech-language pathology, also known as speech therapy, is a healthcare profession that focuses on the evaluation and treatment of communication and swallowing disorders. Speech-language pathologists, also known as speech therapists, work with individuals who have difficulties expressing information through speaking and/or writing, understanding spoken and/or written language, managing the cognitive demands of communication for work, daily life activities and social interactions, or swallowing.

Speech-language pathologists can use a variety of techniques and exercises to help you improve your communication abilities. This may include working to improve your speech sounds, fluency, and voice quality, as well as helping with language skills, such as vocabulary and grammar, and improving the quality of social interactions.

The goal of speech therapy is to help you achieve your maximum level of independence and communication ability. A speech-language pathologist will work closely with you and other members of the healthcare team to ensure that you achieve your goals.

A speech-language pathologist (SLP) can help individuals with a concussion in a variety of ways, including

1. Evaluating communication and cognitive abilities: SLPs can evaluate your communication and cognitive abilities to assess any issues related to speech and make recommendations for treatment.
2. Improving cognitive processing: SLPs may use cognitive rehabilitation techniques to help you improve your attention, memory, and executive functioning skills, which are important skills for communication competency and can be affected by a concussion.
3. Improving communication skills: SLPs can work with you to improve your speech and language abilities, such as improving their vocabulary, grammar, and fluency, which can be affected by a concussion.
4. Addressing issues with swallowing: In some cases, a concussion can also affect an individual’s ability to swallow, and an SLP can provide treatments to help improve swallowing abilities.
5. Developing compensatory strategies: SLPs can also work with you to develop compensatory strategies to manage communication and cognitive issues in daily life.

It is important to note that the specific types of treatment that an SLP will provide will depend on your specific needs and abilities. A comprehensive evaluation by an SLP is the first step in determining the best course of treatment.

Mental health issues, such as anxiety and depression, are common following a concussion, and seeking professional support is an important part of the recovery process. Mental health services can help you regain your quality of life, reduce symptoms, and support your overall well-being.

Accessing mental health services can be very helpful for individuals who have experienced a concussion. A concussion can cause a range of emotional and psychological symptoms, including anxiety, depression, and irritability. Mental health services will help you manage these symptoms and improve your overall emotional well-being. Concussions can also cause changes in cognitive function, such as difficulties with memory, attention, and executive functioning. Mental health services can help you learn coping strategies and develop compensatory strategies to help you manage these changes.

Concussions can also cause sleep disturbances, including difficulties falling or staying asleep. Mental health services, such as cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia (CBT-I), can improve your sleep and reduce sleep-related symptoms. Additionally, mental health services can improve your overall quality of life by addressing the emotional and psychological impact of a concussion. This can include reducing symptoms of anxiety and depression, improving sleep, and developing coping strategies for managing changes in cognitive function.

Mental health services are tailored to your specific needs and goals. A comprehensive evaluation by a mental health professional is the first step in determining the best course of treatment for an individual who has experienced a concussion. The goal of mental health services is to help you achieve their maximum level of emotional and psychological well-being.