Concussion Symptoms can Improve with Managed Exercise, Physical Therapy

With high school sports starting up soon and NFL training camps in full swing, concussions are certain to ramp up within the mainstream consciousness. 

And, while talk will often point to conventional wisdom which states that “time and rest” are the best and only options for recovery from concussion, Yorba Linda physical therapist Ruben Salinas says that studies now suggest managed exercise and movement can hasten recovery. 

“It wasn’t very long ago when concussion sufferers were told not to move – to rest, with no exercise, until symptoms improved,” said Salinas, owner of Salinas Physical Therapy in Yorba Linda. “Today, while rest remains important, it’s become increasingly important to get moving with a careful, managed exercise program that can benefit recovery.” 

In 2010, researchers at the University of Buffalo were the first to show that specialized exercise regimens can relieve prolonged concussion symptoms. 

The study focused on both athletes and non-athletes and was published in the Clinical Journal of Sports Medicine. Researchers based their findings on the hypothesis that “the regulatory system responsible for maintaining cerebral blood flow, which may be dysfunctional in people with a concussion, can be restored to normal by controlled, graded, symptom-free exercise.”  

Nearly 3.8 million people suffer from concussions each year in the U.S., according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), many the result of athletic injuries and motor vehicle accidents. From 5 to 10 percent of these people may experience concussion symptoms that last beyond six weeks. 

“As health care professionals, physical therapists are in an ideal position to provide one-on-one care for concussion sufferers, from evaluation through treatment,” said Salinas. “Concussions are serious medical conditions that can hold you back for days … even weeks. A physical therapist can guide a patient through the healing process, making recovery more proactive and possibly even quicker.” 

Individualized care is key, says Salinas. In fact, according to the American Association of Physical Therapy (APTA), a physical therapist will first provide concussed patients with thorough neurological, orthopedic and cardiovascular evaluations prior to developing an individualized treatment plan that addresses specific needs and goals.  

Then, following some rest and recovery, a physical therapist can determine when it’s best to begin treating the problems related to the concussion (e.g., dizziness, balance and headaches) while also starting a light, guided exercise program for the restoration of strength and endurance, putting the patient on track to a full recovery. 

“A physical therapist will be with you every step of the way as you gradually return to normal life and activities, whether it includes getting back to work, hobbies or competitive sports,” said Salinas. “This is a guided process that’s different for each concussion sufferer, it takes a medical professional such as a PT to manage and monitor increases in activity levels for the long-term safety of the patient.”