How to Choose a Concussion Clinic

Tricia Hayton, Registered Physiotherapist

Experts in the field of Concussion are promoting a multidisciplinary approach to treatment of concussions.   This means there should be a variety of healthcare professionals, each with specific training and experience to treat your symptoms and create a comprehensive plan to return you to school, work and sports.

The 5th International Consensus Concussion Statement was produced in April of 2017, after a conference in Berlin of Concussion experts from around the world.   They stated that “Treatment should be individualized, and target-specific medical, physical and psychosocial factors identified on assessment.”

There is preliminary evidence supporting the use of:

• An individualized symptom-limited aerobic exercise program for patients with persistent post-concussive symptoms.
• A targeted physical therapy program in patients with cervical spine or vestibular dysfunction,
• A collaborative approach including cognitive behavioural therapy to deal with any persistent mood or behavioural issues”

Furthermore, they stated that “difficult cases that should be managed in a multidisciplinary collaborative setting, by healthcare providers with experience in SRC (Sports Related Concussion).”

But how do you know what clinic is right for you?

Both the Canadian Academy of Sport and Exercise Medicine and the Ontario Neurotrauma Foundation have released guides to help you choose.  Both publications stress the following points.

1. Your care should be coordinated by and in cooperation with a physician
2. The clinic should have access to a variety of rehabilitation professionals ranging from psychology, to physiotherapists and chiropractors.   Nutritionists and optometrists can also have a role.   It is critical that if the professional is not on site there is a good referral system.
3. All clinicians should have experience and specialized training in treating concussions.  Ask the clinic what “extra” courses their professionals have taken, and when the last attended an update.  Standards are frequently being changed, and the newest standard must be met.

The full resources can be found here:

ONF:   concussionsontario.org/standards/tools-resources/concussion-information-for-patients-and-families/
CASEM  : casem-acmse.org/concussion-related-position-statements-tools/#CCCtools

At Physio Sport Med of Oakville we are proud to say that our team meets, and exceeds, these standards.  Concussions can be scary and overwhelming, call us today for a free consult or and assessment.   We will put your mind at ease.