Concussion Assessment

Concussion Assessment

If you think you or someone you know has suffered a concussion and present with any of the following symptons, contact us for an assessment

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Headache

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Dizziness/ unsteadiness

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Vomiting or nausea

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Sleep disturbance

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Balance issues

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Tinnitus/ ringing in ears

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Light/noise sensitivity

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Brain fog

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Difficulty concentrating

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Issues with problem solving or planning/organizing

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Mental fatigue

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Moodiness

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Anxiety/ depression

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Irritability or agitation

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Excessive sleeping or inability to sleep

If you are concerned about concussion, book an assessment or Baseline Test now

Persistent Concussion Symptoms 

What is it and how do I know if I have it?

While it is normal to experience multiple symptoms after a concussion, symptoms often resolve spontaneously within 10-14 days. Persistent concussion symptoms are when you are experiencing prolonged symptoms of concussion which often interfere with your day-to-day activities. If your symptoms do not fully resolve within 14 days of a concussion, we highly encourage you attend Unley Concussion Clinic for a comprehensive assessment for guidance on how to manage your concussion from here.

What Does an Assessment Involve?

Our job is to assess your situation, utilising the latest evidence and validated technology now available to us and provide a plan for rehabilitation. Given the mechanism of a concussion injury, one or multiple body systems can be affected. At Unley Concussion Clinic, we will complete a thorough assessment of your symptoms to identify what systems are affected to best direct your rehabilitation.
What does an initial assessment involve?
Our experienced physiotherapists will complete a thorough assessment to determine what systems may have been affected by your concussion. We allow 1 hour for our assessments and they include
  • Screening questionnaires (physical, psychological)
  • Vestibular assessment
  • Visual assessments (eye movements)
  • Neck range of movement, pain/ whiplash assessment.
  • Balance and coordination
  • Exercise tolerance assessment
We understand the importance of a multidisciplinary approach in concussion management and work closely with other health professionals to assist you in returning to what is important to you. Our team will refer you to other relevant health professionals, if and when it is appropriate to do so. These may include a neurologist or neurosurgeon, occupational therapist, orthoptist or ophthalmologist, neuropsychologist or GP.

Unley Concussion Clinic Assessment

From dealing with a concussion, recovering from a fall and facing a degenerative neurological condition, to managing stress, fatigue and poor mental health; helping the brain function optimally during such times is vital.

Concussion Testing at Unley Concussion Clinic with Amelia Bishop

Amelia Bishop

Clinical Lead Physiotherapist

M. Physiotherapy, B. Exercise & Sport Science, Member APA Neurology Group
Amelia (Millie) is one of the key faces you will see at Unley Concussion Clinic when you come in for your baseline test or concussion assessment.
Having completed a Bachelor of Exercise & Sport Science at Uni SA and her Masters of Physiotherapy at Flinders University previously, Amelia has extensive experience working both with athletes in high performance settings and in the general public in neurological rehabilitation.
Millie has a keen interest in concussion assessment and management as well as vestibular rehabilitation, having completed extensive training in each of these areas. As well as supporting elite sporting teams (including SANFL and AFL) with their concussion management, Millie is passionate about community education around concussion related issues.

 

We are part of the Your Brain Health Community, a network of providers aiming to deliver a higher standard of evidence-based concussion care globally. Your Brain Health have assisted and guided the creation of our assessment and rehabilitation protocols. We follow Your Brain Health guidelines for baseline assessment and their team is able to assist us when baseline screening large groups such as for schools or sports clubs.

Baseline Concussion Screenings

Baseline concussion screenings are a vital part of our approach. These screenings, which include brain health history, vestibular ocular motor screenings, balance and reaction time assessments, allow us to establish a starting point for your brain health. This baseline makes it easier for us to reassess, assisting with the diagnosis and appropriate management of concussions.

Why Baseline Testing Matters

Baseline testing is important because it provides us with a snapshot of your brain health before any injury occurs. This allows us to compare your current status to your baseline, allowing for more sensitive analysis of any deficits or dysfunctions that may be present post-injury. This leads to more targeted rehabilitation and the ability to track you back to your healthy baseline, leading to improved decisions in regards to return-to-play and return-to-learn. Targeted rehabilitation also leads to quicker recovery and improved outcomes. 

Comprehensive Concussion Assessments

Concussions can affect multiple body systems, which is why our clinic provides comprehensive assessments that accurately identify these areas. Our assessments are multimodal, meaning that we look at a variety of factors to ensure that we understand the full extent of your injury.

Concussion Assessments
Concussion Clinic