Concussion Management Edmonton
Comprehensive Concussion Management at Family Physiotherapy Clinic
At Family Physiotherapy Clinic, we recognize the unique challenges that accompany a concussion. We are dedicated to providing you with the most advanced and comprehensive care tailored to your specific needs. Our concussion management program incorporates in-depth assessment, individualized treatment plans, effective monitoring, and a step-by-step guided return to your activities.
Understanding Concussions
Concussions are a form of mild traumatic brain injury typically caused by a blow, bump, or jolt to the head. It can also occur from a hit to the body that causes the head to move rapidly back and forth. This sudden movement can cause the brain to bounce around or twist in the skull, creating chemical changes in the brain and sometimes stretching and damaging brain cells. Symptoms can vary and may include headaches, confusion, dizziness, and balance problems, along with cognitive difficulties such as memory loss or difficulty concentrating.
Our Evidence-Based Approach to Concussion Management
We understand that each patient and concussion is unique, which is why our concussion management program focuses on a patient-centric, individualized approach. Here’s a glimpse into our method:
- Initial Comprehensive Assessment: Our expert therapists will conduct an extensive evaluation of your symptoms, cognitive function, physical status, balance, and more. This allows us to understand the extent of the injury and identify specific areas that need attention.
- Individualized Treatment Plan: Based on your initial assessment, we create a tailored treatment plan. This includes rest and recovery strategies, specific physical and cognitive exercises to enhance function, education to understand and manage symptoms, and therapeutic techniques to alleviate pain and discomfort.
- Progress Monitoring: We track your recovery through regular follow-ups, adjusting your treatment plan as necessary. We use standardized tools and assessments to objectively measure progress and response to treatment.
- Return-to-Activity Guidance: A key component of our program is ensuring a safe and gradual return to daily activities, school, work, or sports. We provide a step-by-step approach to prevent exacerbating symptoms or risking further injury.
- Preventive Education: We believe knowledge is power. Our team will educate you and your family about the nature of concussions, symptom management, risk factors, and preventive strategies to mitigate the risk of future injuries.
Integrating ImPACT in Concussion Management
In our pursuit to provide the best concussion care, we incorporate ImPACT (Immediate Post-Concussion Assessment and Cognitive Testing), a widely recognized and highly validated computerized neurocognitive assessment tool.
ImPACT assists in determining the severity and effects of the concussion by comparing your cognitive function before and after the injury. It offers a valuable tool to monitor recovery and provides essential information to make safe return-to-activity decisions.
How Does ImPACT Work in Concussion Management?
ImPACT offers two types of tests:
- Baseline Test: This test is ideally conducted before a sports season begins or before engaging in activities with a risk of concussions. It measures the individual’s “normal” or uninjured cognitive state, including aspects like memory, reaction time, speed, and concentration.
- Post-Injury Test: If a concussion occurs, a series of post-injury tests are carried out. These results are then compared with the baseline test (or normative data if no baseline test is available) to assess any cognitive changes or deficits.
Benefits of ImPACT in Concussion Management
- Assess Severity: By comparing pre- and post-injury results, ImPACT helps us assess the severity of the issue and understand the cognitive impact of the injury.
- Communicate Status: ImPACT results provide tangible data that we can use to communicate the post-concussion status to patients, families, coaches, or teachers. It provides a common language to discuss the injury’s cognitive effects.
- Monitor Recovery: Regular ImPACT testing during the recovery process helps us track the patient’s cognitive progress and adapt the treatment plan accordingly.
- Return-to-Activity Decisions: ImPACT plays a critical role in making safe return-to-activity decisions. When post-injury test results match the baseline results, it provides a robust indication that the patient has returned to their “normal” cognitive functioning, which assists in determining when it’s safe to return to activity.
Our ImPACT-trained physiotherapists are specialists in concussion management. They utilize the ImPACT tool to assess, monitor, and guide recovery from concussions, ensuring a safe return to daily activities and sports.
Disclaimer:
Concussions are a serious medical condition that requires immediate medical attention. Always consult a healthcare professional if you suspect you or someone else has sustained a concussion. While the ImPACT tool provides valuable insights, it is only a part of a broader clinical evaluation and does not replace a comprehensive medical assessment.
Our Concussion Management Package Pricing
We offer a comprehensive concussion management package with group rates per person:
- Post-injury concussion treatment: $90.00
- Post-injury concussion assessment: $150.00
Each component of the package plays a crucial role in effectively managing and recovering from concussions.
Contact Us
At Family Physiotherapy Clinic, we are here to support and guide you every step of the way, from initial assessment to complete recovery. If you have any questions about our concussion management program or if you would like to schedule an appointment, please do not hesitate to reach out to us. Your health is our utmost priority.