• Home
  • ABOUT
    • Bio
    • Buzz
  • Music
    • Shows
    • Videos
    • Download
  • Shop
    • Merch
    • Album
    • Digital Singles
  • Connect
    • Contact
  • Concussion
    • My Concussion Story
    • Brain Injury Resources
  • You Carry Me Project

Caitlin Cusack

  • Home
  • ABOUT
    • Bio
    • Buzz
  • Music
    • Shows
    • Videos
    • Download
  • Shop
    • Merch
    • Album
    • Digital Singles
  • Connect
    • Contact
  • Concussion
    • My Concussion Story
    • Brain Injury Resources
  • You Carry Me Project
Back to all posts

Concussion Types + Providers

An Introduction to Concussion Recovery:

Please note that I am not a medical professional. My goal is to help spread awareness about concussion recovery and aid in facilitating conversations between concussion & traumatic brain injury survivors and their healthcare providers.

 

A Basic Outline of Concussion Types & Potential Treatment Providers

 

According to this article from the National Library of Medicine, The 7 Clinical Phenotypes of Concussions** that warrant the need for evaluation and potential treatment can be described by this acronym: COACH CV (outlined below). I’ve included notes with suggested treatment providers I’ve discovered on my journey with help from resources posted by TBI Survivor Molly Parker, PT, DPT.

 

 

C: Cognitive Function

Common symptoms: memory problems, decreased attention, difficulty concentrating, slowed mental processing speed. Emotional function should also be assessed by your doctor.

 

Treatment Providers: Speech Therapist, Occupational Therapist, or Neuropsychologist.

 

 

O: Oculomotor Manifestations (Visual)

Common symptoms: problems with visual pursuit, convergence, screen viewing, and light sensitivity. It may be necessary to get a referral to an eye doctor an optometric assessment.

 

Treatment Providers: Neuro-Optometrist, Occupational Therapist, or Physical Therapist with training in vision.

 

 

A: Affective Disturbances (Depression)

Common symptoms: increase in depressed mood and anxious thoughts. There is a big overlap between symptoms of depression and concussion - it is important to consider your history with depression, anxiety, and mood disorders and check in with your doctor about your mood and emotional developments during your recovery. 

 

Treatment Providers: Psychologist, Naturopath for hormones & diet, Counselors/Therapists who specialize in depression, anxiety, trauma, even EMDR. 

 

 

C: Cervical

Common symptoms: neck pain, headaches, dizziness, balance difficulties. There is also a big overlap of whiplash and concussion symptoms, so it is important to have a physical assessment of the cervical spine and neck range of motion after concussion.

 

Treatment Providers: Physical Therapist, Chiropractor, Osteopath.

 

 

H: Headaches

This is the most common symptom reported after concussion! There are multiple types of headaches and treatments outlined below. This is not an exhaustive resource.

  • Post-concussive 
    • pressure/pain increases typically front or both sides of head as you exceed your brain’s capacity
    • Addressed by implementing planning and pacing (such as the spoon theory) for your cognitive tasks typically with an occupational therapist or speech therapist
  • Cervicogenic 
    • pain originating from neck muscles or joints
    • Can be treated by a physician, physical therapist or chiropractor
  • Occipital neuralgia 
    • pain originates from the occipital nerve at the base of your skull/back of neck
    • Often associated with cluster headaches
    • Can be treated by physician, physical therapist, chiropractor
  • Inflammatory 
    • dull, aching head pain that can be similar to migraine 
    • chronic inflammation issues can be addressed with anti-inflammatory diet
    • Can be treated by physician, naturopath
  • Sinus/Allergy/Ocular 
    • pressure/pain around eyes and/or front of face, may be confused with migraine
    • Can be treated by physician, physical therapist, optometrist, chiropractor
  • Migraine 
    • light & sound sensitivity, can last for days, may or may not have an aura
    • Causes may be genetic, hormonal, neurological, inflammatory, musculoskeletal
    • Can be treated by physician, physical therapist, chiropractor 
  • Tension 
    • pressure, tight band around head
    • Causes can be postural, stress, poor sleep
    • A common diagnosis that blends with other headache types listed above
    • Can be treated by a physician, physical therapist, psychologist

 

 

C: Cardiovascular

Common symptoms: Exercise intolerance, heart rate problems, fatigue, autonomic system anomalies (dysautonomia), and POTS (postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome).

 

Treatment Providers: Medical Doctor, Physical Therapist, Chiropractor.

 

 

V: Vestibular

Common symptoms: dizziness, vertigo, balance problems. Often paired with visual symptoms associated with the oculomotor manifestations.

 

Treatment Providers: Vestibular Therapist, or an Occupational or Physical Therapist who have training in vestibular therapy.

 

 

**The 7 Clinical Phenotypes of Concussions article was written in 2017 and our knowledge about concussion and brain injury recovery continues to evolve and improve. Find the PDF here.

03/15/2023

  • Leave a comment
  • Share

Leave a comment

Join our mailing list for the latest news

  • Log out
Powered by Bandzoogle

notes
0:00/???
  1. 1
    Quiet My Mind - OUT NOW 2:51
    0:00/2:51
  2. 2
    California Spring 3:49
    Your price

    California Spring

    Caitlin Cusack

    Please choose a price: $ USD ($1.29 or more)

    Please pay at least $1.29

    Out of stock
    0:00/3:49
  3. 3
    3. Waiting 3:31
    Your price

    3. Waiting

    Caitlin Cusack

    Please choose a price: $ USD ($1.29 or more)

    Please pay at least $1.29

    Out of stock
    0:00/3:31
  4. 4
    4. Things Change 3:42
    Your price

    4. Things Change

    Caitlin Cusack

    Please choose a price: $ USD ($1.29 or more)

    Please pay at least $1.29

    Out of stock
    0:00/3:42
  5. 5
    5. How Far Can I Go 2:52
    Your price

    5. How Far Can I Go

    Caitlin Cusack

    Please choose a price: $ USD ($1.29 or more)

    Please pay at least $1.29

    Out of stock
    0:00/2:52
  6. 6
    I'll Be Okay 4:32
    Lyrics
    In cart Not available Out of stock
    0:00/4:32
0:00/???