Concussion Baseline Assessment
Concussions result in over two and half million ER visits each year. With growing awareness and concerns over concussions, evolution in research is at its peak. NeuroLogic Chiropractic Center has created one of the most comprehensive evidence based concussion baseline assessments!
Why is a Baseline Concussion Assessment Important?
How do you know if you or your child has fully recovered from a concussion? What if your child has been cleared to play, but is still experiencing symptoms &/or their grades are slipping? On average, 20% of concussions can result in post concussion syndrome (PCS). This means, the patients symptoms have not fully resolved weeks or months after the injury. The question is, how do we know which areas of the brain were injured? Majority of patients with PCS have no physical findings on MRI or CT scans. In addition to no physical findings, there is no prior analysis to compare. In order to know when it is safe to return to play or which areas/pathways of the brain have been injured, a baseline is the key! Unfortunately, many of the current school provided test are vague, subjective or only cognitively based.
NeuroLogic Chiropractic Center has created one of the most comprehensive evidence based Concussion Assessments. Our baseline assessment utilizes years of seminars, research and working with post concussion patients. The majority of current baseline assessments only evaluate cognitive aspects, but concussions often result in much more than just cognitive symptoms. The three most common areas of a persons nervous system affected are autonomics, eye function and balance. We have the ability to provide numerical and statistical data for the brains function related to a patients cognition, autonomics, eye function and balance.
In order to know if a player is safe to return to play, a repeated assessment can compare pre and post concussion markers to reveal if they have fully recovered. Many players and patients may think they are ready to return to play, but post assessment markers may reveal otherwise. It’s imperative an athlete returns to their prior state. Research has revealed players are at greater risk for another concussion or sport injury if they have not recovered from the initial concussion.
If a post concussion assessment reveals a players results have not returned to pre concussion status, the baseline data is critical for rehabilitative care. The results obtained from the assessment allow the doctor to know which areas of the brain have been affected.
NeuroLogic Concussion Baseline Exam
Our assessment includes a doctors evaluation of history, vitals, neurologic evaluation and a host of tests to provided quantitative data on current function.
History
The doctor will discuss and document past injuries and complaints.
NeuroLogic Evaluation
The doctor will perfrom a host of test to evaluate the current integrety of various parts of the brain
RightEye
RightEye computer and software is the latest FDA approved device in tracking eye movments related to concussions.
Impact Testing
A gold standard in cognitive testing related to concussion.
Vitals (Autonomics)
Heart Rate, Blood pressure, % of oxygen and respritory rate.
Gait & Posture Analysis
Evaluation of current posture and gait are recorded.
Posturography / Balance
HUMAC software with a balance plate will recorder and assess ones balance.
BrainEQ
An mobile evaluation of cognitive ability, reaction time and balance.
Learn about our cutting edge FDA approved eye tracking software for concussion care and rehabilitation.
BrainEQ
Learn more about one of the leading edge cognitive concussion assessment applications. BrainEQ has recently become the main testing for NHL players!
F.A.Q.s
With increasing awareness and research following concussions, there are many unanswered questions.
Why do we want such a detailed baseline analysis?
When a person gets a concussion, areas of the brain become hurt or damaged. The brain is the most complex and dynamic organs of the brain. Due to its complexity, the more markers we have for each area of the brain, the better chance we have a rehabbing it. With greater detail in testing, the better chance you have at localizing areas of the brain to rehabilitate. This also aids in knowing if an athletes eyes have returned to their pre concussion state for clearance to return to play.
Why are the eyes so important?
Eye function involves multiple areas of the brain and each eye movement can relate to a specific region. Issues with eye movements after a concussion have been widely researched and provide a host of information. With eye tracking software, we can grade pre and post concussion function of the eyes and associated brain areas. It is a major marker and tool in recovery from post concussive symptoms.
What are autonomics and why are they so important?
When the autonomic nervous system isn’t working right, it can have affects on heart rate, blood pressure regulation, respritory control, digestion and much more. Alteration in autonomics can be debilitating at times and life altering. If one cannot regulate their blood pressure, they may have issue going from seated to standing, resulting in light headed and dizziness. When a person exerts themselves (lifting, running, walking) and the autonomic can’t keep up, they may feel nausea, headaches, dizziness, light headed and more.
Why is balance so important?
Balance is an integral aspect for a person to navigate the world we live in. If the balance system is affected, just the ability to get up from a chair or walk can become compromised. If issues with balance are unresolved players are not only at risk for falls, but getting injured during play or even worse receiving another concussion. Additionally, balance issues can result in dizziness, nausea and difficulty with walking or running.
How do you fix post concussion syndrome?
Research has revealed that a multimodal approach is the new gold standard in post concussion recovery. This means utilizing a single method (I.e. only performing vestibular therapy) will provide sub par results. A multimodal approach require pooling techniques from various modalities to rehab the entire nervous system. Depending on the areas affected, care may involve vestibular therapy, eye exercises, neurocogntive task and more. All of our office rehab for post concussive issues are uniquely catered to each individuals needs.
Set up a Baseline Assessment Today!
Email Us
FrontDesk@NLCC.com
Call Us
(248) 892-7246
Office
29680 Wixom Rd. Wixom, MI 48393