You’ve had a concussion. Now what do you do?
After seeking medical attention whether it be from your sports trainer, club physiotherapist or doctor, my main recommendation is to book in for an initial consult for a specialist osteopathic assessment.
Our approach ensures that a thorough level of testing is performed as well as incorporating hands on therapy + individualised exercise and rehabilitation techniques to help reduce your symptom severity and duration instead of just taking the old and out-dated treatment philosophy of ‘rest is best’.
I work directly with local sports doctors who can provide medical clearance which some sports require (such as AFL and Rugby league). I aim to work directly communicating with these medical professionals to provide them information on the thorough testing we conduct at our clinic.
We also encourage you to access the Complete Concussions Instagram + Website Blog for educational resources to better understand concussion
My 3 major recommendations in the initial weeks of concussion are
1. Sleep hygiene + balance the autonomic nervous system:
Ensure you are giving your body the ability to gain quality rest at night. Avoid the use of electronic devices within 90 minutes before bed. Sleep is one of the main naturally occurring processes of our body that helps the healing process post-concussion. Meditation and specific breathing exercises can help reduce symptoms by balancing the overactive sympathetic nervous system tone that arises with concussion.
2. Diet:
Research shows that you can help reduce the severity of your concussion symptoms by decreasing your overall caloric intake by 30%, avoiding all refined sugars and carbohydrate foods, opt for foods that are high in good fats and eat a variety of fruit and vegetables. Magnesium, fish oil and curcumin are some of many supplements that can help reduce your symptoms.
3. See a trained professional for testing, education and reassurance:
The recent Consensus Statement on Concussion In Sport advised one of the main factors that positively helps concussion patients have better long term outcomes and reduce risk of prolonged symptoms is immediate, adequate specialist treatment.
It’s not only important to see someone as soon as possible after your concussion injury but to ensure you are assessed by someone who properly understands up-to date concussion management guidelines.