Accelerated Physical Therapy Helps Concussed Athletes Return-To-Play and Heal From Serious Concussions

CHICAGO, Aug. 26, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- With football and soccer seasons here and more than one million youth athletes expected to sustain a concussion this year, head injuries are top of mind for many parents.  And, if a child does sustain a concussion, how do parents know when it is safe for kids to return to their sport? 

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A recent study shows that almost one-third of concussed athletes are released to play before they are ready. According to the study's authors, almost one-third of the student-athletes experienced neurocognitive symptoms (including memory loss) even though they had been asymptomatic after rest and had been cleared to play.

And, another recent study argues that there is even more to be concerned about.  It shows that young athletes who sustain two or more concussions -- or worse yet, sustain them in the same year -- can take up to two or three times longer to recover.

The new Concussion Management Program at Accelerated Physical Therapy helps concussed athletes return to play safely and provides physical therapy solutions to those with serious concussions.  The program offers a return-to-play protocol and multi-disciplinary treatment for athletes with first-time or multiple concussions – and for those who have symptoms that have not resolved. 

"For asymptomatic and first-time concussions, we work with physicians on a customized return-to-play protocol to ensure that the patient isn't released to play too soon," explains Paul Schroeder, Accelerated Concussion Management specialist.  Schroeder heads the company's Return-to-Play (RTP) program which works in tandem with physicians and evaluates a patient's cognitive, musculoskeletal, sensory, balance and oculomotor skills.

But, some concussions are more serious.  "Most concussion symptoms resolve themselves after three weeks of rest," explains Tim Rylander, Accelerated Concussion Management and vestibular specialist.  "However, for those with serious concussions, we provide manual, vestibular and neuromuscular therapy to help them heal and get back to normal."

The Accelerated Concussion Management program is a highly-detailed customized approach towards treatment.  It uses current, evidence-based treatment techniques in order to develop a comprehensive and effective management plan. 

Accelerated's Concussion Management Program includes:

• Musculoskeletal evaluation: Addresses possible contributing factors of the craniocervical complex and cervical spine to post-concussive symptoms, including headaches and dizziness.
• Sensory evaluation: Assesses an individual's vestibular, visual and somatosensory systems as well as balance and dizziness.
• Oculomotor evaluation: Investigates the influence of dynamic vision and optokinetic stimulation on dizziness, difficulty with concentration, visual disturbance and headaches.

In order to offer a comprehensive treatment plan, physical therapists use a variety of therapies, including:

• Manual Therapy: utilization of hands-on manual therapy geared toward improving spinal mobility and spinal mechanics, while simultaneously reducing soft tissue and myofascial restrictions to reduce headache and pain.
• Vestibular Rehabilitation Exercises: Therapeutic exercises designed to reduce impairments in balance, and symptoms of dizziness.
• Neuromuscular Re-education Strategies: Therapeutic activities to improve oculomotor coordination and gaze stability to reduce visual disturbances, improve headaches and fogginess. 

Once patients are symptom-free, Accelerated physical therapists will administer an ImPACT test, a neurocognitive test specifically designed for concussion management, in addition to a five-step, Return-To-Play program for athletes to achieve medical clearance. 

For more information on Accelerated's Concussion Management Program, visit acceleratedrehab.com or call 877-97-REHAB.

About Accelerated Rehabilitation Centers

Chicago-based Accelerated Rehabilitation Centers is a premier provider of a wide array of comprehensive patient services and specialized rehabilitation programs. Since 1989, Accelerated has grown to over 230 outpatient rehabilitation centers in Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Michigan, Missouri, Wisconsin, Ohio and Arizona, becoming the top choice for many professional athletes, large employers and busy professionals. For more information about Accelerated, call 877-97-REHAB, or visit www.acceleratedrehab.com.

CONTACT:Ann Pitcher
ann@pscommunicationsinc.com
630.234.4150

SOURCE Accelerated Rehabilitation Centers