Concussion Testing/Vestibular Therapy

A concussion is the most common type of traumatic brain injury, and happens frequently after car accidents or other personal injury cases. Each concussion is unique to the individual and can present with different symptoms and different length of recovery needed.

A concussion happens when high velocity movements cause your brain to be jarred back and forth inside your skull. Keep in mind that you do not have to hit your head to have a concussion. The forces applied to the start and stop motions cause inflammation in certain parts of your brain that then trigger concussion symptoms.

One of the ways that doctors can evaluate the severity of a concussion is through computer based testing ImPACT testing. It can assess reaction times, processing speeds, various kinds of memory and processing, as well as document symptoms of dizziness, nausea, fatigue, irritability, and many more. These outcomes can be compared to normative data to give an idea of the extent of brain injury and track outcomes over time.

ImpACT Testing is not a tool for diagnosis of concussion, but rather a way to obtain objective data and track measurable progress in recovery. Your physical therapist can then determine where your biggest limitations are in cognitive function as it applies to your rehabilitation plan.

Our physical therapy team in Fort Worth, TX can use this objective data along with a detailed physical exam and vestibular testing to come up with a game plan to ease your symptoms and get you back to being able to concentrate and function normally.

Common symptoms that go along with concussion that can be treated with physical therapy are:

Many of these symptoms need to be treated and examined with an entire medical team including a neurologist. If you have not been established with one we can help you quickly get in touch with the right providers. We will also keep in constant communication with them about your progress and symptoms as you attend each physical therapy session. In some cases other imaging is required to assist in the diagnosis and treatment of concussions. MRI’s or CT scans can provide more detailed views of the brain. Coordination between your entire medical team is important in your recovery and rehabilitation.

Symptoms of Concussion to Watch For:

Patients with concussion often have vestibular issues that linger for many weeks or months and can be triggered by various positions, fatigue, and other triggers. A trained vestibular physical therapist can assist with regaining normal function for these patients through the use of specific exercises, manual therapies for the neck, activities that challenge the body and brain for balance, and assessment/training of ocular (eye) reflexes.

It is important to evaluate and treat a concussion quickly after it occurs. If you or a loved one has been in an accident and are experiencing any of these symptoms, please don’t hesitate to call our physical therapists in Fort Worth, TX so we can help you get answers and get on the road to recovery.