Concussion Management
Ottawa Health Group is now recognized by Complete Concussion Management Inc. (CCMI) and joins a network of clinics around the world offering evidence-based concussion care. From initial pre-season multimodal baseline testing to concussion treatment and rehabilitation, our partnered CCMI practitioners collaborate with primary care physicians to co-manage concussions, helping patients and athletes safely Return to Learn, Work and Play.
We are certified providers in Complete Concussion Management.
How Complete Concussion Management Works
Through collaboration between trained healthcare practitioners, educated coaches, and trainers, and informed parents and athletes, the Complete Concussion Management system educates and empowers all those involved in sport to recognize concussions, and take the necessary steps to help an athlete safely return to sport.
What is a concussion?
A concussion is a brain injury caused by acceleration or deceleration of the brain within the skull following a significant impact to the head or elsewhere on the body. The impact causes a biochemical imbalance within the brain cells, resulting in decreased blood flow and temporary energy deficits within the brain. Symptoms may include loss of consciousness, headache, pressure in the head, neck pain, nausea or vomiting, dizziness, or balance problems, among others.
Concussion Treatment
Multimodal Baseline Testing
Multimodal baseline testing is a series of physical and cognitive tests that provides a pre-injury overview of healthy brain function. These tests can offer healthcare practitioners with an objective benchmark on which to compare should a patient sustain a concussion.
As concussion symptoms often disappear days to weeks before the brain has recovered, having valuable baseline information may help practitioners to make safer return to play decisions.
Concussion Tracker Smartphone Application
Patients can view baseline test results, find recognized CCMI clinics, learn recovery tips and receive prescribed rehab exercises through the free Concussion Tracker App. Coaches, trainers, and teachers can administer an assessment of a suspected concussion, report the injury into a CCMI clinic, and track patient recovery. The app supports a safe return to learn, work and play by allowing for seamless communication between sports teams, schools, parents and healthcare practitioners.
Download the Concussion Tracker App here!
Complete Concussion Management Network
The CCMI network of recognized clinics provides standardized, evidence-based concussion care to those impacted by, or at risk for concussion. All recognized clinics and practitioners are connected through a secure Electronic Medical Record (EMR) system, allowing access to patient medical files. Through this integrative technology, patients can be confident that they will receive consistent, quality care at any CCMI clinic location. Contact the Ottawa Health Group to book an appointment with one of our certified practitioners and understand how baseline concussion testing can benefit you and your family now and into the future.
For more information, visit www.completeconcussions.com.
CONCUSSION MANAGEMENT
As concussions have become the focus for both professional and amateur athletes around the world, the Ottawa Health Group wants to be at the forefront of concussion diagnosis, management, and rehabilitation.
In collaboration with Complete Concussion Management, which provides concussion education, we offer the very best in research-proven concussion treatments and rehabilitation.
What exactly do we do when it comes to concussions?
SERVICES:
- The most comprehensive baseline testing anywhere
- Post-injury diagnosis and injury management
- Concussion rehabilitation for chronic symptoms (Post-Concussion Syndrome)
- Coach & trainer education and certification programs
What is a concussion?
A concussion can be simply defined as a disruption in neurological functioning following a significant impact to the head or elsewhere on the body. This causes a biochemical imbalance within brain cells as well as decreased blood flow and temporary energy deficits within the brain. Studies have shown that any activity, both mental and physical, in the immediate days following concussion can delay the process of recovery and should be avoided until the athlete is completely symptom-free.
What is baseline testing?
The biggest concern surrounding concussions comes from the energy deficit that occurs in the brain following injury. When the brain is in this low energy state, it has been well established that the brain is extremely vulnerable to additional trauma, where even smaller impacts can lead to another concussion; and these second concussions can cause severe brain injuries with potentially permanent or fatal outcomes.
The problem is that symptoms (meaning how someone feels) do not coincide with brain recovery. The only way to know when the brain has fully recovered and out of this “vulnerable period” is to compare current brain function to when the individual was healthy; this is what is known as a “baseline test”.
A baseline test is a battery of tests that measures every area of brain function that could potentially become affected following a concussion. The reason that the test is termed a “baseline” is that it is done BEFORE the athlete gets injured. In order to know when an athlete has fully recovered, Our practitioners first have to know where they were when they were healthy. Without having this information, there is no way to truly know when an athlete has fully recovered and is safe to return to their sport.
Concussion Tracker Smartphone Application
Athletes and concussed patients can now log in to view their baseline test results as well as receive rehabilitation exercises, diet plans, and other recovery tips to help them along the way. The app also allows the injured patient (or their parents) to have around the clock communication with the treating clinician as well as provide an update on their symptoms and progress every single day…all from your phone!
For more information about Complete Concussion Management, visit their website.
