Concussion Physiotherapy in Fernie BC

At Ridgeline Physio, we’re dedicated to helping people in Fernie who are struggling with concussion symptoms. Our goal is to help you get back to your life as normal. Our concussion programs include assessment, treatment, and education, so you can feel confident about getting active again.

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What is a Concussion?

Concussion injuries are a type of mild traumatic brain injury that cannot be seen on routine x-rays, CT scans or MRI’s.

A concussion occurs when the head is forced to move rapidly due to a blow or jarring of the head, neck, face or body.  Many people relate concussion injuries to sports such as football, rugby and hockey, but concussions can easily happen at home too. We assess and treat an equal number of people who suffer a concussion at work or at home due to falls and falling objects.

At Ridgeline Physio, we know that concussions can have a significant impact on quality of life. We take even mild concussions very seriously, and can give you the treatment and knowledge to get back to normal as quickly as possible.

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How to Recognize a Concussion

  • Mechanism of Injury: Jarring of the head or a blow to the head, neck, or body

  • Loss of Consciousness (Knocked Out): Although loss of consciousness is a clear indicator of a concussion, you do not need to have lost consciousness to have a concussion.

  • Headache

  • Nausea or vomiting

  • Memory Impairment

  • Dizziness

  • Vertigo

  • Fogginess

  • Blurred vision

  • Sensitivity to light or sound

  • Balance Issues

  • Fatigue/Tired/Low Energy 

  • Ringing in the ears 

  • Memory Problems

  • Problems concentrating 

  • Thinking slowed down or “in a fog” 

  • Sleep Disturbance (more or less than usual)

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How Can Physio Help a Concussion?

Concussions can impact individuals across many different areas of the brain. Each person’s concussion is going to have slightly different symptoms, so each person’s treatment looks different. Treatment will be individualized to your needs. 

Treatment can include: 

  • Vestibular Rehabilitation

  • Visual Rehabilitation

  • Balance Training 

  • Planning and Pacing Education

  • Aerobic Exercise

  • Strength and Conditioning Exercise

  • Graded Return to Exercise and Sport 

  • Return to Work/School Planning

  • Neck Pain Management

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First Steps if You Have a Concussion

  • Stop the activity immediately. Continuing risks making the concussion more severe and symptoms longer-lasting. Do not return to play the same day.

  • Get checked out by a medical doctor as soon as possible.

  • Rest for 24-48 hours. This is the time to rest your brain and your body. That means no work/school/screens. After this begin light cognitive and physical activity.

  • See a physiotherapist who specializes in concussion care as soon as possible, ideally within 3-days of your injury. Early access to care can significantly reduce the risk of prolonged concussion symptoms.

  • Start aerobic exercise such as walking or stationary cycling for 20mins/day as tolerated as soon as possible. Go as slow as you need to not increase your symptoms more than 2/10 above your baseline.

  • As you’re recovering from a concussion, you want to slowly expose yourself to activities that may irritate your symptoms. The goal is to challenge your brain without making your symptoms significantly worse. This might mean limiting activities such as exercising, driving, screen time, work or school.

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Do you know how to recognize the signs and symptoms of a concussion? Read more in our Blog.

Important Resources

  • "After a crash on my mountain bike, I sought help to manage my concussion symptoms. I am glad I found Emily. She is knowledgeable and very thorough. I appreciate that she guided me through the concussion protocol to ensure I could confidently get back on my bike, and she also focused on strengthening exercises for my neck to improve my overall fitness. She is kind, calm and supportive. You feel you are in good hands and on the right path to recovery. Thanks for the help, Emily."

    Laurence S.

  • "Emily treated my daughter who presented with severe concussion symptoms and was able to bring her back to a fully functional life. Emily is kind, patient and knowledgeable. We were thankful to find this level of concussion care in Fernie and my daughter felt very comfortable with Emily."

    Viviane B.

Physiotherapy

Clinical Services We Offer

Vestibular Physiotherapy
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