Listed below are informative blog posts with practical discussions of common sport-related concussion symptoms and concerns with helpful treatment recommendations.
Concussions do not necessarily require being hit in the head or getting knocked out. The full definition of a concussion is any fall, blow, or trauma that causes physical, emotional, or mental changes with or without loss of consciousness.
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With formal names like Convergence Insufficiency and Saccadic Dysfunction you might indeed think that this stuff is far too technical to grasp, but in reality, these issues strike at the very heart of some basic life functions.
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Experts Debate: How Many Concussion are Too Many for an Athlete?
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In the midst of the usual complexities of recovering from a sports-related concussion, I have found that one simple mantra of “re-start activity in 15-20 minutes blocks” can be an anxiety reducing guideline.
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Given that headaches are the most common symptom after concussion and often the last to fully resolve, I spend a good amount of time with my patients discussing headache triggers, anticipated healing course, and how to reduce headache intensity and duration.
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A step-wise concussion return-to-learn progression optimally takes a team approach including the student, family, medical and education teams. Flexibility and creativity in paying attention to individual student needs and concerns can make this process more rewarding for all parties.
There is no doubt that concussion sleep problems can make a difficult injury even more miserable. Reports and experience find that poor sleep is linked with increased symptoms and longer recoveries. Too much sleep that limits sensible daily activity can also slow recovery.
The following exercises are to only be started under the expressed guidance of a trained concussion specialist after an appropriate evaluation with discussion of an overall post-concussion treatment plan.
PENCIL PUSH-UPS FOR CONVERGENCE INSUFFICIENCY
SACCADES EXERCISES (HORIZONTAL)
Place 2 “Post It” Notes on wall at eye level, about 12 inches apart. Stand about 3 feet from the wall
OR
Stretch out your arms in front of you and hold up index fingers at eye level about 12 inches apart
Keep head still during all exercises, move only the eyes.
Start exercise by quickly looking at the target to your right.
Then quickly move your gaze from the right to the left target, then back from left to right target.
Repeat the back and forth eye motions for one minute
Repeat the one minute exercises three times a day
SACCADES EXERCISES (VERTICAL)
Place 2 “Post It” Notes on wall about 12 inches apart. Line one on top, about 6 inches above eye level, and the bottom one about 6 inches below eye level. Stand about 3 feet from the wall.
OR
Stretch out your arms in front of you and line up index fingers about 12 inches apart, with one finger about 6 inches above eye level and the other about 6 inches below eye level.
Keep head still during all exercises, move only the eyes.
Start exercise by quickly looking at the upper target with just your eyes.
Then quickly move your gaze from the upper to the lower target, then back from lower to upper target.
Repeat the upper and down eye motions for one minute
Repeat the one minute exercises three times a day
VESTIBULAR OCULAR REFLEX EXERCISES
Place 1 “Post It” Note on the wall at eye level and stand about 3 feet from the wall
OR
Stretch out your right arm and hold up index finger at eye level and right in front of your nose
Start exercise by holding target steady and turning head from right to left while keeping eye gaze on the target.
Repeat the back and forth motion for one minute. Then rest for one minute.
Next, keep target steady but move head up and down while keeping eye gaze on the target
Repeat the up and down motion for one minute.
Repeat both the side-to-side and up-down exercises three times a day
ONE LEG BALANCE
Stand on one foot while brushing teeth, brushing hair, or even texting
Hold one-foot standing position for 30 seconds
Repeat on other foot
Can do 3 repetitions per day
TANDEM GAIT
Heel to Toe Walking with eyes open forward 5-10 steps, then backward 5-10 steps
Can repeat 3 times
If tolerated OK, then forward and backward Heel to Toe Walking with eyes closed
Can repeat 3 times
INDIVIDUAL BALL EXERCISES
Throwing a small ball from hand to hand (above eye level) first seated, then standing, then turning around
Can do for one minute
Throwing a ball from hand to hand under knee, first seated, then standing, then turning around
Can do for one minute
ADVANCED BALL EXERCISES
Walk circle around another person who will throw you a ball, and you will catch and return
Can do for one minute, rest one minute, with up to three repetitions
Light basketball shooting and rebounding (no impact or collision with others),dribbling OK if noise does not bother
Light table tennis
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