Concussion Treatment

A concussion is a serious brain injury that can change the way you feel, react, and behave. At Virtua, we use advanced neurological and neurobehavioral services to manage symptoms, restore function, and prevent future complications.

Our Approach to Concussion Treatment at Virtua

Concussions are incredibly common, especially for athletes who play contact sports like football, soccer, or hockey. Concussions occur when your head is bumped, hit, or even jarred without contact. This causes your brain to rapidly move back and forth or bang against the side of your skull.

Whether you experienced a concussion from a sports-related injury, an accident, or something in-between, we can provide the care you need. 

At Virtua, we bring together sports medicine specialists, neurologists, physicians, and physical therapists to expertly care for and manage concussion-related symptoms.

Here's what you can expect by connecting with our team:

• Prioritized care: Head injuries should be evaluated and treated immediately to rule out any life-threatening emergencies. That's why, at Virtua, you'll receive prioritized care for brain and concussion-related injuries. Whether visiting our emergency rooms or connecting with our sports medicine team, know you'll get the care you need, fast.
• ImPACT testing: To accurately diagnose and determine the best next steps for treatment, we utilize ImPACT testing. This computer-based assessment tool allows us to measure memory, attention span, brain processing speed, reaction time, and post-concussive symptoms. We also perform this test for athletes who have never experienced a concussion to establish a baseline for comparison.
• A team approach: Whether you're a professional, recreational, or school athlete, our team will work closely with your athletic trainers, coaches, staff, and therapists to coordinate a safe return to activity. 

Am I a Candidate for Concussion Treatment?

Following impact to your head, you should seek out treatment if you begin experiencing these symptoms:

• Headache
• Irritability
• Difficulty concentrating
• Confusion
• Forgetfulness
• Uneven balance
• Sluggishness
• Dizziness
• Nausea
• Sensitivity to noise and light
• Blurred vision
• Slowed reaction time
• Heightened emotional reactions
• Disturbed sleep
• Loss of consciousness

Concussion Treatment at Virtua

When it comes to concussion treatment, it all depends on the severity of your symptoms. At Virtua, we'll create a personalized treatment plan that addresses your needs. This might include:

• Rest and modified activity: You will need a period of rest and added sleep. By taking a break from regular cognitive and physical activity, you're protecting your brain from mental stress as it recovers and restores function. During this rest period, it's important to slowly begin resuming activity. We suggest identifying triggers that can spark concussion symptoms—like reading, texting, and watching TV. If you begin feeling worse, you should stop that activity and rest. 
• Recovery: Following your initial rest period, we'll collaboratively develop a plan for you to resume light activity. This might include riding a stationary bike, moderate jogging, or light sports activities to see how you respond.
• Game On: As your symptoms improve, you can resume normal activities. Approximately 80% of concussion symptoms clear up between seven to 14 days. At Virtua, we will partner with you to help prevent concussion injuries in the future.