Over the last 20 years, recommendations for how to heal from a concussion have changed enormously. 20 years ago, when someone had a concussion, we used to recommend what is called “cocoon therapy”. Basically, it was recommended to stay in bed, in the dark, until you felt better. But, what happened if you never felt better? Or if lying in...
HERE’S HOW TO TELL, AND WHAT TO DO NEXT March is Brain Injury Awareness Month, and there is no better way to mark the occasion than by helping to share knowledge about concussions, how they can happen, and how to recognize if you have one. What is a concussion? According to the Concussion in Sport Consensus Guidelines, concussion: may be caused either by a...
Persistent post-concussion symptoms - Where do they come from? By Sarah El Queisi, physiotherapist What is post-concussion syndrome? Most people who are unlucky enough to have a concussion will improve quickly, usually within 2-4 weeks. For about 20% of people who sustain concussions, recovery can be much longer. WHY IS IT TAKING SO LONG TO GET BETTER? Questions we hear regularly in the...
Physiotherapy For Cervicogenic Headache By Sarah El Queisi, MSc(A)PT, FCAMPT, physiotherapist There are many different types of headaches that exist, each with its own causes and symptoms. Cervicogenic headaches are caused by a dysfunction in the muscles, joints or nerves in the upper cervical spine. Symptoms include pain on one side of the head, tenderness in the upper part of the neck,...
Many rehabilitation clinics and professionals have been jumping on the concussion rehab bandwagon in recent years, without necessarily offering services that truly help patients. To help patients navigate through the various competent and *ahem* less competent concussion care providers out there, the Canadian Concussion Collaborative published a guide for patients to help them navigate rehab offerings, you can find it here:...