How do I know if I need concussion physical therapy treatment?

Concussions can be scary, and the information on the web can take you in many different directions. So how do you really know if you need to seek treatment for your concussion or if it will just go away on its own? And what does physical therapy treatment entail?

What does treatment for concussions in physical therapy look like?

Physical therapists are thoroughly trained in the body's movement systems, including the neck and head. Following a concussion, some of the most typical symptoms include headaches, dizziness, neck pain, and difficulty balancing. These symptoms are typically related to the muscles on your head and neck, as well as the inner ear system called the Vestibular system. A physical therapist will assess and treat these systems with various techniques including movement-based exercises, education, and manual interventions. Even balance, which is largely affected when your head is hit, can be changed by treating the muscles surrounding your head and neck.

When should I seek treatment vs wait and see?

The majority of concussions do go away on their own, greater than 70% in fact. However, the majority factors in concussions in all populations including children who sustain sports concussions to older adults that fall and hit their head. Therefore, depending your your age, how you get your concussion, and other medical factors, you can raise your risk of having a concussion that sticks around a little longer.

So what makes you higher risk for a concussion that lasts longer than typical?

Age

As people age, in general, it will take longer for injuries to heal. The same goes for concussions, an 18-year-old athlete will likely heal from a concussion faster than a 50-year-old individual.

Mechanism of Injury

Different ways you get injured can change how long it takes to heal from a concussion. Getting a concussion in a car accident or trauma-related incident (fights, domestic abuse, etc), will typically take longer to heal compared to sports-related concussions.

Pre-existing medical conditions

Having certain diagnoses or a previous concussion can increase your odds of having symptoms that last longer. The most researched diagnoses that increase healing time for a concussion include mood disorders (anxiety and depression), ADHD/learning disability, and/or history of migraines.

Gender

Unfortunately, for factors not completely understood, females are at a higher risk of longer-term symptoms than men.

In conclusion, physical therapists are trained to treat many of the symptoms you may have following a concussion. While it is true that the majority of concussions resolve on their own, if you have any of the factors mentioned above it might be worthwhile to seek out the care of a physical therapist sooner than later to help resolve your symptoms and get you back to all the things you love.

If you would like to speak to a licensed physical therapist, hit the chat now button below to reach out!