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Medical

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Primary Care Physicians

Primary care physicians are typically trained to provide comprehensive healthcare for a wide range of medical conditions, including routine check-ups, minor illnesses, chronic diseases, and preventive care. While they have a broad understanding of various medical issues, concussions, which are a type of traumatic brain injury, require a specialized approach due to their unique nature, potential complications, and importance of being up-to-date with current evidence-based protocols.

 

While primary care physicians may not initially specialize in treating concussions, they can acquire the necessary knowledge and skills through additional training. This training is offered by First Care Concussion Diagnostic Clinic and includes understanding concussion symptoms, recognizing red flags for severe cases, conducting appropriate neurological evaluations, and staying up-to-date with the latest research and guidelines on concussion management.

PCPs are often too busy to actually treat concussions, and often refer to our team of concussion-trained HCP specialists.

Chiropractors

Chiropractic care plays a significant role in the treatment of neuromusculoskeletal injuries and, with proper training through First Care Concussion Diagnostic Clinic, can provide invaluable contributions to the management of concussions. Here is a brief explanation of the importance of chiropractic care in these contexts:
 

  1. Neuromusculoskeletal Expertise: Chiropractors are healthcare professionals who specialize in diagnosing and treating neuromusculoskeletal conditions. They have extensive training in the neuromusculoskeletal system, including the spine, joints, muscles, and nerves. This expertise makes them well-equipped to assess, treat, and manage a wide range of injuries and conditions related to these systems.

  2. Conservative Approach: Chiropractors typically take a conservative approach to patient care, considering not only the immediate injury but also the patient's overall health and well-being. This approach may work very well with concussion management.

  3. Role in Concussion Management: Chiropractors, with proper training, can play an important role in concussion management. Some important contributions include:

    • Initial Point of Contact

    • Mechanism of Injury

    • Symptom Management

    • Neurologic Evaluation

    • Sub-Symptom Threshold Assessment / Rehab

    • Vestibular Assessment / Rehab

    • Oculomotor Assessment / Rehab

    • Cervicogenic Assessment / Rehab

    • Balance Testing / Rehab

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Physical Therapy Session

Physical Therapists

Physical therapists, with proper training, can also play a valuable role in the treatment and management of concussions. While PCPs, concussion-trained chiropractors, and neurologists, often oversee the medical aspects of concussion care, physical therapists can contribute to the rehabilitation and recovery process.

  1. Symptom Management: Physical therapists can help manage and alleviate specific concussion-related symptoms, such as headaches, dizziness, and neck pain, through various therapeutic techniques. They employ manual therapy, soft tissue mobilization, and modalities like ice or heat to provide relief and improve comfort.

  2. Vestibular Rehabilitation: Concussions often lead to vestibular system dysfunction, which can cause dizziness and balance problems. Physical therapists who specialize in vestibular rehabilitation can provide targeted exercises and interventions to address these issues and improve balance and stability.

  3. Cervical Spine Assessment and Treatment: Concussion-related symptoms may include neck pain and stiffness. Physical therapists can assess and treat cervical spine dysfunction, which can contribute to these symptoms. They use gentle manual techniques to improve cervical range of motion and reduce discomfort.

  4. Return to Play and Activity: Physical therapists work closely with athletes and patients who want to return to their previous levels of physical activity, including sports. They design tailored exercise programs to help individuals safely and gradually progress back to their pre-injury levels while monitoring their symptoms and progress.

  5. Education and Symptom Management Strategies: Physical therapists educate patients on concussion-related symptoms, warning signs, and strategies for managing these symptoms in daily life. This includes advising on activity modification, relaxation techniques, and energy conservation strategies to help patients cope with post-concussion challenges.

  6. Rehabilitation and Recovery Planning: Physical therapists who are trained via First Care Concussion Diagnostic Clinic have advanced evidence-based strategies for the treatment of concussions.

First Care Concussion Training

To sign up for first care training, go to the learning login at the top of the website.

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