A concussion occurs when a person receives a blow to the head. Since a concussion is a mild brain injury, it often changes the structure at the cellular level and impacts the way the brain functions.
One of the most common misconceptions about a concussion is that doctors can only diagnose with brain imaging tools such as a CT scan or MRI. However, often brain changes do not appear on these tests. That leaves doctors to diagnose a concussion by symptoms alone. The most typical ones include:
Changes in memory
Headaches
Balance problems
Confusion
Difficulty concentrating
Dizziness
Mood swings
Fatigue
Loss of consciousness
Nausea
Sensitivity to light and sound
Sleep disturbances
Slow reaction time
Not everyone experiences all of these symptoms and it's common not to experience them right away. It could be several days or even weeks until some of these issues show up for the first time.
Loss of Consciousness
Another persistent myth is that a person must lose consciousness for a doctor to classify his or her brain injury as a concussion. The reality is that most people with this type of brain injury do not report a loss of consciousness at the time of the original injury. Some people can remember every detail of what happened while others have amnesia or can only come up with some of the details.
Rest is Necessary
If the brain injured person's doctor has ruled out more serious injuries, he or she can sleep uninterrupted. In fact, rest is the best way to start healing the brain. Many people make the mistake of trying to jump back into their regular activities right away, which only prolongs healing. It's especially important to avoid intense physical activities, screen time, and tasks that require problem-solving and deep concentration.
Recovery
Even a mild concussion can affect many areas of a person's life and produce long-term problems such as changes in thinking, vision impairment, imbalance, and emotional disturbance. At Progressive Therapy Associates, we work with patients to identify their most pressing issues and create a comprehensive treatment plan to address them. It will take time, dedication, and patience, to gradually recover from a brain injury.
Free Consultation
Our dedicated team of speech-language pathologists are specially trained in speech therapy as it relates to cognitive-communication issues (how you listen, process, focus, remember, and communicate). We are also nationally certified by the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association, are nationally recognized by the Brain Injury Association of America and are Certified Brain Injury Specialists (CBIS). We are licensed to practice in both North Dakota and Minnesota. We believe every patient deserves the best treatment and support we can offer in every single contact and interaction with us.
We recognize that no two people have the same needs and that everyone has different learning styles. That’s why we like to call our approach “the Progressive way,” which means we will happily customize treatment plans to meet the unique needs of the individual and their family. We also believe in “the right fit” between patient and therapist, so will make every effort to match you with a clinician who connects with you, understands you, and utilizes a therapy style that is comfortable for you.
Depending on the goals you wish to accomplish and the learning pace that is most comfortable for you, we will arm you with the evidence-based strategies, proven skills, and ample support you need to feel more organized, prepared, and effective. Therapy strategies may range from recommendations for specific tools (such as timers or planners), one-on-one brainstorming and problem-solving to address concerns, therapeutic activities as well as computer trials or worksheets to help strengthen cognitive and executive functions like attention, memory, and planning.
We know that working on cognitive-communication issues is hard work and that it can be easy to feel defeated or overwhelmed by the challenges of building a more efficient brain. However, you will not be in this alone. We are not just speech-language pathologists; we are fellow human beings who care about you, your journey, and your success. We don’t want an appointment to feel like you’ve been sent to the principal’s office. Instead, you’ll find a comfortable space where you’ll feel listened to and understood. And because humor makes everything more bearable, be prepared to laugh and joke a bit too!