Concussion is a very common condition in the United States accounting for 80% of all traumatic brain injuries with as many as 3.8 million injuries occurring yearly from sport-related events alone. Although the vast majority of individuals with a single concussion recover within days to weeks, a significant minority develop long-term problems which collectively are known as post-concussion syndrome. Recent evidence suggests that repetitive concussions, which are commonly seen in professional sports, can be associated with progressive cognitive, psychiatric and motor degeneration, which has recently been termed chronic traumatic encephalopathy. This full one-day course will include addressing clinical assessment and management, understanding better the role of neurocognitive testing in returning athletes to school and play, rehab treatment including assessment and treatment of cervical injuries, vestibular and vision problems in concussion, among other important topics in related to all concussion. Physicians and other clinicians need to be familiar with signs and symptoms of concussion in order to identify injured patients. It is important that they know when and when not to refer these people and for what as well as where. They also need an understanding of when to clear patients with suspected concussion to return to sporting and work/life activities. Clinicians treating patients with suspected concussion need to be aware of the limitations of standard neuroimaging technologies regarding diagnosis and prognosis of concussion and advances that have been made in the field. Physicians and clinicians need to understand the cervical injuries that occur as a result of concussion and how to assess and manage them. This seminar will end with two hours of record keeping. LEARNING OBJECTIVES The student will leave have a better understanding regarding the brain structures and functions that are most vulnerable to trauma. They will leave with a more defined understanding of the major steps in assessing patients with brain trauma. The participants will develop a more in-depth knowledge of key clinical features of concussions. This new knowledge will provide them with a deeper appreciation for the relationship between brain trauma and dementing illness such as Alzheimer’s and chronic traumatic encephalopathy. We will go over the rehabilitation strategies most likely to improve outcomes in patients with brain trauma, as well as information that can be utilized to improve patient care and patient outcomes. Identify chronic post-concussion problems and determine which patients to treat or refer to other health care professionals for additional treatments and determine who’s appropriate to refer to therapy services such as vestibular, vision, cervical physical therapy and psychology. We will also look at what if any are the benefits of chiropractic care and should it be included in the care of patients with concussions in conjunction with their other care.
