What is a Concussion?

According to the most recent consensus statement (Amsterdam, 2023):

“Sport-related concussion is a traumatic brain injury caused by a direct blow to the head, neck, or body resulting in an impulsive force being transmitted to the brain that occur and sports and exercise-related activities. This initiates a neurotransmitter and metabolic cascade, with possible axonal injury, blood flow change and inflammation affecting the brain. Symptoms and signs may present immediately, or evolve over minutes or hours, and commonly resolve within days, but may be prolonged.

No abnormality is seen on standard structural neuroimaging studies (CT or MRI). Sport-related concussion results in a range of clinical symptoms and signs that may or may not involve a loss of consciousness.”

How is a Concussion Treated?

Rest is no longer the best approach to concussion care. You will be taken through a series of assessments and special tests to determine the involved systems that may be driving your symptoms. There are a number of steps to treating a concussion that may include exercise therapy, manual musculoskeletal based therapy, visual and vestibular rehabilitation, and diet/nutritional intervention.