Concussion Physical Therapy in San Diego
Jump start your recovery with the most up-to-date evidence based methods
What is Concussion Physical Therapy?
A concussion is a mild traumatic brain injury that occurs after someone sustains a head injury, resulting in brain tissue damage and a chemical imbalance within the brain. Although concussion is defined as a mild traumatic injury, it is still extremely serious. Concussion is only mild in comparison to more severe brain injuries that involve people experiencing comatose.
Common causes of concussion include falls, motor vehicle accidents, and sports injury. When symptoms persist beyond weeks or months, the term used is post-concussion syndrome. Concussion physical therapy refers to a specialized active rehabilitation process to alleviate symptoms, restore balance, cognitive function, and coordination. It involves a mix of exercises aimed at addressing dizziness, imbalance, coordinating eye movements, as well as patient counseling.
Current best practices for concussion physical therapy are rapidly evolving. Many people do not realize that early rehabilitation intervention is now the gold standard for treatment for concussion. Cocooning, the standard practice of isolating oneself in a dark room for days on end, has been shown to actually delay recovery as compared to an active rehabilitative process. Ideally, those who sustain a concussion will begin physical therapy as soon as 3 days after their initial injury. Unfortunately, the latest concussion treatment protocols are not well known, even by the healthcare community. At Pang Physical Therapy, I am committed to providing the most up-to-date methods and early intervention through concussion physical therapy in San Diego to ensure optimal recovery, so you can confidently return to your daily activities.
Addressing Post-Concussion Syndrome for Long-Term Relief
If you’re experiencing symptoms that persist long after the initial injury, it could be post-concussion syndrome. I provide specialized post concussion treatment that focuses on resolving persistent issues like brain fog, dizziness, and difficulty concentrating. Our goal is to help you regain control of your life through a comprehensive therapy plan that includes both physical rehabilitation and concussion counselling to address emotional challenges during recovery.
Common Symptoms of Concussion
- Headache
- Dizziness
- Nausea/vomiting
- Fatigue
- Difficulty sleeping
- Poor Balance
- Brain Fog
- Difficulty Concentrating
- Irritability
- Anxiety/Depression
- Double Vision
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Treatment Protocols
Concussions are like snowflakes. No two are ever alike. Generally speaking there are six clinical trajectories to classify concussion. Patient’s often present with a mixture of symptoms from all categories but frequently exhibit one or two dominant subtypes. But again, concussion is highly variable and all treatments and exercises should be curtailed to the individual.
Cervical subtypes of concussion involve neck pain and associated headaches. The force of impact with concussion is often times sufficient to also cause a neck injury. Symptoms of the cervical subtype can include headache, dizziness, neck stiffness, ear ringing, and fatigue.
Treatment will involve restoring normal neck motion through strengthening, manual therapy, stretching, and improving neck coordination.
Click here to learn more about how physical therapy helps with neck pain.
Oculomotor refers to eye movements. People falling into this category often have difficulty with visual tasks such as reading, screen time, double vision or walking in busy environments.
Treatment will largely consist of eye exercises and gradual exposure to aggravating tasks to progress tolerance.
Vestibular refers to your sense of balance, often times related to the balance structures within the inner ear. People falling into this category often display poor balance, difficulty walking in busy environments, dizziness, and nausea.
Treatment will involve exercises to coordinate eye and head movements, improve upon balance, and restore equilibrium. Click here to learn more about how physical therapy can help with dizziness.
Those following this trajectory will start to display migrainous symptoms such as sensitivity to light or sound, headache, dizziness, nausea, and sleep disturbance.
Treatment will involve optimizing sleep habits, addressing any neck tightness, and often times vision and vestibular therapy. Click here to learn more about how physical therapy helps with migraine headaches.
The cognitive trajectory results in difficulty with mental tasks. Symptoms often get worse as the day goes on and can include decreased concentration, irritability, and memory deficits.
Treatment will involve the development of an effective return to prior activity plan. Whether it be school, work, or sports related.
People following this trajectory experience extreme worry and an inability to turn off negative thoughts. The important thing to remember is that concussion is a highly recoverable injury.
Treatment will include exercise to normalize brain chemical imbalances and often times a referral to a mental health provider.
References:
- The Effectiveness of Physical Therapy Interventions for Athletes Post-Concussion: A Systematic Review
- Consensus statement on concussion in sport: the 6th International Conference on Concussion in Sport–Amsterdam, October 2022
- Physical Activity and Intermittent Postconcussion Symptoms After a Period of Symptom-Limited Physical and Cognitive Rest
Frequently Asked Questions
What is concussion therapy and how can it help with recovery?
Concussion physical therapy involves a combination of physical rehabilitation and targeted exercises designed to restore balance, reduce dizziness, and improve cognitive function after a concussion. I will personalize your therapy plan to accelerate recovery and minimize long-term symptoms.
What is post-concussion syndrome, and how is it treated?
Post-concussion syndrome occurs when symptoms like headaches, dizziness, and brain fog persist for weeks or months after the initial injury. Post concussion syndrome therapy targets both physical and cognitive symptoms through a combination of manual therapy, vestibular exercises, and patient counseling.
How soon should I begin treatment for a concussion?
The best approach is to begin concussion treatment within 3 days of the injury. Early intervention with concussion treatment techniques, including vestibular therapy and balance exercises, helps speed up recovery and prevent long-term complications.
What are the most common symptoms treated with concussion physical therapy?
Common symptoms include headaches, dizziness, difficulty concentrating, and neck pain. Concussion therapy addresses these issues by improving coordination, balance, and cognitive function, helping patients return to normal activities more quickly.
What can I expect from concussion physical therapy in San Diego?
Concussion physical therapy in San Diego focuses on helping patients recover from the symptoms of a concussion through personalized treatment plans. A certified physical therapist like Dr. Jimmy Pang will assess your balance, vision, coordination, and cognitive function to tailor a program that supports your recovery.
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