back to learning, back to play

. Doctors of Chiropractic with current ACBSP™ DACBSP certificate of additional qualifications in sports medicine are qualified to manage the concussed individual in any patient population.

Assessment / Tests -

SCAT 5 - Sport Concussion Assessment Tool 5 is a standardized sideline concussion screening tool for use by medical professionals.

Pediatric SCAT 5 - Sport Concussion Assessment Tool 5 is a standardized sideline concussion screening tool for use by medical professionals for children.

Balance and vestibular tests - are used to detect a variety of symptoms relating to the integration of balance, vision, and proprioception.

Base Line - assessments of balance, vision, memory, attention, and more that measure how the brain functions prior to a head injury. These tests are compared to post-injury scores following a concussion.

Imaging - different technologies used to give clinicians visual representations of the brain, neck and spine.

The King-Devick test - is a tool used in concussion baseline and post injury sideline assessment.

Neuro-Optometric Assessments - measure aspects of vision relating to the brain and visual system.

Neurological Exam - an assessment of nervous system functioning, including tests of movement and sensation.

Neuropsychological - a comprehensive way of measuring all aspects of cognition and thinking including attention, processing speed, language, memory, and reasoning.

Occupational therapy assessments - are used by occupational therapists to measure brain function and subjective reports of difficulties with occupation and daily roles.

Sideline Assessments - A variety of tests used by healthcare professionals to assess athletes for concussion or other injury at the sidelines.

Education & Resources - 

If any of your symptoms worsen rapidly over a short period of time, seek emergency medical attention.

This content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Please consult your physician.

Balance (Vestibular)

• Balance problems
• Changes in gait
• Changes in physical coordination
• Clumsiness
• Dizziness
• Feeling "not right" or "off"
• Headache
• Lightheadedness
• Loss of balance and unsteady walking
• Nausea
• Problems walking
• Recurrent dizziness
• Sensation of moving while still
• Spinning room
• Stumbling
• Tinnitis or "ringing in the ears"
• Vertigo

Cognitive

• Amnesia before or after the traumatic event
• Answers questions slowly
• Appearing dazed
• Changes in behavior
• Concentration and memory complaints
• Confusion
• Decreased attention
• Delayed response to questions
• Diffculty thinking clearly
• Difficulty concentrating
• Difficulty remembering
• Difficulty remembering new information
• Disorders of taste and smell
• Feeling as if in a fog
• Feeling slowed down
• Foggy
• Forgetful of recent information or conversation
• Headache while reading
• Memory problems
• Not thinking clearly
• Repeats questions
• Sensitivity to noise
• Slowed reaction times
• Stuttering

Emotion

• Anxiety
• Crankiness
• Crying excessively
• Depression
• Easily upset or angry
• Feeling anxious
• Feeling more emotional
• Feeling sad
• Involuntary crying
• Irritability
• Lack of interest in favorite activities
• Listlessness / tiring easily
• Mood changes
• Nervousness
• Personality changes
• Psychological adjustment problems
• Sadness
• Uncontrollable crying
• Uncontrollable laughing

Neck & Spine

• Feeling of pressure in the head
• Migraines
• Mild headache
• Moderate headache
• Neck pain
• Numbness
• Tingling

Vision

• Abnormal eye movement
• Blurry vision
• Changes in vision
• Double vision
• Eye strain or feeling of pressure behind the eyes
• Fuzzy vision
• Seeing stars
• Sensitivity to light
• Visual problems

Sleep

• Change in eating or sleeping patterns
• Drowsiness
• Fatigue
• Feeling tired
• Having low or no energy
• Insomnia
• Lack of energy
• Sleep disturbances
• Sleeping less than usual
• Sleeping more than usual
• Sluggish
• Trouble falling asleep
• Trouble staying asleep

Danger Signs

• A headache that gets worse over time
• Changes in speech
• Coma
• Difficulty recognizing people or places
• Disorientation
• Draining of blood or clear fluid from the ears or nose
• Inability to wake up
• Lasting confusion
• Loss of consciousness
• Pupils that are bigger than normal (dilated pupils)
• Repeated vomiting
• Seizures
• Severe headache
• Slurred speech
• Symptoms that worsen over time
• Unequal pupil size (one pupil is larger than the other)
• Vision or eye disturbances
• Vomiting
• Weak muscles
• Pediatric
• Changes in napping
• Lack of interest in favorite toys
• Large head bumps or bruises on areas other than the forehead

Treatment -

Cognitive rehabilitation - is a form of occupational therapy designed to improve function and return patients to daily activities.

Cerebral Spinal Fluid Flow - Sacral Occipital Respiratory Mechanism and Spinal Righting Reflexes are used to evaluate and restore optimal cerebral spinal fluid flow to support rapid healing of the Central nervous system.

Graduated Return-to-Play Protocol - athletes move through a graded progression of increased activity while monitoring symptoms under close supervision.

Vestibular therapy -  is a specific type of therapy that uses targeted exercises to help decrease dizziness, imbalance, and vertigo, which can occur with vestibular dysfunction.

Vision therapy -  is a form of therapy used on the eyes and brain that is designed to resolve vision problems.

Neuro-Organizational Technique - supports brain-integration, sensory processing.

Total Body Modification - restores function of self-regeneration inherent to the human body.

Injury Prevention Service Volunteer- 

Injury prevention services - are available for schools, youth leagues, and tournaments

Baseline Testing - assessments of balance, vision, memory, attention, and more that measure how the brain functions prior to a head injury. These tests are compared to post-injury scores following a concussion.

Education & Lectures - educational seminars are available to schools, organizations, and leagues at no cost. Presentations include the most up-to-date information on concussion signs and symptoms, assessment, treatment, research, and state laws.

Research - our research program focuses on the development of collaborative treatment modalities and novel interventions for those affected by concussion.