THINK OUTSIDE THE REST: ACTIVE STRATEGIES FOR CONCUSSION HEALING

Abstract

Concussions, or mild traumatic brain injuries, are a serious health concern that can happen anywhere to anyone. Yet, concussions go vastly unreported because many people are unaware of the signs, risks, and therapy options available. A concussion can occur when blunt non-penetrating head trauma induces biomechanical force on the brain resulting in microstructural damage. Concussive brain injuries can result in a wide variety of symptoms and impairments that indicate dysfunction of specific neural and associated structures. Previously, rest was believed to be the best treatment option available but new research is demonstrating a brief 24-48-hour rest period followed by sub-symptom threshold exercise and active therapies to be more beneficial than strictly resting. For certain symptoms that indicate vestibular, oculomotor, or cervical dysfunction, focused therapy options that stress these systems can be beneficial and are now being incorporated into treatment. A key component however is the prompt diagnosis and treatment post-injury, reinforcing the need for awareness. Benefiting from a comprehensive literature review, hands-on experience as an intern and interviews with various health care providers, the goal of this thesis is to raise awareness of the impact of concussions and promote concussion education by reviewing the symptoms, risks, diagnosis process, and active therapy options that can improve recovery.