Page 25 - Sports Energy News, Cornwall, Issue No 7

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Concussion in Sport
This article was written by Dr. Kylie Draper, co-owner of Cornwall Spine Care Plus+,
located at 117 Eleventh Street West, Cornwall, ON.
What is a
Concussion?
A concussion is defined
by the 3rd international
conference on concussions as
a complex pathophysiological
process affecting the brain,
induced by traumatic
biomechanical forces. It can
be caused by a direct blow
to the head or to another
body region resulting in an
abrupt acceleration and/or
deceleration of the head-neck
complex.
What are the Signs
and Symptoms of a
Concussion?
There are many signs and
symptoms of a concussion
that can be observed. As a
coach, trainer, parent and
athlete it is important to be
able to recognize these signs
and symptoms so that an
athlete can receive the proper
medical attention.
Physical
• Headache
• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Balance problems
• Dizziness
• Visual problems
• Fatigue
• Sensitivity to light
• Sensitivity to noise
• Numbness/tingling
• Dazed
• Stunned
• Chiropractic
• Acupuncture
• Massage Therapy
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Cognitive Is there a guideline to concussion testing done pre-
• Feeling mentally ‘foggy’ follow to safely return season. This allows clinicians
• Feeling slowed down an athlete to play? to make a safe call when
• Difficulty concentrating Concussion experts returning the athlete to play.
• Difficulty remembering Baseline concussion testing
• Confused about recent unanimously agree that allows for the collection
events (80%-90%) of concussions of individualized, pre-
• Answers questions resolve in a 7-10 day period, concussion data to use as a
slowly although the recovery time comparison when evaluating
• Repeats questions frame may be longer in the athlete post-concussion.
• Forgetful of recent children and adolescents. A Having a measure of an
information and recommended return to play athlete’s normal will give a
conversations guideline has been published. baseline measure to compare
Emotional It is very important that all to when deciding whether an
coaches, trainers, parents athlete is ready to return to
• Irritable and athletes be aware of play. This testing is currently
• Sadness this guideline and follow it. being done at Cornwall
• More emotional For a copy of this guideline Spine Care Plus in Cornwall
• Nervousness please e-mail us at info@
Sleep spinecareplus.ca or call 613- Ontario. To sign your team
• Drowsiness 938-1000. or individual player up for
• Sleep more than usual Are there risks baseline concussion testing
• Sleep less than usual involved if an athlete please call 613-938-1000.
• Difficulty falling asleep returns to play For more information on
When should an prematurely? Concussion in Sport and
athlete return to Baseline Concussion Testing
play after suffering a Yes, there are potential we invite all players, parents,
concussion? health risks of returning trainers and coaches to join
an athlete with persistent us for our learning lecture on
Return to play (RTP) after symptoms to play. These Concussion in Sport.
a concussion should be risks include increased
individualized, gradual and susceptibility to a recurrent What: Lecture on
progressive. The athlete or more severe concussion, Concussion in Sport: what
should be free of concussion prolonged duration of every coach, trainer, parent
symptoms at rest as well as concussion symptoms, and and athletes should know.
during and after exertion Second Impact Syndrome When: May 1st, 2013
before returning to full (reports of death if athlete @ 7 p.m.
participation. The athlete receives a second blow to
should also have a normal the head while still suffering Where: Cornwall Spine
neurological exam including from primary concussion). Care Plus+
a normal cognitive and Call today to reserve
balance evaluation, ideally Pre-Concussion Baseline a seat 613-938-1000 or
compared to a pre-injury Testing book a seat online @
baseline values. It is now recommended www.spinecareplus.ca.
that athletes have baseline
613-938-1000
613-938-1000
117 Eleventh Street West
117 Eleventh Str eet W est
Cor nwall,
Cornwall, ON ON
.ca
eplus
• Sports Injuries and Physical Rehabilitation www.spinecareplus.ca
www
.spinecar
• Custom Orthotics & Braces
• Active Release Technique (ART) Accepting New Patients