Shawn Gates: Psychology Of Sport: Concussions

Good piece Shawn. Lot of things I didn't realize when it comes to concussions.

Shawn Gates: Psychology Of Sport: Concussions
- shawn_gates

Well written, great job. As someone who has had several head injuries, and been treated for the symptoms that followed, I know how much this can impact a person's livelihood.

I appreciate that you clarified that concussions aren't always caused by direct contact to the head. I hope James Tanner reads this blog and learns something from it.

Thanks for sharing this. I'm going through vestibular, visual therapy along with dealing with depression, short term memory loss and semi impaired motor skills after receiving what is believed to be my 8th concussion 17 mos. ago. These things have ripped my life apart. Anything that spreads the truth about TBI's is great to see.

Thanks for sharing this. I'm going through vestibular, visual therapy along with dealing with depression, short term memory loss and semi impaired motor skills after receiving what is believed to be my 8th concussion 17 mos. ago. These things have ripped my life apart. Anything that spreads the truth about TBI's is great to see.
- cranktheradio

Sorry to hear this. All the best to you in your recovery.

Thanks for sharing this. I'm going through vestibular, visual therapy along with dealing with depression, short term memory loss and semi impaired motor skills after receiving what is believed to be my 8th concussion 17 mos. ago. These things have ripped my life apart. Anything that spreads the truth about TBI's is great to see.
- cranktheradio

Check out Dr. Mark Gordon if you haven't already and best of luck in your recovery.

Thanks guys. I've been lucky that I have UPMC right here. I've seen the best specialists and am finally getting my normal "everyday" life back together. After 3 leaves of absence from work it was getting pretty frustrating. Also, as part of my recovery they want me working out a bit and doing a lot of normal life activities. However, I'm not released back to work due to the overwhelming sensory integration issues. People have a really hard time understanding where the line of what you can and can't do is....especially when you "seem" normal a lot of the time.

Shawn Gates: Psychology Of Sport: Concussions
- shawn_gates

Great article Shawn.
To add to point #2 it is not only a force impact that is to blame. The 'old theory' of a contre coup (ie-the brain smashing off the skull) has been put to one side for now. Most of the research seems to be pointing towards torsional force of the upper cervical spine, and as such the brainstem. The torsional force is thought to cause microtears in the brainstem and is the likely cause of the visual, balance and other sensory issues.
Crosby is an interesting case. I actually know one of the guys who got him back from his last major concussion. A lot of what they did was to stabilize/normalize the upper neck and then re-trained his learned movements in a way that help lay down 'new tracks' in the cerebellum. An example he gave was as follows:

Sidney Crosby pre concussion could stand in the high slot and pick corners at will if you gave him a bag of pucks and called out where you wanted them to go. Post concussion having him do the same thing would do very little to get him back on track. As such we had to challenge him in a way his body did not know already. As such we had him stand on a bosu ball on one leg and fire pucks. This brought in balance in a different way while doing an action he was quite comfortable with. This helped to train his brain to revitalize a pathway.

I'm not saying they have it all figured out... but there sure is some interesting things coming down the pipeline. Clarke MacArthur is another interesting case as well http://www.sportsnet.ca/h...e-extra-relief-macarthur/

Great article Shawn.
To add to point #2 it is not only a force impact that is to blame. The 'old theory' of a contre coup (ie-the brain smashing off the skull) has been put to one side for now. Most of the research seems to be pointing towards torsional force of the upper cervical spine, and as such the brainstem. The torsional force is thought to cause microtears in the brainstem and is the likely cause of the visual, balance and other sensory issues.
Crosby is an interesting case. I actually know one of the guys who got him back from his last major concussion. A lot of what they did was to stabilize/normalize the upper neck and then re-trained his learned movements in a way that help lay down 'new tracks' in the cerebellum. An example he gave was as follows:

Sidney Crosby pre concussion could stand in the high slot and pick corners at will if you gave him a bag of pucks and called out where you wanted them to go. Post concussion having him do the same thing would do very little to get him back on track. As such we had to challenge him in a way his body did not know already. As such we had him stand on a bosu ball on one leg and fire pucks. This brought in balance in a different way while doing an action he was quite comfortable with. This helped to train his brain to revitalize a pathway.

I'm not saying they have it all figured out... but there sure is some interesting things coming down the pipeline. Clarke MacArthur is another interesting case as well http://www.sportsnet.ca/h...e-extra-relief-macarthur/
- mlindsay

Yes, that is certainly an interesting body of research that's coming down the pipes, and that very much supports the fact that we cannot afford to look at concussions in a one dimensional manner. There are many variations in how this can go down and looking at cookie cutter causes or treatments is not the way to go, right? Speaks to the value of proper assessment and individualized treatment. Thanks for sharing!