Summary: <br> Dr. Podell says concussions are treatable. I have traditionally heard you do not treat a concussion, instead you manage it.<br> <br> <br> <br> Join Dr. Podell for a discussion live from the Trinity University Sports medicine Workshop 2020.<br> <br> <br> <br> <br> <br> <br> <br> Cervical Strain is Treatable - 3 min<br> <br> <br> <br> Neck issues can play a big role in prolonged headaches.<br> <br> <br> <br> Location of headaches may correlate to the c-spine that has been affected.<br> <br> <br> <br> Role of Myodural connection - 5 minutes<br> <br> <br> <br> “Effect of the Suboccipital Musculature on Symptom Severity and Recovery after Mild Traumatic Brain Injury”: <a href="http://www.ajnr.org/content/37/8/1556">http://www.ajnr.org/content/37/8/1556</a><br> <br> <br> <br> Study done in 2016 on myodural bridge and its connection to post-concussive symptoms, may suggest that treating suboccipital musculature early on may reduce post-concussive headaches and/or other symptoms.<br> <br> <br> <br> Neck strengthening and conditioning - 6-9 min<br> <br> <br> <br> Neck girth and strength = reduced impact to the head and neck<br> <br> <br> <br> Strength exercises must be done in all planes!<br> <br> <br> <br> “The effects of rest and treatment following sport-related concussion: a systematic review of the literature” <br> <br> <br> <br> <a href="https://bjsm.bmj.com/content/47/5/304.long">https://bjsm.bmj.com/content/47/5/304.long</a><br> <br> <br> <br> Studies revealed that those who reported pre-season baseline symptoms had an increased risk for concussions during the season.<br> <br> <br> <br> “Sex Differences in Head Acceleration During Heading While Wearing Soccer Headgear”<br> <br> <br> <br> <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2582549/">https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2582549/</a><br> <br> <br> <br> The study revealed that soccer females wearing headgear had greater head acceleration compared to males who had a slight decrease in head acceleration. This suggests that headgear may not be appropriate for all athletes.<br> <br> <br> <br> Measuring Neck Strength - 10 min<br> <br> <br> <br> “Neck Strength: A Protective Factor Reducing Risk for Concussion in High School Sports”<br> <br> <br> <br> <br> https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s10935-014-0355-2<br> <br> <br> <br> <br> This study showed that “smaller mean neck circumference, smaller mean neck to head circumference ratio, and weaker mean overall neck strength were significantly associated with concussion.”<br> <br> <br> <br> Vestibular balance is also treatable - 15 min<br> <br> <br> <br> BESS/ Sway app / Force plate<br> <br> <br> <br> Balance work = decreased risk of lower body injuries relating to prior concussions<br> <br> <br> <br> Vestibular-ocular - 17 minutes<br> <br> <br> <br> “Does it feel unstable to you?” “Rocky boat” <br> <br> <br> <br> Are they experiencing vertigo?<br> <br> <br> <br> Increased s/s if they were previously experiencing motion sickness<br> <br> <br> <br> Vestibular-ocular issues are a “major source of fatigue, headaches, and cognitive problems<br> <br> <br> <br> Vestibular Ocular Motor Screen (VOMS); <br> <br> <br> <br> smooth pursuits, horizontal and vertical saccades, horizontal vestibulo-ocular reflex, near point convergence, visual motion sensitivity<br> <br> <br> <br> Home exercises; Eply/Brandt-Daroff exercises and gaze stabilization<br> <br> <br> <br> Beginning vestibular therapy at two weeks will greatly impact and help during post concussion recovery<br> <br> <br> <br> Training for professionals in vestibular rehab techniques is available<br> <br> <br> <br> CAUTION! <br> <br> <br> <br>
