The Effects of Physiotherapy on Cognitive Function After Concussion
A concussion is a traumatic brain injury that can affect an individual’s cognitive function. While there is no known cure for concussion, physiotherapy can help improve the affected person’s overall functioning. Here, we will discuss the effects of physiotherapy on cognitive function after a concussion.
It is important to understand the mechanics of a concussion. A blow to the head results in a disruption of the normal function of the brain. This disruption can lead to physical, cognitive, and emotional changes in the affected individual. Symptoms of a concussion can range from headaches and dizziness.
Physiotherapy for Concussion
Physiotherapy is a treatment that can help improve the functioning of individuals who have experienced a concussion. Physiotherapy targets a concussion’s physical, cognitive, and emotional effects to improve overall functioning. Physiotherapy can assist with physical changes like improving balance, coordination, and muscle strength; cognitive changes. This includes improving concentration, memory, problem-solving skills, and emotional changes, like reducing anxiety and depression.
The most common physiotherapy treatment for concussion is called vestibular rehabilitation. This treatment helps to retrain the brain to respond to normal movement and balance. It includes exercises that help the patient balance, coordination, and orientation in space. These exercises range from large movements, like rolling across the floor, to small movements or eye exercises.
Vestibular rehabilitation can include simple activities that allow the patient to focus on a specific movement or gaze point while their head moves in different directions. This helps to reduce dizziness, eye strain and headaches. Physiotherapists may also use manual techniques like craniosacral therapy and gentle massage to help reduce tension in the neck, head and shoulders. This can help to reduce headaches, neck pain and facial pain associated with concussion.
A physiotherapist may also recommend specific exercises designed to improve neck strength, flexibility, and core stability exercises, which can help improve posture and reduce fatigue. Balance training can also be beneficial for patients recovering from concussions. This can include standing on one foot, balancing on a wobble board or standing on a foam pad. Patients are also encouraged to gradually increase their activity levels over time as tolerated, which helps with recovery. Physiotherapists may suggest incorporating yoga or tai chi into the patient’s daily routine as stretching exercises that can help improve flexibility and balance. These activities are also beneficial for relaxation and reducing stress levels, which can help with the overall recovery process.
Effects of physiotherapy on cognitive function after concussion
The effects of physiotherapy on cognitive function after a concussion depend on the individual’s current level of functioning and the treatment plan implemented. For example, a physiotherapist may use a variety of exercises, such as balance and coordination exercises, to help improve an individual’s cognitive functioning after a concussion. These exercises help to re-train the brain to perform tasks more efficiently and effectively.
In addition to physical exercises, physiotherapists may also use cognitive exercises to improve an individual’s cognitive functioning. These exercises may include cognitive behavioural therapy, which can help to reduce anxiety and depression, as well as memory and problem-solving exercises.
Here’s how physiotherapy helps post-concussion
1. Physiotherapy can help to improve cognitive function after a concussion injury by providing physical exercises to enhance the individual’s physical and mental functioning.
2. It helps improve coordination, balance, and motor skills, which can improve the individual’s cognitive functioning.
3. Physiotherapy exercises can also help to enhance concentration and memory recall, which can be severely affected after a head injury.
4. It can also help regain or improve eye-hand coordination, fine motor, and gross motor skills.
5. Additionally, physiotherapy can help to improve the person’s postural control and balance, which are important for cognitive functioning.
6. Physiotherapists can also provide counselling to help improve mood and reduce stress levels, which can help with cognitive processing.
7. Physiotherapists may also use rehabilitative exercises to help the individual regain lost skills, such as those related to the perception and understanding of visual, auditory or spatial information.
8. They can also guide how to improve problem-solving skills, as well as how to plan and organize activities.
9. Physiotherapists can also offer advice on managing fatigue, an often experienced after-effect of a concussion that can impede cognitive functioning.
10. Finally, physiotherapy can also help to reduce symptoms of headaches and dizziness that may be associated with a concussion, which in turn can help improve cognitive functioning.
Conclusion
Post-concussion physiotherapy is a great tool for improving cognitive function after a concussion. It can potentially reduce symptoms and lead to a quicker recovery than if treatment was left untreated. Through this form of therapy, patients can regain balance, coordination, and other cognitive abilities.
You can get the post-concussion physiotherapy in Calgary at The Port Physiotherapy. We have professionals who help reduce the risk of developing long-term neurological effects from the initial concussion. Postconcussion physiotherapy is an excellent way to regain cognitive functioning and improve the quality of life for those suffering from a concussion.