Jason is certified in Vestibular Rehabilitation and Concussion through the American Institute of Balance. This certification has equipped him to assess symptoms to determine if a concussion is present, and guide you through a safe and personalized recovery program. A concussion, or mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI), can be a very frustrating injury, especially with long-term symptoms called post-concussion syndrome. Unfortunately, the CDC estimates that half of concussions occurring in the US go undiagnosed and untreated.
Concussions are commonly caused by a blow or jolt to the head or body. When you take a blow, your brain will bounce off of your skull, which can temporarily disrupt brain function, and change the brain’s chemical balance. They can be caused by a wide range of incidents including falls, playground injuries, car accidents, and ALL athletic sports. Concussions can cause short- and long-term symptoms for the body, the brain, and the patient’s behavior.
Symptoms can range widely, and sometimes take someone other than the injured party to notice. Most people think that a concussion can only have occurred if someone loses consciousness, but that is not the case. In fact, less than 10% of concussions lead to someone being “knocked out.” Symptoms can start immediately, or take days to appear.
The injured person may notice: headache, nausea, balance problems, dizziness, double/fuzzy vision, light or noise sensitivity, feeling sluggish or “foggy,” altered sleep pattern, or concentration/memory problems.
What you might notice from the injured person could be: dazed/stunned appearance, confusion with ordinary tasks, forgetfulness, confusion over current situation, clumsy movement, answering questions slowly, loss of consciousness (even temporarily), behavior/personality change, memory loss prior to injury, or even memory loss after injury.
Studies show that patients who receive early vestibular rehab have quicker improvement of visual and cognitive symptoms, less dizziness, and regain balance control faster. Taking a “wait-it-out” approach to recovery from a concussion can lead to longer recovery times and an increased risk of developing persistent post-concussion symptoms.
Baseline testing can also be beneficial to athletes prior to starting their season. This test establishes the athlete’s normal neurocognitive levels prior to a concussion, so they are available for comparison in the event of an injury.