Med1Care Therapy Partner’s physical therapists provide outpatient concussion examination to evaluate your health following a head injury, such as those sustained during a fall, car accident, assault or by athletes during sporting events.
Symptoms of a concussion may occur immediately or worsen hours after the injury.
Common concussion symptoms include:
- Balance & walking problems
- Changes to sleep patterns
- Difficulty thinking
- Dizziness
- Fatigue
- Headache
- Loss of consciousness
- Memory issues
- Mood changes
- Nausea
- Vision impairment
Evaluating whether you have a concussion is important for treatment and healing and to reduce the risk of another concussion. A second concussion is highly likely if you return to activity before healing is complete. Returning to activity before you are fully healed is high-risk because a second concussion sustained while the first is still healing, called “second impact syndrome,” can result in fatal brain swelling.
Reasons for Outpatient Concussion Examination
A concussion requires immediate recognition and proper management to restore the functionality of the brain and reduce the likelihood of a repeated event. A repeated concussion can take longer to heal, cause permanent neurological damage and in some cases be fatal.
After sustaining a head injury, a concussion examination will measure the brain’s processing and cognitive abilities by testing physical and mental skills.
Concussion testing will examine:
- Balance
- Memory
- Concentration
- Problem solving acuity
- The ability to sustain attention
If you engage in high-risk activities, it is wise to receive a baseline test at the beginning of your sporting season. If you sustain a head injury, your provider can compare your results with your baseline test to individuate the diagnosis.
Concussion examinations should be repeated frequently for athletes over the age of ten, as the brain undergoes large pruning and growth events during adolescence.
Read more about concussions here.
How We Can Help
If you need a concussion examination, our experienced physical therapists can evaluate your health and provide treatment.
Outpatient concussion examination may include:
- A physical exam
- Thinking tests that determine how quickly you can answer questions
- Memory tests
- Concentration tests
Med1Care Therapy Partner’s experienced therapists are trained in providing concussion examinations. We will partner with your physician to help you build a unique treatment plan to regain your physical and cognitive abilities, return to regular activity and prevent additional brain trauma.
Call us at 419.866.0555 to schedule a consultation. Our specialists will help you chart a course forward.
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Concussions are most frequently sustained by children, teenagers and female athletes. High risk situations for concussions include:
- Not wearing a seat belt in a moving vehicle
- Not keeping children in safety seats sized for their needs in a moving vehicle
- Driving while under the influence
- Not wearing a helmet while engaging in activities like riding a bike or motorcycle, playing contact sports, horseback riding, skiing or snowboarding
- Retaining slippery area rugs or failing to install bathroom grab bars for older adults
- Working on a ladder while dizzy or lightheaded, as during inebriation or while taking certain medications
- Failing to annually test your vision and update your prescription, which may increase your likelihood of falling
You should not return to your pre-concussion activities until all your symptoms are gone and a health care provider, who specializes in brain concussions, has evaluated your health and given you clearance.
If you have sustained a concussion, an abundance of rest is on the menu. Sleep as much as needed, both at night and throughout the day. Abstain from regular activities, particular sports. It’s important to prevent another head trauma while you heal.