Physical Therapy
Physical Therapy will begin with an initial evaluation, where we will discuss your health history and goals for therapy.
Dr. Brown will perform assessments to determine any secondary deficits related to your head injury which are commonly visual, vestibular, neurologic or orthopedic in nature.
Following the exam, you and Dr. Brown will develop a treatment plan curated towards your goals and your current stage of recovery.
If you would like to learn more about the various elements of physical therapy at Reboot, please keep scrolling. If you would like to quickly jump to a section, use the links below!
Primitive Reflex Integration
Primitive reflexes are brainstem mediated reflexes that are responsible for complex movement patterns in the first year of life.
Retention or disinhibition of primitive reflexes can occur following a concussion, leading to symptoms commonly associated with a head injury.
Primitive Reflex Integration addresses visual fatigue and strain, motion intolerance, difficulty with coordination and concentration, and balance impairments.
When appropriately implemented, Primitive Reflex Treatment yields improved recovery rates and tolerance to advanced therapies.
See Dr. Brown’s article on Primitive Reflex Integration in post concussive management to learn more.
Vision Therapy
Visual disturbances are common, occurring in approximately 80% of concussions. Of those 80%, approximately 50% experience deficits lasting beyond 3 weeks post injury.
Vision therapy addresses neuromuscular control (eye movements) and accommodation (the ability for the eyes to focus together).
Addressing these impairments leads to improved tolerance to daily activities such as driving, reading, computer tasks, concentration and focus.
Vestibular Therapy
The vestibular system is responsible for detecting movement and position of your head in space.
Vestibular deficits contribute to complaints of dizziness, along with balance and coordination impairments.
Vestibular therapy utilizes specific exercises to address dizziness, balance impairments and motion in-tolerance to improve your quality of life and tolerance to your favorite activities.
Dysautonomia Therapy
Your autonomic nervous system (ANS) regulates involuntary physiological responses including blood pressure, heart rate, digestion, sleep, mood, and temperature regulation.
Dysfunction of the ANS is termed “dysautonomia”. Dysautonomia can be caused by several conditions including illness, inflammation, prolonged bed rest, and trauma such as a concussion.
Symptoms commonly associated with dysautonomia include impaired heart rate response to activity, shortness of breath, headache, lightheadedness, “brain fog”, chest pain, sleep disturbances, GI upset or visual changes.
Dysautonomic Therapy centers around structured exercise programming intended to aid your body in retraining the ANS to respond appropriately to workload.
Orthopedic Therapy
Orthopedic Interventions include more “traditional” physical therapy treatment options such as manual interventions for joint mobility, and exercises for strength and stability.
Whether you have neck pain from whiplash, or sustained an ankle injury in addition to your concussion, orthopedic treatment can be incorporated to improve pain, overall function and tolerance to activities.