Concussions & Head Injuries

Concussion results from a blow or jolt to the head or body that causes the head to move quickly back and forth or for the brain to bounce or twist in the skull from this sudden movement. This results in impaired brain function that can affect your concentration, memory, balance, and coordination.

Falls are the most common cause of concussion; however, the condition us also common during participation in activities like cycling, skiing, and horse-riding, as well as in contact sports such as rugby, AFL, and soccer where they occur through impact with equipment, the ground or other players.

While the majority of concussions resolve within two to four weeks of injury some cases are more serious.

Injuries such as concussion can lead to bleeding in or around the brain which can be fatal, so it is important to monitor any head injuries in the hours afterwards and seek care if symptoms worsen. Concussion also causes chemical changes in the brain, as well as stretching and damage to brain cells which can lead to prolonged recovery.

If not treated correctly concussion can result in long-term complications, known as post-concussion syndrome, including:

• Post-traumatic headaches: Lasting up to a week after a brain injury
• Post-traumatic vertigo: A sense of spinning or dizziness which can last for weeks or months following an injury
• Further injuries/conditions: Returning to activity without sufficient rehabilitation can cause repeat concussions, muscular skeletal injuries and mental health problems
• Long term neurodegeneration: In the long term, if the brain is not allowed to recover from a concussion there is evidence that it can increase the risk of cognitive decline and maybe neurodegenerative diseases, such as Alzheimer’s
• Second impact syndrome: In certain cases, experiencing a second concussion before signs and symptoms of a first concussion have resolved may result in rapid and potentially fatal brain swelling

Contact your GP or the nearest emergency department if you experience:

• Significant nausea or repeated vomiting
• Loss of consciousness lasting longer than 30 seconds
• Weakness or numbness in the arms or legs
• Drowsiness or inability to be awakened
• Inability to recognise people or places
• Slurred speech
• Seizures (shaking or twitching)

If you have a suspected or confirmed concussion it is important to seek diagnosis and treatment from a specialist in the area at your neurocare clinic. A General Practitioner may not have sufficient training or access to accurate testing equipment to provide an accurate diagnosis of the condition.

Make sure you keep track of any symptoms and share them with your treating clinician. Common symptoms include:

Physical symptoms

• Sensitivity to light or noise
• Dizziness or balance problems
• Listlessness and tiring easily
• Headaches
• Nausea or vomiting
• Visual problems (blurry, double vision)

Thinking/Memory

• Attention, memory, or concentration problems
• Feeling slowed down
• Foggy/groggy thinking
• Problems with memory
• Trouble thinking clearly

Social/Emotional

• Anxiety or nervousness
• Irritability and crankiness
• Feeling more emotional
• Sadness or feeling emotional

Sleep

• Sleeping more or less than usual
• Trouble falling asleep

Once you have signed up to the program you will undergo a baseline assessment, this can be arranged independently or organised through a sporting club or school. Testing will evaluate your oculomotor function (that is, your coordinated eye and head movements) and overall brain health, identifying any weaknesses or issues. Your baseline results are used as a benchmark for re-testing in the case of injury and to track your ongoing recovery progress.

In certain cases, baseline testing may identify abnormal oculomotor function. neurocare will flag any deviations or “outliers” from the standard population range, taking into account your age, medical history, and personal circumstances. While this is not the main purpose of baseline testing in concussion management, certain outliers are associated with conditions that can benefit from early intervention and support. Identifying these at an early stage enables pro-active treatment to prevent or reduce long term impacts to your health.

Abnormal oculomotor function can result from a range of issues including ADHD, autism, neurodevelopmental disorders and neurogenerative diseases. neurocare offers a range of clinically proven neuromodulation programs as well as psychology and psychiatry services that can assist with these conditions. If testing uncovers a finding of concern a neurocare clinician will be available to discuss follow up options.

If a confirmed or suspected impact injury occurs, submit an Injury Report Form and make a priority appointment at your closest neurocare clinic. Make sure you rest, physically and mentally for the 24-48 hours following an incident.

During your neurocare appointment your clinician will re-run the oculomotor function test to identify any deviations from the population norm or changes from the original baseline results. They may also recommend additional testing to assist with diagnosis and ongoing tracking of the recovery process. This data is combined with a clinical assessment of your medical history and needs to tailor a customised rehabilitation plan.

You will receive a personalised rehabilitation plan based on best practice and industry protocols. This will outline a stepwise progression of activities to return to normal daily activities. You clinician may also recommend one or more follow-up assessments to track your progress at every step of recovery and revise your rehabilitation plan accordingly.