Concussion/Traumatic Brain Injury

Is your world turning upside down? We can help!

Concussion, or mild Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) results from forceful contact to your head, neck or body that shifts or twists your brain inside your skull, causing damage to the delicate structures of your brain. Traumatic brain injury can result from participation in sports, whiplash injuries, accidental falls or blows to you head, neck or body.

Loss of consciousness is not always experienced as a result of the concussion and the symptoms of a traumatic brain injury are variable. Symptoms of a concussion include confusion, disorientation, loss of balance or unsteadiness, dizziness, headache, visual disturbances, difficulty with concentration or memory, sensitivity to light or sound, changes in behavior, sleep disturbances and others. Symptoms can vary greatly in their intensity and how long they last.

Symptoms of concussion occur often without any detectable changes on standard diagnostic imaging, such as MRI/CT. Symptoms may resolve completely over time, usually within 3 months, but symptoms that interfere with activities of daily living should be evaluated and treated if necessary.  If significant impairment of your brain is suspected intervention during the appropriate time of the healing process can help greatly, improving the relief of symptoms and function of your brain.

A variety of neuropsychological and physical performance measures have been developed to aid in the diagnosis and management of concussion because the symptoms of a concussion are often subtle and difficult to detect by standard examination procedures. The Sport Concussion Assessment Tool (SCAT2/3); Immediate Post-concussion Assessment and Cognitive Test (ImPACT); and the King-Devick Test are among tests presently available to assess the effects of traumatic brain injury.

None of these tests are intended to be “stand alone” tests for concussion diagnosis because the effects of a concussion involve brainstem and subcortical areas, not only cortical areas that deal with memory, recall and reaction time. A professional trained in the diagnosis of concussion should evaluate you thoroughly to properly assess the extent of your brain injury.

Your functional neurologic examination and diagnostic testing aids in identifying those areas of your brain being affected, and in applying the right mix of individualized, specific neurologic therapies to create improvement.

If you choose us, we look forward to assisting you in recovery from your brain injury.