A concussion can happen in an instant, but knowing what to do afterward can make a lasting difference. September is Concussion Awareness Month, an opportunity to take a closer look at an injury that can happen to anyone, at any age and in a variety of circumstances. Concussions are often associated with sports, particularly football and other contact sports, but they can also occur after a fall, car accident, bicycle accident, workplace injury or everyday mishap. Because concussions are not always immediately obvious, knowing what to look for and understanding when to seek medical care can make an important difference in recovery.
What is a concussion?
A concussion is a type of traumatic brain injury caused by a blow, bump, or jolt to the head or body that causes the brain to move rapidly within the skull. The injury can affect how a person thinks, feels, sleeps and functions physically, even when there is no visible injury. One common misconception is that a person must lose consciousness to have a concussion. In fact, most people who experience a concussion do not lose consciousness.
Symptoms can also vary considerably. Someone with a concussion may experience a headache, dizziness, nausea, blurred vision, sensitivity to light or noise, balance problems or fatigue. They may have difficulty concentrating or remembering information, feel unusually sluggish or foggy, have changes in their sleep or mood, or feel irritable and confused. Symptoms may appear immediately or develop over the hours following an injury. This is one reason it is important to pay attention to changes after a significant blow or fall rather than assuming everything is fine because a person initially feels okay.
Concussion rehabilitation at Northern Arizona Healthcare
Specialized concussion care can be particularly valuable in supporting recovery. Northern Arizona Healthcare (NAH) offers a concussion rehabilitation program at EntireCare Sports Medicine & Rehabilitation, designed to provide patients with comprehensive care throughout the recovery process. EntireCare has collaborated with Timothy Partridge, MD, a sports medicine specialist at NAH’s Orthopedics & Spine Institute, who is also the team physician for NAU Athletics. Through this partnership, NAH offers concussion rehabilitation and medical management for middle school through collegiate level athletes and community members not participating in school-based athletics.
“The best approach to treating each case is to utilize the patient’s history and examination to tease out what concussion subtypes, or domains, are affecting them,” said Dr. Partridge. “We then craft a personalized treatment plan, attempting to actively treat each one of these, and not simply waiting for them to get better with time. We consider a completely holistic approach, focusing on not just treating the subtypes, but also optimizing wellness such as sleep, exercise and mental health, among other factors, as they recover.”
The NAH EntireCare concussion rehabilitation program treats all types of concussions, not just those sustained by student-athletes. Participants are offered medical management, nonsurgical orthopedic procedures, and oversight by Dr. Partridge, as well as physical and cognitive rehabilitation from the EntireCare rehab team for a faster return to sports, academics or work, depending on the patient’s goals. Clinical rehab support is offered by EntireCare, including physical, occupational, and speech therapy, as well as services from Justin Singleton and Kasey Calwell, who are both board-certified physical therapists who specialize in clinical neurological care.
“Rather than taking a one-size-fits-all approach, concussion management focuses on the individual, their symptoms and their progress,” said Singleton. “It is also important to recognize that recovery from a concussion is not limited to physical activity. The brain needs time to recover, and we can help guide the patient through the recovery process, as some people may temporarily have difficulty with activities that require concentration.”
NAH recognizes that education is an important part of prevention and recovery, and that concussion awareness is especially relevant this time of year as students return to school. While most students will never experience a concussion, the start of a new academic and athletic year is a good reminder for parents and educators to know the warning signs. Student athletes should understand that reporting symptoms is not a sign of weakness and that they should never feel pressured to stay in a game after a suspected concussion.
Concussion Awareness Month is more than recognizing a sports injury. It’s about understanding that the brain is vulnerable and that even an injury that appears minor can have a range of impacts. Taking symptoms seriously, seeking appropriate evaluation and allowing adequate time for recovery can help people safely return to the activities that are important to them.
Community Health Matters column
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