August 07, 2019 at 07:12AM
Concussion (Photo: Getty Images/iStockphoto)
As we anticipate Fall in West Texas, we also begin a new season of youth sports – football, soccer, cheerleading, volleyball – all activities that teach important life lessons about teamwork, sportsmanship, confidence, time management, commitment and more. But with these many benefits, youth sports also come with some risk of injury, including concussion.
Over the years, increased education and awareness within schools and the community, as well as more athletic trainers covering events, have led to significant growth in the number of treated concussions. It is estimated that 2 in 10 high school athletes will suffer a concussion this year. Of the patients treated at the Shannon Concussion Clinic last year, 68% of those in individuals between the ages of 12 and 20.
The perception is the majority of these injuries occur during tackle football, but they have many causes. Last year, 30% were caused by non-sport accidents, followed by football (26%), motor vehicle accidents (8%), basketball (8%), soccer (5%), volleyball (2%), cheerleading (2%) and baseball (2%).
A concussion is caused by a blow to the head, neck, chest or other area on the body that jolts the brain. This fast movement can "shake" the brain or cause it to bounce around or twist in the skull. This creates chemical changes in the brain and sometimes stretches and damages the brain cells.
The Shannon Concussion Clinic assists area schools with proper concussion care and treatment for student athletes. The Concussion Clinic works with Shannon Sports Medicine and the Shannon Brain and Spine Institute to facilitate diagnoses and assist athletes in returning to their normal activities and the field.
There are several signs and symptoms that could indicate someone has a concussion, including:
- Headache
- Nausea
- Balance problems or dizziness
- Double or fuzzy vision
- Sensitivity to light or noise
- Feeling sluggish or "foggy"
- Change in sleep pattern
- Concentration or memory problems
Andrew King (Photo: Shannon Health)
Additionally, coaches or parents may notice other signs in their athlete such as appearing to be dazed or stunned, confusion, forgetting plays or events during the game, loss of consciousness, and answering questions slowly.
Treatment of a concussion involves eliminating certain activities that stress the brain and may vary for each individual. Treatment may include no texting, television or video games along with modifications in the classroom setting. It is up to parents to make sure these rules are enforced at home as well. Individuals must be 100 percent recovered before being sent back to sports or the classroom to prevent long-term damage to the brain.
Shannon's Concussion Clinic strives to use the latest technology available to help provide the highest level of care for area athletes. Last year, the clinic implemented, C3 Logix, a neurological assessment tool that provides the most comprehensive assessment available today. The platform is available to the entire concussion treatment team of physicians, physical therapists, athletic trainers, and coaches to work collaboratively in assessing and treating each individual. Utilizing a tablet, the program can be used directly on the sidelines by a certified athletic trainer or physician.
C3 Logix assesses several factors including reaction time, memory, processing speed, motor function, vision and balance to provide a "big picture" of how the brain in functioning. A treatment plan is then individualized to your child. C3 Logix helps to establish objective data to determine each individual's readiness to return to the classroom and field of play.
The C3 Logix system originated at Cleveland Clinic's Concussion Center is now the standard for many NCAA Division 1 universities as well as the UFC and NFL. Shannon is currently the only Sports Medicine program in West Texas to offer this system to the athletes of our region.
The Clinic also implemented a new technology called Composite Balance Score (CBS) to aid in quicker treatment of concussion. Many concussion patients suffer from vestibular symptoms, or dizziness. They get headaches when they read or try to do rapid eye movements where they're looking down at their desk and looking up at the board. The CBS system is a balance board that has a built in exercise program to help with vestibular rehab.
The CBS system includes three exercises that take about 15 minutes to complete. While the child stands on the board, it checks their balance and then leads them through interactive mazes using their movement and balance. It takes very detailed scientific measurements in the background to determine how the child is progressing with treatment. Those needing more intense or formal therapy may be referred to the Shannon Neurotherapy Clinic for additional treatment.
Ninety percent of concussions resolve within a week. If not, it is important they have time to properly heal. The most important thing to understand about concussions is that kids may not always look as sick or injured as they really are. We work as a team with trainers and the coaches and the schools to guide their return to play and classroom in a very strategic way for the best outcome for each child.
For more information about the Shannon Concussion Clinic or to inquire about a concussion evaluation, contact 325.481.2036.
