Post Concussion Syndrome/mTBI
Overview
According to the CDC, in 2014 about 2.8 million concussion/TBI visits were reported with over 837,000 being children. Falls are one of the leading causes, followed by being struck by an object, motor vehicle accident and sports related incidents. The majority of studies report 60-80% individuals symptoms resolve over time, leaving 20-40% having post concussive symptoms. There are a vast array of post concussive symptoms, the main areas involved are vestibular/balance issues, ocular/eye dysfunction &/or autonomic dysfunction. Symptoms often reported include; headaches, migraines, head pressure, fatigue, brain fog, feeling in a haze, nausea/vomiting, balance issues, dizziness, blurred/double vision, light sensitivity, sound sensitivity, confusion, concentration issues, memory problems, depression, anxiety, light headedness, chronic pain and more! Due to such a vast array of issues, traditional medicine or signal modalities often provide minimal improvements. Due to the ever growing awareness of concussion care, scientific research has been at is peak exploring the depths of concussion consequences. The majority of research has uncovered that concussions result in altering timing/firing/synchronization in various areas of the brain. Thus individualized, multimodal care is a must in recovery from post concussion syndrome.
NeuroLogic Approach
Post concussion syndrome is a dynamic and complex condition to treat. It is one of the main focuses of our office. In order to localize dysfunctional areas with in a patients nervous system, an in depth exam is performed. A detailed history is a key ingredient to care. Often times, the history alone will reveal dysfunctional areas within the nervous system, which will then be cross correlated with physical exam. The physical exam includes neurologic and autonomic testing. Each patient will receive a RightEye test (latest FDA approved eye tracking) and a dynamic posturography. This exam has often been reported by patients as the most comprehensive exam performed, even after seeing 10-15 other providers.
The Solution
Utilizing the result provided in the initial exam, the doctor is able to localize dysfunctional pathways, areas of the brain and various nervous system issues. The localized areas are rehabbed with evidenced based methods to activate the dysfunctional areas. With repetitive activation of theses areas neuroplastic change can occur, often improving or eliminating the associated symptoms. Each individual is provided with a plan provided for them specifically. Depending on the severity and complexity of the issues, patient may be seen multiple times a day, daily or weekly. This result in a recovery that may take days, weeks, months or even years in some cases.