Concussion Management

just because people can’t see a brain injury doesn’t make it any less serious

Leading Edge Physiotherapy now offers a comprehensive concussion and traumatic brain injury treatment program, in a style reflective of our dedication to using the best technology, skills and people. We have trained physiotherapists and occupational therapists that will assess you to determine what type of treatment that may be required after a head injury. This can include manual therapy, specialized vestibular therapy, neuromuscular retraining, cognitive therapy or a combination of these.

what is a concussion or mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI)?

A concussion/mild traumatic brain injury is an acute neurophysiological event related to blunt impact or other mechanical energy applied to the head, neck or body (with transmitting forces to the brain). This can occur as a result of sudden acceleration, deceleration or rotational forces. This event can cause damage to living brain tissue at the cellular level which can cause previously automatic skills to now require conscious or deliberate processing. This often leads to fatigue due to a higher demand on cognitive capacity.

it can be sustained from:

• a motor vehicle crash,
• sport or recreational injury,
• falls,
• workplace injury,
• or assault.

who should be assessed?

The Guideline for Concussion/Mild Traumatic Brain Injury & Persistent Symptoms, 3^rd edition states that patients who have the following should be assessed:

• comorbidities or identified health or risk factors and are not on a trajectory of improvement within the first month or
• persistent symptoms greater than 4 weeks post-injury, be referred for more comprehensive interdisciplinary evaluation to specialized concussion services/clinics.

treatment

Our first priority in the examination is the screening of vascular and neurological structures as well as many conditions potentially requiring immediate medical attention. Our comprehensive assessment includes procedures designed to evaluate:

• vestibulo-ocular function,
• dynamic visual acuity (movement of the body or head and visual response),
• cervical spine biomechanics and kinesthetic function,
• sensory organization,
• static and dynamic postural stability,
• motion sensitivity,
• and various forms of nystagmus associated with specific conditions.

We utilize infrared goggles and other state of the art technology to assist with our diagnosis.

 cognitive rehabilitation therapy

This area of treatment focuses on the development of cognitive skills which have been lost or altered as a result of neurological trauma. The aim of treatment is to improve the ability to carry out everyday tasks. The process includes development of skills through direct retraining or practicing the underlying cognitive skills, use of internal compensatory strategies, use of external aids, education about the problems, causes and implications, and application of all of this into everyday life. (Learn More)

At Leading Edge we also work with a network of professionals that we can refer to if there are issues that we are unable to treat. This includes addressing changes in a patient’s vision or hearing.

your brain shouldn’t hurt – call today