What should I do if I suspect a concussion?
1. It is important you rest your body and mind.
a. Physically. Don’t play sports or get your heart rate up until medically cleared. Don’t do anything that could lead to another head injury.
b. Mentally. Limit activities that demand attention, concentration and visual effort (e.g., study, electronic devices, driving, etc.) until medically cleared.
c. Energy. Limit activities that decrease restfulness (e.g., busy places, loud music, stimulating conversation, stressful situations, sexual activity).
2. See a doctor for appropriate diagnosis and management.
- No two people are the same and similarly, no two concussions are the same.
- Every patient has a unique baseline constitution, a unique mechanism of injury and unique functional impairments after an injury.
- A custom-made treatment program for each patient is imperative.
- It is well known that a step-wise approach back to activity is necessary.
Appropriate, thorough assessments judiciously coupled with suitable activity modification and active therapy where necessary is the most effective and safest way of getting you to the next step.
<— What are the symptoms of a concussion?