Concussion Foundations
Concussion Foundations
CE Hours: 12
Understand Concussions from the ground up. This course covers the fundamentals: The Acute Neurometabolic Cascade of Concussion, healing timelines/outcomes, and meaningful measurements.
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Description
A concussion is complex, especially when one considers the physical and physiological sequelae. This course will aim to distill the most common and meaningful tests and interventions that the average MSK provider can implement to help their patients who have experienced a concussive event.
What You Will Learn
Concussions are complex, if not hard to define. So what are all the pieces we'll need to know?
- The Neurometabolic Cascade of Concussion
- Timelines for symptom resolution
- Return to Learn/Work/Play protocols
- Meaningful History and Intake
- What to do with the 1 in 3 people who experience ongoing symptoms (Post Concussive Syndrome/Symptoms)
Objectives
- The first indication that someone has a concussion or Post Concussion Syndrome (PCS) is during an intake and history.
- Learn what to look and listen for.
- Learn what tests to perform during a physical exam and what their outcomes mean.
- A unique feature of concussive events is that there are very few symptoms that are unique to the injury; nearly everything can be explained by pathology or disturbance in other physiological or anatomical processes. Learn to determine what's meaningful and what's not.
- If you're relying on the SCAT form and an outdated understanding of what a concussion is, you're missing massive opportunities to help your patients improve, symptomatically and experientially. Find out what we need to leave behind, re-orient, and re-frame.
- Work through 5-10 real case studies to show the specifics of how each case is managed so that you feel more prepared when "that case" walks in the door.
- If you've ever adjusted a concussion patient or performed an aggressive examination, you know that concussion patients are very easy to make symptomatically worse. We will explore where to begin and how to proceed with concussion patients.
Curriculum
NOTES (Please Download)
- Notes Packet (Please Download)
Introduction
- Introduction to Concussion Foundations
Definition, Mechanisms, Criteria, Signs & Symptoms
- Definition
- Mechanism(s)
- Inclusion Criteria, Signs & Symptoms
- Quiz 1
The Neurometabolic Cascade of Concussion
- Neurometabolic Cascade of Concussion
- Spreading Depression and Typical Timelines
- Neurometabolic Quiz
- Optional Download: Physiological Time to Recovery after Concussion
PCS: Post Concussion Syndrome/Symptoms
- P.C.S.
- Optional Read: PCS
- PCS Quiz
History & Screening
- Meaningful History
- Screening
- “Post-Concussion Syndrome (PCS) – Validated Symptom Measurement Tools”
- Dr Ben's Post-Concussion Symptom Scale Online Form
- PCSS Form and Spreadsheet
Physical Exam - Cervical Spine
- Sun-Downing
- Cervical Spine: Structural Considerations
- C-Spine Functional: JPET 1
- Joint Position Error Sense How-To
- JPET + Head-Neck Differentiation Test
- Head-Neck Differentiation Test How-To
- HNDT + Smooth Pursuit Neck Torsion Test
- SPNT How-To
- SPNT Wrap-Up
- Cervical Spine: Reminders
- Optional Downloads & Reading
- Cervical Spine Quiz
Physical Exam - Vestibulo-Ocular
- Vestibulo-Ocular 1
- Dix-Hallpike How-To
- Supine Head Roll How-To
- Vestibulo-Ocular 2
- Saccadic Intrusions Demonstration
- Vestibulo-Ocular 3
- VOR 1
- Head-Thrust Test Positive
- VOR 2
- Gaze Stabilization Test How-To
- VOR 3
- Thumb Twists How-To
- VOR 4
- VOMS 1
- VOMS How-To
- VOMS 2
- VOMS Guide
- A Study to Consider
- Vestibulo-Ocular Test
- Optional Downloads & Reading
Motor Function?
- Motor Testing
- Optional Instructions: Dynamic Gait Index, Functional Gait Assessment, BESS
Physical Exam: Autonomic/Physiological Testing
- Physiological/Autonomic 1
- BCTT How-To
- Physiological/Autonomic 2
- BCTT Manual
- BCTT Research
- BCTT Quiz
Exam: Psychology/Wellness Thoughts
- Bonus: Psychosocial
Intervention - Intro, Rest, Cervical Spine
- Rest
- Education
- Cervical Spine
- Intervention Quiz #1
Intervention - Vestibular ad Oculomotor
- BPPV 1
- Modified Epley Maneuver How-To
- BBQ Roll How-To
- BPPV 2
- Accommodation & Convergence 1
- Pencil Pushup How-To
- Accommodation & Convergence 2
- Brock String How-To
- Accommodation & Convergence 3
- Smooth Pursuits & Saccades 1
- Saccade Rehab How-To
- Smooth Pursuits & Saccades 2
- Saccade Follow-Along Exercises Level 1
- Smooth Pursuits & Saccades 3
- Smooth Pursuit Beginning Rehab
- Smooth Pursuits & Saccades 4
- Smooth Pursuit Follow-Along Exercises
- Smooth Pursuits & Saccades 5
- VOR, Gaze Stability, and Motion Sensitivity
- Vestibulo-Ocular Quiz
- Sample Visual Tracking Online Exercises
Intervention - Autonomic & Exertional
- Up is Up and Down is Down
- Optional Downloads and Reading
- Autonomic Intervention Quiz
Intervention - Motor Function
- Motor Rehab?
Prioritization, Monitoring, and Progress
- Prioritization, Monitoring, and Progress
Return Protocols
- Return to Work
- Parachute: Return to Work Strategy
- CATT Return to Work Strategy
- Return to School
- Parachute: Return to School Strategy
- CATT Return to School Strategy
- CATT Return to Learn Form & Guide
- Return to Sport
- Parachute Return to Sport Strategy
- CATT Return to Sport Plan
- Return Protocols Quiz
Case Studies
- Case Studies
Research
- Top 5 Articles to Read on Concussions
Outtro, Short Topics, and Thank You
- Outtro, Short Topics, and Thank You
- 5-Question Exit Survey
Instructor
Dr Benjamin Stevens
DC, BSKin, CSCS
Dr Stevens has taught and attended hundreds of courses all across North America on a broad array of topics. He found his way to Somatic Senses naturally through continual involvement in the industry and drive to improve. In operating Somatic Senses, he aims to find the impactful, evidence-based and/or cutting edge approaches to health and bring them to the masses through course work.Dr Stevens has presented on a variety of topics for a wide variety of organizations such as professional sports teams, national and provincial health associations, as well as plethora private groups of trainers and therapists.He resides in Kelowna, BC where current areas of interest include neuroscience, concussion, Blood Flow Restriction, Return to Sport, and Strength & Conditioning.In his spare time you'll find him in the gym, touring the backcountry (summer and winter alike), juggling kettlebells at the beach, or spending lots of time with his wife and daughter.
