Concussion Services
Concussion Physiotherapy Service
Neurological Rehabilitation Group physiotherapists are leaders in the concussion space. We have a sub team within the vestibular team who have very specific training to manage children, adolescents and adults with concussion.
Concussion patients are referred into the physiotherapy service for an initial assessment with one of the concussion physiotherapists. Initial assessment will involve understanding a detailed history of the patient’s presentation and symptom profile. It is also important to understand the patient’s life roles; work, recreation, family etc as this can have an impact on recovery. The physiotherapist will then assess the visual, vestibular and cervical system to determine if there is a physical trigger for symptoms. If we feel there is an autonomic impairment we will refer to our exercise physiology team for a sub maximal exertion test. Patients can then expect to have treatment at the time of the initial consult with education on concussion and management. They will leave with a home program to do daily. Follow up appointments will progress the rehabilitation until patients can be discharged for a clearance session with the exercise physiology team.
Our highly skilled concussion physiotherapists often are asked to speak at other clinics, elite sporting clubs and conferences and run courses on concussion rehabilitation. We provide an internal training program for vestibular physiotherapists who are interested in concussion management. This closely supervised upskilling program is comprehensive and intense to ensure all concussion physiotherapists are competent in this area.
Concussion Exercise Physiologist Service
Concussion Return To Play Assessment
Neurological Rehabilitation Group is committed to facilitating the safe return of concussed athletes to contact sports and competitive play once they are symptom-free and capable of performing at their usual ability. Our exercise physiology service has developed a comprehensive Return to Play assessment protocol, which is crucial for making informed decisions regarding the suitability of resuming play and contact.
This assessment involves a series of tests designed to challenge the visual, vestibular, and cervical systems under conditions of fatigue. Our exercise physiologists tailor these assessments to reflect the specific demands of each athlete’s sport. The athletes reaction time, decision-making ability, movement speed, hand-eye coordination, balance, and symptom provocation are all closely monitored throughout.
Following the assessment, our exercise physiologists, physiotherapists, and the broader medical team will come together to discuss and determine the appropriateness of the athlete's return to play and contact.
