Specialization
Concussion andpcs
Concussion
Unique guidance and treatment for concussions (PCS)
Do you have symptoms that persist after a through concussion? The official name for this is Post Concussion Syndrome.
What might these complaints consist of? Do you recognize 1 or more of these?
- headache
- dizziness and/or balance problems
- fatigue
- visual complaints
- sleep disorders (too much need for sleep or just too little or restless sleep)
- cognitive complaints:
– memory problems
– attention problems
– difficulty with multitasking
– concentration problems
– word-finding problems - disorder in “auditory integration” : difficulty in processing sound stimuli
- gloom/anxiety/relapse of trauma/concern about slow recovery
- digestive complaints
- reduced stress tolerance
- impaired exercise tolerance (both mentally and physically)
- disturbed cooperation between the various senses
- disturbed balance between load and load capacity
Concussion
Myths about PCS
There are many misconceptions about the effects of a concussion. Both with patients but certainly also with the various practitioners! This often leads to conflicting advice, many not based on the latest science, which is why we see many patients confused.
FysioMCN and the team of therapists want to get you back to your old level as soon as possible with the right advice and treatment.
Just a few myths that are persistently circulating:
After a concussion, it is necessary to rest for 6 weeks. This is an old-fashioned position that should no longer be followed. Current understanding shows that a rest period of 24 to 48 is more than sufficient after which there is a need to build up in physical and cognitive activities. In fact, research shows that the group of people who did not follow this advice from the treating physician recovered faster than those who did.
Complaints after 6 weeks are still normal and part of the experience. No, in most cases the symptoms of a concussion have recovered 10 days after the trauma. If the symptoms are present for more than 10 days, it should be approached as post concussive syndrome (pcs) about which there is another informational video (click here).
My brain slammed against my skull. No, this is not possible if it is a concussion. This is another old-fashioned thought. The brain is so flexible and lies in a kind of jelly-like substance that keeps the brain from hitting the wall of the skull. What does happen can be seen in the video what is a concussion.
Wait-and-see policy is the right policy. No! The most important factor predicting faster recovery is how quickly you end up with a healthcare professional trained in concussions. It is best to see a trained healthcare professional within 7 days of concussion. A trained professional will push for proper construction and not adopt a wait-and-see policy.
Last but not least, my brain is damaged beyond repair and I am never going to recover. No this too is not true. The brain recovers just fine from a concussion. When symptoms are present for more than 10 days, it is called post concussive syndrome. What this means can be seen in the video what is post concussive syndrome. And yes, post concussive syndrome can also fully recover.
Imaging studies are needed if I keep having symptoms for a longer time so that I know what is going on. No, there are a lot of strong stories that imaging is needed to make this diagnosis. The fact is that with current imaging tools, there is nothing at all to see after a concussion. To be specific, FMRI and DTI that are often mentioned are not either. There is currently not enough evidence from science to support these techniques. Indeed, these studies show that the same disturbances are found in healthy individuals as in those who have undergone concussion. But that the same disturbances can also be seen in PTSD symptoms, for example. So in short, imaging studies are not necessary for persistent symptoms.
Dizziness
Experiences at
PhysioMCN
“First of all, I really liked the first conversation. I was listened to and given clear information. After many wanderings through doctors and therapists, I was finally referred to MCN by my neurologist. After four treatments I was completely free of the headache symptoms…thanks for this!”