Deciding when an athlete has fully recovered from a concussion or concussions and can safely return to play is a difficult challenge… resuming activity before full recovery can dangerously exacerbate a head injury and/or result in an orthopedic injury. Using the state-of-the-art Biodex Balance System we can create a concussion management program that begins with objective neuro-physical baseline testing. This testing will provide a simple clinical guideline for sideline assessments of athletes and follow-up evaluations will provide insight to the question, “Can this athlete return to play?”
The decision to return an athlete to play following a sports-related brain injury is complex and requires the analysis of several sources of data. The decision can be determined by a chiropractor. Chiropractors receive extensive training in the recognition of concussion due to the high incidence of this injury amongst chiropractic patients. This is particularly true in those chiropractors who have received post graduate certificates in sports medicine and like Dr. Ihsan Erhuy, or have received post-graduate courses in neurology, like Dr. Niall McNally, who is a Certified Chiropractic Neurologist. At Mountain View Pain Center we can determine baseline and post-injury neuropsychological assessments with the help of the Biodex Balance System to help determine if a concussion was present. With a complex knowledge of the body, sports injuries, and neurology, our Doctors posses the training and skill sets necessary to provide the unique expertise in the assessment of cognitive functioning and post-injury neurocognitive and psychological assessment.
An often overlooked component of concussion treatment is the neck injuries that frequently accompany the concussion. Neck injury symptoms can be very similar to concussion symptoms and can be impossible to differentiate without the expert help of a doctor. Untreated conditions of the cervical spine will often linger in the same fashion as concussions.
The most important thing to remember about concussions is that early diagnosis is critical. If you have suffered a neck or head injury, consult with a medical professional as soon as possible. Do not participate in sports or other vigorous activity until you do so. Chiropractic physicians are well trained in concussion diagnosis and should be involved in treating neck injuries that frequently accompany concussions. Delaying treatment of neck symptoms until the concussion resolves is not advisable and may impede recovery.
Call one of our eight chiropractic offices today to book an assessment for you or an athlete you know before it is too late.