Concussion Care: A Guide to Safer Play and Effective Recovery
If you have a young athlete in your life, then you’re probably aware that concussions can pose a significant risk to their health and well-being. A hard tackle in a football game, a slip on the ice during a hockey match, or an incorrectly performed soccer head check: all can potentially lead to a concussion.
Concussions are classified as “mild” traumatic brain injuries, which has made some people think they’re less serious than they are. In reality, “mild” in this context merely means non-life-threatening. Concussions can actually cause a range of physical, emotional, and cognitive symptoms. If left untreated, they can lead to long-term memory, mood, balance, and performance issues.
That’s why we take concussions seriously at Leaps & Bounds. With a full-time practitioner dedicated to concussion care and a multidisciplinary team offering various treatment options, we’re committed to helping athletes of all ages recover fully and return to activity safely.
We’re Honored!
We proudly took home Gold for Physiotherapy, Silver for Massage Therapy, and Bronze for Chiropractic Care. These awards reflect the trust and support of our amazing community—and we couldn’t be more grateful. Thank you for believing in our team and allowing us to continue helping you move, heal, and thrive! Check out all the winners here.
Stay Tuned!
We’re thrilled to share that we’ve been recognized in the Oakville Beaver Reader’s Choice Awards—currently in the nomination phase! Be on the lookout for the print edition in your local Oakville Beaver newspaper coming soon. Want to show your support? Visit oakville.thereaderschoice.ca to check out the nominations!
Our Concussion Specialists
Dr. Roslyn Eng, DC, Hons BSc Kin
Doctor of Chiropractic
Andrew Convery, BAHSc Hons AT, CSEP-PT
Certified Athletic Therapist (C)
Pat Stanziano, MPT, Hons BScKin, Cert MDT, Dip Sport Physio
Registered Physiotherapist, Sport Physiotherapist
Carolina Rotondo, MPT, Hons BSc, Cert MDT
Registered Physiotherapist
Exploring Concussions in More Depth
Concussions occur when a blow or jolt to the head or body causes the brain to rattle around inside the skull, causing mild damage that can temporarily affect brain function. Concussions can occur after:
- Car accidents, particularly after whiplash-type injuries
- Sports collisions
- Falls or slips
- Bike accidents
- Sudden impacts
Our Patients Are Getting Results
“I found Leaps and Bounds about three weeks after I suffered a concussion. My entire life had come to a standstill and I needed a solution. After my initial consultation and a few treatment sessions, life was already back on track!! Thanks to Andrew! Andrew is not only extremely knowledgeable in concussion management and recovery, but also empathic, supportive and kind. Concussions can be complicated and scary so having someone like Andrew guiding you with strategies and exercises is so important for your physical recovery and mental wellbeing. If you find yourself in this situation, get help! Having a partner to help you through is crucial!” – Sheena
How to Spot a Concussion: Signs You Shouldn’t Ignore
One of the biggest myths about concussions is that they cause a brief loss of consciousness. While this is certainly true sometimes, it’s not a guarantee. So, someone not losing consciousness after a fall or hit doesn’t necessarily mean they’re in the clear.
One thing that is true about concussion symptoms is that they can vary wildly depending on which part of the brain is affected. Furthermore, symptoms don’t always develop right away. Some can take hours or days to appear.
If you (or someone you know) experienced one of the injuries above, watch closely for the following signs over the next few days. Even a single symptom is worth checking out, as prompt evaluation can make a big difference in recovery.
Physical Symptoms
- Headache or pressure in the head
- Nausea or vomiting
- Dizziness or balance problems
- Blurred vision
- Sensitivity to light or noise
Cognitive Symptoms
- Confusion or difficulty concentrating
- Slowed thinking
- Memory issues
Emotional & Sleep-Related Symptoms
- Mood swings or irritability
- Anxiety or sadness
- Sleeping more or less than usual
- Trouble falling asleep
How We Help Prevent and Manage Concussions
We take concussions seriously at Leaps & Bounds. Here are just a few of the unique benefits we offer:
- Baseline Testing: Baseline testing measures an athlete’s normal brain function before an injury occurs. We encourage athletes to have a baseline test performed before the start of the season. That way, if you suffer an injury, we can more easily determine if you have a concussion, how it’s affecting you, and when it’s safe to return to play. This is especially important for high school athletes, who may be more prone to repeat concussions if they return too soon.
- Full-Time Concussion Practitioner: We have a full-time practitioner on staff who understands the complexities of concussion care. This allows us to provide comprehensive concussion services, including the following:
- Post-injury assessment and re-testing
- Symptom tracking and education
- Return-to-school and return-to-play planning
- Coordination with coaches, teachers, and parents
- Preseason Prevention: Concussions don’t have to be an inevitability. While there’s no way to prevent all concussions, you do have options for reducing risk. Before fall sports start up, spend some time on preseason concussion prevention with our team. Some of the techniques we might utilize include:
- Neck strength and stability training
- Education on safe play techniques
- Mobility and balance work to reduce falls and impacts
- An Integrated Approach to Care: Concussion recovery can affect multiple areas, such as vision, balance, movement, mood, and memory. Our integrated team blends physiotherapy, massage therapy, and chiropractic care to provide comprehensive concussion treatment programs. For example, a massage therapist can help relieve headaches, while a physiotherapist can guide you through a progressive, monitored exercise program.
Get Started on Concussion Prevention Today
Summer is a great time for high school athletes to start thinking about concussion prevention. But even active adults can benefit from baseline testing and other concussion prevention services! Schedule an appointment with Leaps & Bounds to learn more about your options.
Help Us Help Our Community
This month we will be raising money for the Oakville Fareshare Foodbank! We will donate $10 for every Google review we receive!
Recipe of the Month: Mediterranean Ground Beef Stir Fry
Ingredients:
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 red bell pepper, deseeded and diced
- 1 pint cherry tomatoes, sliced in half
- 8 ounces baby spinach (small tub)
- 4 garlic cloves, minced
- 2 green onions, thinly sliced, white and green parts separated
- 1 pound ground beef
- ½ teaspoon dried oregano
- kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
- 2 tablespoons crumbled feta, (optional)
Directions:
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Cook the tomatoes and bell pepper. Heat the oil in a large pan on medium-high heat.
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Add the bell pepper and cherry tomatoes and saute for 4 to 5 minutes, until the tomatoes are blistered and saucy. Add the garlic and stir another minute. Add the spinach and white parts of the green onion. Note that the spinach will take up most of the pan, but it will wilt down.
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Stir for another 2 to 3 minutes, until the spinach has wilted. Remove these veggies to a plate. Add the ground beef, oregano, salt, and black pepper to the pan, and use a spatula to break up the meat. Cook the ground beef until it’s browned, then drain off any excess grease.
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Transfer the veggies back to the pan, add the green parts of the green onion, and stir until warmed through.
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Garnish with crumbled feta before serving.