It may be the least traumatic type of brain injury, but it’s still just that: a traumatic brain injury. That’s right – we’re talking about concussions, and they’re extremely prominent in sports, particularly in student athletes.
A concussion is caused by a direct blow to the head, face, or neck. In the United States, an estimated 300,000 sports-related concussions occur annually. In high school gender-comparable sports, girls have a higher concussion rate than boys. Female athletes have also been shown to have a greater recovery time in post-concussion symptoms as compared to males.
Often times the signs go unrecognized, which could lead to worsening symptoms or more difficult injuries to treat down the line. It’s important for parents, coaches and students to know what to look for and how to handle a case where you believe a student athlete may have a concussion.
Signs of a Concussion
Concussion symptoms usually appear within minutes of the injury; however, some symptoms may take several hours to become noticeable. Any athlete who has lost consciousness during a sports-related impact should be examined for a concussion or a spine injury immediately. A headache is the most common complaint of an athlete with a concussion. If you suspect someone has suffered a concussion, keep an eye out for the following symptoms:
- Loss of consciousness
- Headache
- Feeling “foggy”
- Loss of memory
- Behavioral changes (irritability, mood swings, aggressiveness, depression, etc)
- Nausea/vomiting
- Poor balance
- Pupils that are enlarged or not equal in size
- Double or blurred vision
- Slurred speech
- Difficulty sleeping
- Increased tiredness
What to do if you suspect a concussion in an athlete:
- Take them out of the game and keep them out until they’ve been examined by a professional.
- The athlete should rest until there is a resolution of symptoms, allowing time for the brain to recover. This involves time to sleep and/or frequent naps.
- Minimize distractions (i.e. TV, Internet, reading, phone, etc.).
- Don’t feel the need to wake them up every hour; this actually disturbs sleep patterns which can hinder the brain’s healing process. It is unnecessary to wake the athlete up every hour.
- Avoid pain relievers, like aspirin or other anti-inflammatory medications which may increase the risk of bleeding in the brain.
- Do not leave the athlete alone following the injury. Monitor their symptoms closely; if they worsen, they may need additional evaluation or to be taken to the emergency room to determine if the injury is more serious.
Physical therapists are the most qualified in assessing and treating pain, and can determine based on the symptoms we’ve outlined if further action needs to be taken. Through direct access, parents and coaches can refer and set up an appointment at a local PT clinic without the need of a physician prescription or referral, and can get these student athletes treated immediately for injury,
Physical therapy is the “secret” to better, faster, natural and more affordable pain relief. In 2017, accredited physical therapist and clinic owner, Dr. Michelle Wolpov, PT, DPT, MBA, ATC, CSCS, released Direct Access to Physical Therapy: The Secret Revealed – How To Relieve Pain & Restore Function WITHOUT Medication, Injections or Surgery to educate the public about the benefits of self-referral to physical therapy for pain treatment. This book is the first of its kind; it explains why a physical therapist is the most qualified to treat your pain, how direct access saves patients time, money, yields better results, and how to start treatment today, without a physician referral. Start your journey to a pain free life today! Available on Amazon for Paperback and Kindle.
For more of Dr. Wolpov’s tips, updates, and the latest information about physical therapy for patients and professionals alike, follow Game Shape Physical Therapy and ThinkPTFirst on Facebook and Instagram.
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