Concussion Treatment at Integrative Physio
Integrative Physio offers a comprehensive, evidence-based approach to concussion treatment, ensuring that individuals who have experienced a concussion receive the highest level of care for a safe and effective recovery. Early intervention is key to minimizing the long-term effects of a concussion, and seeking the care of a healthcare professional experienced in concussion management as soon as possible is crucial.
Recent studies show that one of the best predictors of successful concussion recovery is how quickly a patient is assessed and treated by an INFORMED provider after the injury. The sooner you seek quality concussion care, the better your recovery will be. Concussion management is often not covered at all in medical training and very minimally in even specialist training pathways so it’s important to locate those with specific training in this area.
Initial Care and Rest
Following a concussion injury, the first step is to seek immediate professional evaluation. Once diagnosed, it is typically recommended that you follow a period of symptom-limited “relative rest’ for the first 24-48 hours. During this time, physical and cognitive activity should be kept to a minimum to allow the brain to begin healing.
After this initial rest period, a gradual increase in physical and mental activity is advised. This must be done under the supervision of a trained healthcare practitioner who is experienced in managing concussions to ensure that no activities are introduced too quickly, which could impede recovery or cause further damage.
Personalized Treatment and Rehabilitation
If symptoms persist beyond 7 to 10 days, an individualized treatment and rehabilitation program should be initiated. Recovery after this period requires a specialized approach that addresses various aspects of brain function, including cognitive, physical, and emotional recovery. At Integrative Physio, we offer a full suite of treatments designed to promote optimal recovery and return to regular activities.
Evidence-Based Treatment Approaches
The scientific evidence supports early, targeted interventions for optimal concussion recovery. At Integrative Physio, our comprehensive treatment options include:
1. Balance Rehabilitation
Concussions often cause balance and coordination issues. Our balance rehabilitation program helps restore stability and reduce dizziness, allowing patients to regain confidence in their physical movements.
2. Nutritional Interventions
The right nutrition plays a crucial role in supporting brain recovery. We provide dietary and supplement recommendations that help reduce inflammation, promote healing, and support overall brain health during the recovery process.
3. Cognitive Testing
We regularly perform cognitive testing to monitor memory, concentration, and other cognitive functions. This allows us to track progress, ensure that the brain is healing, and determine when it is safe to return to work, school, or sport.
4. Integrated Manual Therapy
It is assumed that every concussion involves a degree of whiplash. Many ongoing symptoms such as headaches and dizziness can be attributed to upper neck (cervical) dysfunction. Evidence shows that in managing these conditions manual therapy is superior to exercise only approaches. Therefore integrated manual therapy, dry needling and exercise are used to restore normal neck function and alleviating any pain caused by the injury, which is commonly associated with concussion-related whiplash.
5. Exercise Rehabilitation
Specific cardiovascular exercise programs are introduced at appropriate stages of recovery. Early, supervised exercise has been shown to significantly improve recovery outcomes by increasing blood flow to the brain, which promotes healing. Graduated exercise is arguably the most important pillar of management.
6. Return to School, Work, and Sport
Our treatment programs include structured return-to-school, work, and sport protocols. This ensures that patients are only reintroduced to their normal activities once they are fully recovered, minimizing the risk of reinjury or prolonged symptoms.