Concussions
Symptoms of a sports concussion are not always obvious and knowing when it is safe for an athlete to return to play is not always clear. Sending an athlete back into the game too soon may expose the player to a second concussion, which increases the risk for a more severe brain injury.
Atlantic Sports Health’s concussion services include:
- Advanced imaging, including computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)
- Educational resources for parents, athletes, coaches and athletic trainers
- Nutrition consultation for post-concussive syndrome
- Return to play protocol (RTP) sports performance training, including individualized, sports-specific heart rate training zones, balance testing and ImPACT™
- Sports psychiatry and psychology
Our medical team of neuropsychologists, neurologists, athletic trainers, board-certified sports physicians, researchers, physician assistants and nurses has developed a comprehensive approach in the assessment, treatment and prevention of sports-related concussions, utilizing both neuropsychological evaluation and balance testing.
Neuropsychological Evaluation
Our program uses this diagnostic procedure to assess cognitive abilities, such as attention, memory, reasoning, language and perception. As part of this evaluation, we utilize Immediate Post-Concussion Assessment and Cognitive Testing (ImPACT™) – a computerized test that accurately detect sports-related concussions. We are recognized as a credentialed ImPACT consultant.
ImPACT analyzes memory, brain processing speed, reaction time and post-concussive symptoms. It also enables doctors to conduct a 20-minute baseline evaluation of an athlete’s neuro-cognitive state, which physicians and athletic trainers can revisit in the event of a concussion during the season and determine when it is safe for the athlete to return to play. This ultimately helps the recovery process and prevents repeated concussions.
Balance Testing
Atlantic Sports Health can evaluate the three major parts of your body’s balance system, which includes your ability to:
- determine touch, temperature and your body’s position in space (somatosensory)
- balance or maintain equilibrium (vestibular)
- see movement (visual)
To measure an athlete’s balance after concussion, we use a series of timed tests known as the balance error scoring system and programs such as the Biodex Balance System SD™ and the Play It S.A.F.E.® concussion management program.
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