A concussion is a mild traumatic brain injury that occurs when a blow to your head makes your brain bounce against your skull. Though not as common, a jolt to your body can also cause a concussion if the force results in intense head movement. The trauma damages brain cells and disrupts nerve communication. You may also have blood vessel damage or bruising in your brain.

A concussion rarely knocks you out. Symptoms may be delayed several hours or days. As a result, it’s easy to underestimate your concussion and continue your usual activities, and this is the opposite of the rest your brain needs while it heals.

When symptoms appear, you’ll experience one or more of the following:

• Headache
• Confusion
• Memory loss
• Dizziness
• Nausea
• Loss of balance
• Blurry vision or light sensitivity
• Insomnia or excessive sleeping
• Difficulty concentrating
• Feeling depressed, anxious, or irritable 

Many patients experience a range of intellectual, communication, social, behavioral, and emotional changes following a concussion. These changes can last for weeks and, in some cases, turn into a chronic problem.

Neuropsychological testing assesses your brain function, identifies subtle cognitive problems, and determines which areas of your brain were affected. The team at Abbey Neuropsychology Clinic performs a battery of tests that assess your memory, attention, and your brain’s processing speed.

If you had baseline neuropsychological testing prior to your concussion or a cognitive assessment by a physician or coach immediately after your concussion, your earlier results may be compared to the Abbey Neuropsychology Clinic assessment to track your progress or changes.

Your brain’s recovery is supported by the rehabilitation strategies at Abbey Neuropsychology Clinic. They offer treatments such as:

Neurofeedback

Neurofeedback significantly improves nerve connectivity in patients with mild traumatic brain injuries.

Infrared light therapy

Light therapy stimulates energy production within cells, decreases postconcussion inflammation, and increases neurotransmitter levels. Infrared light therapy may help regenerate nerves or improve your brain’s ability to form new nerve connections.

Neurovisual training

Neurovisual training improves working memory and is very beneficial for recovery from a concussion.

Cyclic variations in adaptive conditioning (CVAC)

During CVAC, you relax in a pod that uses dynamic changes in pressure to increase blood oxygen and cardiac output, decrease tissue swelling, and speed your recovery.

Psychotherapy

The team at Abbey Neuropsychology Clinic offers many types of therapy to work through any difficulties that linger after your concussion.

If you need help following a concussion, call Abbey Neuropsychology Clinic today.