Concussions
Ottawa Fusion is committed to protecting the health and safety of our athletes. Although we strive to prevent concussions, the reality is concussions can happen. As a result, we have partnered with Sport Science Rehab & Performance. From initial pre-season baseline testing to concussion treatment and rehabilitation, Sport Science practitioners are trained to collaborate with primary care physicians to co-manage concussions and ensure athletes safely Return to Learn, Work and Play.
What Is A Concussion?
A concussion is a brain injury caused by acceleration or deceleration of the brain following a significant impact to the head or elsewhere on the body. The impact causes biochemical imbalances within brain cells, resulting in decreased blood flow and temporary energy deficits. Symptoms may include loss of consciousness, headache, pressure in the head, neck pain, nausea or vomiting, dizziness, or balance problems, among others.
Concussion Treatment
During the early stage following injury, a period of relative symptom limited physical and cognitive rest is recommended. Research suggests 24 to 48 hours; however, these decisions are made on a case-by-case basis.
Following a short period of rest, the International Consensus Statement on Concussion in Sport recommends a gradual increase in mental and physical activity guided by a licensed healthcare practitioner trained in concussion management. If symptoms persist beyond 10 days, exercise therapy, manual therapy of the neck, diet and nutrition changes, and vestibular and visual rehabilitation can be effective treatment options in these cases.
Baseline Testing
Baseline testing is a series of physical and cognitive tests that provide a pre-injury overview of healthy brain function. These tests can offer healthcare practitioners an objective benchmark on which to compare should an athlete sustain a concussion.
As concussion symptoms often disappear days to weeks before the brain has recovered, having valuable baseline information may help healthcare practitioners to make safer return to play decisions.
As part of our partnership with Sport Science, Ottawa Fusion requires baseline testing for all our athletes. For more information about baseline testing click here.