St. David’s Round Rock Medical Center recently opened a concussion clinic dedicated to helping patients who have suffered a concussion recover and return to their prior level of activity.
Concussions, which are a type of traumatic brain injury, occur when a blow to the head causes the brain to spin in the opposite direction from where the head was struck, described by doctors as a “rapid, rotational acceleration of the brain.”
New research reveals it’s best to reduce, but not eliminate, physical and cognitive activity after a concussion. In fact, in November, the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) released updated guidelines on sports-related concussions, recommending individualized management and stepwise programs, rather than extended restrictions from physical activity.
Athletes are not the only ones who can suffer a concussion. Concussions can occur with falls, motor vehicle accidents and other head traumas. Recovering from a concussion can take weeks, months or even years, depending upon the severity of the injury, and treatment doesn’t end when you leave the hospital or your doctor’s office. Often, further care is needed.
“Concussions can affect every aspect of someone’s life,” Dana Keesey, director of rehabilitation and wellness at St. David’s Round Rock Medical Center, said. “We provide treatment that will allow them to get back to their daily home, work and school-related activities.”
The concussion clinic at St. David’s Round Rock Medical Center provides personalized rehabilitation programs, including initial evaluation, a personalized plan of care, physical therapy, and exercises for vision, balance and memory. For more information, call (512) 341-6125.