Read or Share this story: https://www.gosanangelo.com/story/news/2019/08/06/collaboration-key-successful-concussion-treatment/1924568001/
Concussion (Photo: Getty Images/iStockphoto)
As we anticipate Fall in West Texas, we also begin a new season of youth sports – football, soccer, cheerleading, volleyball – all activities that teach important life lessons about teamwork, sportsmanship, confidence, time management, commitment and more. But with these many benefits, youth sports also come with some risk of injury, including concussion.
Over the years, increased education and awareness within schools and the community, as well as more athletic trainers covering events, have led to significant growth in the number of treated concussions. It is estimated that 2 in 10 high school athletes will suffer a concussion this year. Of the patients treated at the Shannon Concussion Clinic last year, 68% of those in individuals between the ages of 12 and 20.
The perception is the majority of these injuries occur during tackle football, but they have many causes. Last year, 30% were caused by non-sport accidents, followed by football (26%), motor vehicle accidents (8%), basketball (8%), soccer (5%), volleyball (2%), cheerleading (2%) and baseball (2%).
A concussion is caused by a blow to the head, neck, chest or other area on the body that jolts the brain. This fast movement can "shake" the brain or cause it to bounce around or twist in the skull. This creates chemical changes in the brain and sometimes stretches and damages the brain cells.
The Shannon Concussion Clinic assists area schools with proper concussion care and treatment for student athletes. The Concussion Clinic works with Shannon Sports Medicine and the Shannon Brain and Spine Institute to facilitate diagnoses and assist athletes in returning to their normal activities and the field.
There are several signs and symptoms that could indicate someone has a concussion, including:
- Headache
- Nausea
- Balance problems or dizziness
- Double or fuzzy vision
- Sensitivity to light or noise
- Feeling sluggish or "foggy"
- Change in sleep pattern
- Concentration or memory problems
Andrew King (Photo: Shannon Health)
Additionally, coaches or parents may notice other signs in their athlete such as appearing to be dazed or stunned, confusion, forgetting plays or events during the game, loss of consciousness, and answering questions slowly.
Treatment of a concussion involves eliminating certain activities that stress the brain and may vary for each individual. Treatment may include no texting, television or video games along with modifications in the classroom setting. It is up to parents to make sure these rules are enforced at home as well. Individuals must be 100 percent recovered before being sent back to sports or the classroom to prevent long-term damage to the brain.
Shannon's Concussion Clinic strives to use the latest technology available to help provide the highest level of care for area athletes. Last year, the clinic implemented, C3 Logix, a neurological assessment tool that provides the most comprehensive assessment available today. The platform is available to the entire concussion treatment team of physicians, physical therapists, athletic trainers, and coaches to work collaboratively in assessing and treating each individual. Utilizing a tablet, the program can be used directly on the sidelines by a certified athletic trainer or physician.
C3 Logix assesses several factors including reaction time, memory, processing speed, motor function, vision and balance to provide a "big picture" of how the brain in functioning. A treatment plan is then individualized to your child. C3 Logix helps to establish objective data to determine each individual's readiness to return to the classroom and field of play.
The C3 Logix system originated at Cleveland Clinic's Concussion Center is now the standard for many NCAA Division 1 universities as well as the UFC and NFL. Shannon is currently the only Sports Medicine program in West Texas to offer this system to the athletes of our region.
The Clinic also implemented a new technology called Composite Balance Score (CBS) to aid in quicker treatment of concussion. Many concussion patients suffer from vestibular symptoms, or dizziness. They get headaches when they read or try to do rapid eye movements where they're looking down at their desk and looking up at the board. The CBS system is a balance board that has a built in exercise program to help with vestibular rehab.
The CBS system includes three exercises that take about 15 minutes to complete. While the child stands on the board, it checks their balance and then leads them through interactive mazes using their movement and balance. It takes very detailed scientific measurements in the background to determine how the child is progressing with treatment. Those needing more intense or formal therapy may be referred to the Shannon Neurotherapy Clinic for additional treatment.
Ninety percent of concussions resolve within a week. If not, it is important they have time to properly heal. The most important thing to understand about concussions is that kids may not always look as sick or injured as they really are. We work as a team with trainers and the coaches and the schools to guide their return to play and classroom in a very strategic way for the best outcome for each child.
For more information about the Shannon Concussion Clinic or to inquire about a concussion evaluation, contact 325.481.2036.
Read or Share this story: https://www.gosanangelo.com/story/news/2019/08/06/collaboration-key-successful-concussion-treatment/1924568001/