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Concussions are a Mild Traumatic Brain Injury (mTBI) that need to be taken seriously. As our overall understanding of concussions and recovery from these brain injuries improves, physical therapy has emerged as an important resource for all individuals who sustain a concussive injury. With the creation of the Sports Concussion Rehabilitation Center and the addition of a dedicated Sports Concussion Physical Therapist, University Orthopedics hopes to make this treatment more accessible to athletes who have been newly diagnosed with a concussion or those struggling with lingering effects.
By improving neurological function, physical therapy not only results in better and faster recovery for patients, but it can also decrease the risk of future concussion or other subsequent injuries that can occur as a result of persistent underlying deficits.
Physical therapy for concussion ideally begins within the first 24 to 48 hours in order to help patients manage symptoms and help improve recovery time. However, athletes who are slow to recover and experience lingering effects can also benefit.
Areas in which physical therapy can aid in concussion recovery
Determine the likely cause of the persisting headaches and address the root cause as appropriate.
Neck pain is common after a concussion as many concussion injuries result in a whiplash mechanism. We can treat any joint or muscle-related problems relating to the patient’s neck pain.
We can assess and address any related positional vertigo (BPPV). We can also address any reduced vestibular function which results in poor balance, coordination, and difficulty with navigation through their daily environment following a concussion. This can show up as balance problems, dizziness, or an increase in car sickness/motion sickness.
We can assess accommodative deficits and convergence insufficiencies and help to treat them as appropriate. We can also facilitate contact with a specialist if necessary.
We can detect and address autonomic dysfunction that may result following a concussion. We can facilitate a gradual return to appropriate physical activities to help with appropriate cardiovascular function.
Athletes don’t like to be put on the sidelines. Active participation in something that is helping them get better can help reduce anxiety and depression surrounding their injury.
We can help with dual-task training. We can facilitate a gradual return to typical everyday tasks by connecting cognitive work with general movement and physical tasks as appropriate. We can also specialize these tasks to the person’s specific sport or typical activities.
Caroline Bertram is a Doctor of Physical Therapy, specializing in the treatment of concussions at the University Orthopedics Sports Concussion Rehabilitation Center. After earning a bachelor’s degree in exercise science from Sacred Heart University, she attended the University of Rhode Island, where she earned her Doctor of Physical Therapy degree. Initially treating general orthopedic conditions, she quickly developed a special interest in treating patients with balance, dizziness, and other neurological concerns. She has worked with players from the Providence Bruins, Brown University athletes, as well as many other student-athletes in Rhode Island. Her goal is to help improve the quality of life and performance of each concussed patient she works with and facilitate improved neurological and brain function to prevent increased risk of future concussion or other subsequent injuries that can occur as a result of persistent underlying deficits. Caroline sees patients at Kettle Point in East Providence and our East Greenwich location.
Kate is the Manager of Athletic Training Services for University Orthopedics. She received her Bachelor of Science in Athletic Training and Sports Medicine from Quinnipiac University. Kate has experience working with teams in many different settings, including Division I Women’s Ice Hockey, Men’s Soccer, Softball, and Men’s Lacrosse at Quinnipiac University; Yale University Football; Gymnastics and Men’s Basketball at University of Bridgeport; and Assumption College Football. Kate has served as the Head Athletic Trainer at South Kingstown High School since 2016. She is also the Public Relations Committee Chair for the Rhode Island Athletic Trainers’ Association. Her clinical interests include athletic injury rehabilitation as well as manual therapy techniques.
University Orthopedics in Providence, Rhode Island, is a regional referral center for patients with back and neck pain, joint pain, sports medicine problems, shoulder pain, hand problems, hip and knee pain, and foot and ankle injury. University Orthopedics utilizes fellowship-trained, sub-specialized physicians to treat a variety of orthopedic problems. Learn more.
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