1. You have to hit your head to get a concussion.
Many of our patients do not hit their head and still have a concussion. A whiplash energy mechanism can still generate enough force to cause a concussion. One’s brain is floating in the cerebrospinal fluid, so a whiplash injury can cause it to jerk/twist and lean against the skull. Although most consider a force of 95 g to be a threshold for concussions, there are many cases of concussions with a lower force and many cases of those with higher forces who do not sustain concussions, for example football players they frequently face blows of more than 100 g of force. The details of the discrepancy are not yet fully known. So if the force transmitted to the brain is abrupt enough, whether it hits the head or not, a concussion can occur.
2. After a concussion, you should rest in a dark room until all of your symptoms are gone.
While many patients feel less energized after a concussion and it is recommended that they rest, they should not feel compelled to stay in a dark room to “cure their concussions.” In fact, after the first 2-3 days, studies show that light physical activity and cognitive tasks can help speed healing. Completely withdrawing from life activities, and even more so, staying in a dark room, will have a disruptive effect:
• It can create feelings of loneliness, sadness and boredom.
• It will interrupt the signals of the natural sleep cycles.
• Will cause neck and somatic pain. Nor will it provide
• It will make you miss out on many opportunities for cognitive stimulation that can help you recover.
Sometimes patients are sensitive to light. This may be due to the brightness of the light or the type of lighting (eg, fluorescent lighting). They are best avoided, as they aggravate your symptoms and may make it difficult for you to participate in other therapeutic activities. It is best to seek the help of a concussion expert to guide you on your path to recovery.
3. If you suspect a concussion, you should go to the emergency room.
There are certain criteria that require a visit to the emergency room:
• You have a headache that gets worse; or a new type of headache; or a severe headache
• Are very sleepy or cannot wake up
• Can’t recognize new people, places, or events
• Has repeated vomiting (more than twice)
• Behaving unusual or appearing confused; they are very irritable
• Has seizures (arms and legs shake uncontrollably)
• Have weak or numbered arms or legs
• Are unsteady on their feet
• Has trouble speaking
• You have severe and persistent neck pain
• You have double vision or blurred vision
• Lose consciousness
• Continuous bleeding or loss of fluid from the ears or nose
• If you notice any signs of symptoms that concern you and you are not sure of their importance
These will usually occur within the first 4 hours, but may occur infrequently within the first day or two. Otherwise, it is to your advantage to be seen by a concussion expert early on to get you on the right path to recovery.
Our York Region Medical Clinic offers coordinated concussion evaluations and therapies for those seeking a post-concussion syndrome specialist in and around Toronto. Our Aurora Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation Center offers integrative vision, vestibular, autonomic, and musculoskeletal rehabilitation. We currently have two physiotherapy practices in the York Region – one in Aurora and one in Thornhill, with a more central location for those looking for Sports Physiotherapy in Vaughan or Physiotherapy in Markham.