Home Care for Concussions and Head Injuries

Virtual PT NYC
10/20/2020

Concussions can be a frustrating injury, as they affect your mind and cognitive abilities as opposed to the rest of your body. They are also incredibly common, with almost 4 million concussions occurring every year only in recreational activities and sports. Over half of these concussions go unreported, and without proper treatment, you risk a more severe injury. Concussions also occur very frequently outside of the sports world, most often as a result of falls or motor vehicle accidents. If you or someone you love has sustained a concussion or traumatic brain injury and is seeking virtual physical therapy Staten Island, look no further than Virtual PT NYC. Our skilled team of therapists can give you the proper guidance you need to recover from your concussion as quickly as possible and get back to doing the things you love. 


What is a Concussion?

Before discussing how physical therapy can help with a concussion, it is important to understand what exactly a concussion is. A concussion is a mild form of traumatic brain injury caused by a bump or blow to the head that causes the brain to smash against the skull, disrupting normal brain function. There are several telltale signs that someone has suffered a concussion. These symptoms include but are not limited to:


  • Nausea and vomiting
  • Headache
  • Ringing in the ears
  • Fatigue/drowsiness
  • Blurry vision
  • Confusion or “fogginess”
  • Amnesia surrounding the traumatic event
  • Dizziness or “seeing stars”
  • Appearing dazed
  • Slurred speech
  • Sensitivity to light
  • Sleep disturbances
  • Irritability and mood swings


How are Concussions Diagnosed?

As an “invisible injury,” it can be hard at times to determine if you have a concussion. Many people will just try to “tough it out” or may just think they “had their bell rung,” especially athletes who don’t want to miss time. A concussion is typically diagnosed upon examination by a doctor, including both physical and cognitive tests. The physical tests will assess your balance, strength, vision, hearing, and reflexes while the cognitive tests will gauge your memory, concentration, and ability to recall information. A CT scan or MRI can also be performed to determine if there is internal bleeding in the event of a severe injury. Many people may need to stay overnight in the hospital for observation and to ensure your symptoms aren’t worsening. Our expert virtual physical therapy Staten Island is here to help you recover from your head injury.


Importance of Physical Therapy for Concussions

Although many people don’t realize it, physical therapy can be tremendously useful for dealing with concussions and mitigating their symptoms. Research suggests that physical therapy can be beneficial for dealing with concussion symptoms as early as a few days after the injury is sustained, especially for athletes. Concussion physical therapy can help to improve your balance and coordination, dizziness, and back pain. The following are some of the ways that virtual physical therapy Staten Island can help deal with concussions. 


Neck Rehab- Any injury that affects the head tends to affect the neck. In an effort to protect the head, the neck often tenses up right before an impact. This can lead to neck pain and decreased mobility. 


Balance/Dizziness Rehab- Many people who suffer from concussions tend to have balance issues persist after their other symptoms have dissipated. This can be especially frustrating for athletes who are trying to get back to their sport as quickly as possible. 


Eye Tracking/Vision Rehab- Concussions often affect your vision and many people struggle with complex moving physical targets and depth perception. Many eye exercises can help get your vision back to normal, one being pencil push-ups. 


Reducing Risk of Lower Extremity Injury- Studies have found that suffering a concussion can increase the chances that you sustain a lower-body injury in the future. This is likely a result of the brain and central nervous system not working 100% properly long after the concussion, making your chances of reinjury more likely. Physical therapy can help get your body working to its full capabilities as quickly as possible, decreasing your chances of getting hurt again. 


Seeking Virtual Physical Therapy Staten Island?

If you or someone you know has sustained a concussion and is seeking virtual physical therapy Staten Island, Virtual PT NYC would be glad to help. Numerous studies have shown that physical therapy yields tremendous benefits in recovering from concussions. In fact, those who undergo early physical therapy return to play 10.5 days sooner than their counterparts who don’t receive physical therapy. If you are an athlete looking to get back on the field as soon as possible or just someone just trying to get back to your favorite hobbies, contact us today for the best virtual physical therapy on the market!


Virtual PT NYC

If you have sustained a concussion and are seeking virtual physical therapy Staten Island, contact Virtual PT NYC.