Concussion Management
Kings Park Physical Therapy Now Offering State-of-the-art Advanced Testing and Treatment For Concussion Management For Athletes And Other Patient Populations Suffering Mild Or Moderate TBI (Traumatic Brain Injury).
Play It S.A.F.E.® Concussion Management Program
Play It S.A.F.E.® starts with baseline testing using objective neuro-physical balance testing to compliment the neuro-cognitive testing tool of your choice. A simple clinical guideline for a sideline assessment and follow-up evaluation provides insight to the question, "Can this athlete return to play?"
Play It S.A.F.E.®, the concussion management program we utilize, starts with preseason baseline testing using objective neuro-physical balance testing to complement the neuro-cognitive testing tool of choice (currently using IMPACT cognitive testing administered by Dr. Hayley Queller/she is the program coordinator for KPHS). In addition, the Balance System SD adds vestibular and objective balance assessment, so important in concussion management. Athletes of all levels can test and train in both static and dynamic mode to improve proprioception and avoid injury or re-injury. Using the Balance System SD as part of a concussion management program helps answer the question "can this athlete return to play?"
The Play It S.A.F.E.® program brings together cognitive and functional assessment using accepted tools and methods to afford you a "single source" concussion management program. It allows for:
- Preseason Baseline Testing by computerized assessment (the ability to quantify balance and cognitive function in athletes before an injury occurs). The objective data provided provides a performance baseline against which post-injury performance can be compared.
- Post-Injury Assessment - Traditionally, balance control has not been assigned a high priority in evaluating athletic injuries. Recently, there is strong evidence demonstrating the impact of balance deficits on functional performance and increased risk of re-injury.
Following head trauma, the Play It S.A.F.E.® program provides a simple "guideline" that the medical provider can follow, step-by-step to evaluate the athlete and form fact-based conclusions for return to play.
The program is designed to allows us to also train the athlete in preparation for return to play when indicated.
Click here for MoveForward PT's article entitled "Physical Therapist's Guide to Concussion". This informative article contains a wealth of information on concussions, including what a concussion is, signs & symptoms of a concussion, how concussions are diagnosed and how physical therapy can help with concussion management.
Why the Clinical Test of Sensory Integration of Balance (CTSIB) for concussion baseline balance testing?
The CTSIB test helps to determine which sensory system (visual, vestibular, or somatosensory) a person relies on to maintain balance. Research has shown that Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) populations rely more on visual cues than an able body population. Click here for more information.
DISCLAIMER: The information provided is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice but as a guideline to assessing athletes following a concussion. Always seek the care of a physician or other qualified healthcare provider with any questions or concerns you may have about a medical condition. If there is any question/concern about the athlete's status then recommend not returning to play.
