Post-Concussion Recovery: Complete Guide to Healing & Rehab post thumbnail image

Best Post Concussion Syndrome Treatment in Delhi

Post-Concussion Syndrome treatment and cure
Book Appointment

What is Post Concussion Syndrome ?

Post-Concussion Syndrome (PCS) refers to a complex set of symptoms that persist for weeks, months, or even longer after a concussion (a mild traumatic brain injury). While most concussions resolve within a few days to weeks, about 10-30% of individuals experience PCS.

Causes

The exact cause of PCS is not fully understood and is believed to be multifactorial, involving a combination of physical, cognitive, and psychological factors.

  • Physiological Changes: The initial impact of a concussion can cause microscopic damage to brain cells, disruption of neurotransmitter systems, and changes in cerebral blood flow regulation. This can lead to an imbalance in brain chemistry and affect nerve cell function.
  • Autonomic Nervous System Dysfunction: Damage to white matter tracts can affect the autonomic nervous system, leading to issues with heart rate, blood pressure, and cerebral blood flow control, contributing to symptoms like dizziness, headache, and exercise intolerance.
  • Cervical Spine Involvement: The neck (cervical spine) is often injured during a concussion-causing event. Injuries to the neck joints, muscles, and ligaments can contribute to headaches, dizziness, and balance problems.
  • Vestibular System Dysfunction: The vestibular system (responsible for balance and spatial orientation) can be affected, leading to vertigo, dizziness, and motion sensitivity.
  • Oculomotor Dysfunction: Issues with eye movements (e.g., tracking, focusing) can arise, causing blurred vision, double vision, and eye strain.
  • Psychological Factors: Pre-existing conditions like anxiety, depression, or a history of migraines can increase the risk or exacerbate PCS symptoms. The stress and emotional impact of the injury itself can also contribute.
  • Genetics and Other Risk Factors: While not fully understood, age (younger and older individuals), sex (women are more frequently diagnosed), and a history of previous concussions are identified as risk factors.
Symptoms

PCS symptoms can be wide-ranging and affect multiple domains:-

  • Physical Symptoms:
    • Headache: The most common symptom, often tension-type, migraine-like, or cervicogenic (from the neck).
    • Dizziness/Vertigo: Feeling lightheaded, woozy, unsteady, or experiencing a sensation of spinning.
    • Fatigue: Profound tiredness not relieved by rest.
    • Nausea/Vomiting.
    • Sensitivity to Light (Photophobia) and Sound (Phonophobia).
    • Blurred or Double Vision, Eye Strain.
    • Sleep Disturbances: Insomnia, difficulty falling or staying asleep, or sleeping too much.
    • Neck Pain and Stiffness: Often associated with the injury mechanism.
    • Balance Problems.
    • Exercise Intolerance: Symptoms worsen with physical exertion.
  • Cognitive Symptoms:
    • Difficulty Concentrating: “Brain fog,” feeling slowed down.
    • Memory Problems: Forgetfulness, difficulty learning new information.
    • Difficulty with Multitasking.
    • Slowness in Thinking, Speaking, or Reacting.
    • Difficulty finding words.
  • Emotional/Behavioral Symptoms:
    • Irritability and Mood Swings.
    • Anxiety and Nervousness.
    • Depression.
    • Increased Emotional Sensitivity (e.g., tearfulness).
    • Changes in Personality.
    • Loss of Interest in Activities.
Advanced Physiotherapy for Post-Concussion Syndrome
  • Assessment:
    • Cervical Spine Assessment: Evaluating neck range of motion, posture, muscle tenderness, and joint mobility to identify cervicogenic contributions to headache and dizziness.
    • Vestibular Assessment: Testing balance, gaze stability (V.O.R. – Vestibulo-Ocular Reflex), visual tracking, and positional dizziness to identify vestibular dysfunction.
    • Oculomotor Assessment: Assessing eye movements, convergence, and visual tracking for visual disturbances.
    • Exertion Tolerance Testing: Graded exercise tests (e.g., Buffalo Concussion Treadmill Test) to determine the patient’s individual symptom threshold for physical activity.
    • Balance and Proprioception Testing.
    • Autonomic Nervous System Assessment: Monitoring heart rate and blood pressure responses to exertion.

Advanced Physiotherapy :

Pain Management:

    • Manual Therapy: Skilled hands-on techniques to mobilize stiff neck joints, release muscle tension (e.g., suboccipital release, trigger point dry needling if qualified), and improve soft tissue extensibility.
    • Therapeutic Exercise:
      • Neck Strengthening: Specific exercises for deep neck flexors and extensors to improve cervical stability and endurance.
      • Postural Correction: Education and exercises to improve head and neck posture, reducing strain.
      • Range of Motion Exercises: Gentle and progressive movements to restore full neck mobility.
    • Ergonomic Advice: Recommendations for optimizing work or study environments.
    • Balance Training: Progressing from stable to unstable surfaces, eyes open to eyes closed, and incorporating head movements, to improve postural control and reduce falls risk.
    • Sensory Integration: Exercises that challenge visual, vestibular, and somatosensory (body awareness) systems to work together effectively.
  • Pain Management and Modalities:
    • Manual therapy techniques for musculoskeletal pain.
    • Modalities like TENS or heat/cold packs to alleviate localized pain.

BOOK AN APPOINTMENT

Working Hours

Mon - Sat: 9:00AM to 8:30PM
Sunday: 9:30AM to 7:30PM

Call Us

+91 8090080906
+91 8090080907
+91 8866991000




    Add Your Heading Text Here

    Want to be a physical therapist ? Check Physioneeds Academy