SERVICES > OT FOR POST-CONCUSSION SYNDROME
Edmonton Occupational Therapy and Rehabilitation for Post-Concussion Syndrome and Activity Limitations
Practical Skills for Daily Living
Occupational Therapy and Rehabilitation for Post-Concussion Syndrome and Activity Limitations
A concussion is a change to brain processing because of a direct or indirect impact to the brain. Although most concussion victims recover within days or weeks from their injury, some will suffer long afterwards. This phenomenon is called Post-Concussion Syndrome (PSD), and sometimes mild Traumatic Brain Injury (mTBI).
Symptoms usually fall into the categories of
- Cognitive
- Attention
- Memory loss
- Trouble concentrating
- Difficulty with multi-tasking
- Sleep
- Initially sleeping more than usual
- Later developing difficulty falling asleep
- Mood and Behaviour
- Irritation
- Anxiety
- Depression
- Physical
- Headaches
- Neck pain
- Dizziness
- Sensitivity to light and sound
You may have difficulty completing daily activities at home and at work.
Post-Concussion Syndrome Example
A 48-year-old woman, formerly a nurse practitioner and avid cyclist, suffered a head injury in a near collision with an automobile. Out of work and unable to help out significantly at home, she was referred for occupational therapy to help recover.
We complete an occupational therapy assessment to identify her problems and set goals. Her problems include loss of cognitive functions, trouble with vision such as lost of depth perception and difficulty seeing objects in her left field of vision, having sensitivity to light and sound, and feeling sadness and having difficulty regulating emotional responses.
The client’s goals are to:
- Increase tolerance to light and sound
- Have better regulation of feelings and emotions
- Improve focus and concentration
- Help out more at home
- Return to work, if only part time
- To increase participation in physical activity
Why Choose Action OT?
Experienced
We specialize in rehabilitation for people with post concussion syndrome issues. We have extensive education, training and experience in helping people overcome their physical and mental health limitations.
Inspired
Our clients enjoy the process of working with our occupational therapists to help them rehabilitate and return to work. We care about and respect our clients when providing effective, client-centred assessments and treatments.
Practical
We also understand how your benefits work and what services will be covered. We can help you communicate with other healthcare professionals. When appropriate, we can also help you with work exploration, job coaching, and workplace ergonomic changes.
How Occupational Therapy and Rehabilitation Can Help Post-Concussion Syndrome
Occupational Therapy will help develop strategies to manage symptoms, including patient education, graded exposure to stimuli, meditation, exercises, and counselling. Referrals will be made as necessary, for example physiotherapy for continuing physical symptoms and neuro-optometric rehab for visual problems.
Our occupational therapists assess your strengths and limitations. We work with you to monitor progress in your physical and mental health and to help you gradually return meaningful activities and to work, if possible.
We help you manage your pain by setting goals, identifying values, activities and roles that are meaningful to you. We gradually work towards getting you back to your normal life through graded activities, exploration, and mindfulness.
We identify equipment and minor home renovations that may help you with any physical barriers that might be aggravating your pain or limiting your independence.
In some cases, a family member may take on the role of caregiver. We provide support to caregivers to assist their ability to provide the most effective support, without burning out.
We help you return to an appropriate productive role, such as hobbies, volunteering or returning to work.
We may refer you to other complementary health treatments, such as physiotherapy, psychological counselling, nutrition, supervised fitness programs, and/or therapeutic yoga.
