1. Physical Therapy can address many post-concussion symptoms. Therapists can use various approaches to promote healing and recovery. Treatments may include:
   1. Vestibular rehabilitation to manage dizziness and improve balance
   2. Cervical spine therapy to reduce neck pain and tension
   3. Gaze stabilization exercises for vision issues
   4. Gradual, monitored exercise programs to restore physical activity
   5. Education to decrease the risk of overexertion

Initial Cognitive Rest (48 hours):
Limit physical activity to daily activities (avoid exercise or training) and limit any type of work or school cognitive stress.

• • Minimize elevating heart rate
  • Limit Screen Time
  • Avoid Alcohol
  • Increase Electrolytes, avoid dehydration
  • Avoid sleeping pills, aspirin, NSAIDs
  • Do not drive until cleared
  • No leisure activities that risk additional head injury or make symptoms worse

First, you need to have a professional rule out any red flags, red flags include:

• Neck Pain, tenderness, or inability to move neck through full range of motion
• Seizure or convulsion
• Double vision
• Loss of consciousness
• Weakness or tingling/burning in more than 1 arm or leg
• Deteriorating conscious state
• Vomiting
• Severe or increasing Headache
• Increasingly restless, agitated or combative
• Glasgow Coma Scale <15
• Visible deformity of the skull

If you have any of the above or other symptoms that a concussion specialist can help to diagnose, an ER visit is indicated.

Recovery times vary depending on the severity of the concussion and individual factors. Most people however do recover within 7-10 days. Some may experience post-concussion syndrome, where symptoms persist for weeks, months or even longer. Physical therapy often begins after the acute phase, once symptoms stabilize, and the patient is cleared for interventions.

Exercise is beneficial but must be professionally managed. During the acute phase (first 24-48 hours) rest is recommended. Once symptoms begin to improve, light aerobic exercise, such as walking or stationary biking may be introduced under professional supervision. Here at Symmetry Physical Therapy, our professionals monitor heart rate and symptoms to ensure exercise is safe and beneficial.

1. Vision problems, such as difficulty focusing, double vision, or eye strain are common after concussions. Physical therapy can help address these limitations through:
   1. Gaze stabilization exercises that help the eyes focus on moving objects.
   2. Eye tracking drills that improve the ability to focus objects smoothly
   3. Convergence exercises that are designed to correct problems with focusing on near objects
   4. Collaboration with neuro-optometrists for advanced vision therapy if needed

1. Vestibular rehabilitation focuses on the inner ear and its effect on balance and spatial orientation. Our Physical therapists focus on:
   1. Habituation exercises (to reduce dizziness triggered by motion)
   2. Balance training
   3. Gaze stabilization
   4. Specific head manuevers

While cognitive difficulties are typically addressed by neurologists, physical therapists can assist indirectly by improving symptoms that affect mental performance such as:

1. 1. Vestibular and visual therapy can reduce dizziness and eye strain, making it easier to concentrate
   2. Aerobic exercise has been shown to enhance blood flow to the brain and support cognitive recovery
   3. Structured activity pacing plans to prevent mental fatigue

Delaying or avoiding physical therapy can lead to prolonged symptoms and complications such as:

1. 1. Chronic post-concussion syndrome: symptoms such as headaches, dizziness and fatigue may persist for months or years
   2. Decreased balance and coordination: without vestibular therapy, balance issues may become pronounced and increasing the risk of falls
   3. Muscle tightness and pain: Neck and upper back tension may worsen leading to chronic pain
   4. Deconditioning: Avoiding activity can result in physical deconditioning, making it difficult to return to normal routines

Mental health challenges: Persistent symptoms can contribute to anxiety, depression or feelings of frustration which may complicate recovery

First, you want to eliminate screen time and any type of cognitive task for the first 48 hours. Keep close watch on your symptoms- you want to keep track of things like: Nausea, dizziness, headache, irritability, fatigue etc. If you are symptom free you can GRADUALLY introduce gentle activities, however you want to make sure symptoms stay under a 3/10 intensity. If they start to increase, back off the activity and contact us for further assessment.  It is important to get evaluated by a concussion expert to properly create a treatment plan. 

It is important to get a Buffalo Treadmill Test done by a professional. During the test, we will get objective data based on symptom provocation and your heart rate to determine your body's exercise tolerance. We will use this information to create a training plan based on your heart rate.