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More athletes turn to their physical therapists for guidance, treatment and the all-important clearance to return-to-play and return-to-learn activities. While Athletic Trainers provide the first line of defense for sports teams privileged to have them on staff, the individual’s family Physical Therapist is playing a growing role in the sports concussion management process.

The American Physical Therapy Association (APTA) agrees. In its latest amended position on concussion management in December, APTA wrote “Concussions have a significant impact on the health of individuals and society. APTA recognizes that physical therapists are part of the multidisciplinary team of licensed health care providers that provides concussion management.”*

Here are further details from APTA’s statement recognizing that concussion management includes:

• Education and prevention to minimize risk and increase awareness.
• Examination and evaluation to establish a diagnosis, treatment through implementation of a plan of care, monitoring of progress, and making return to participation decisions by using best available evidence and standards of care.
• An individual suspected of having a head injury and/or who has signs, symptoms, and behaviors of concussion should be immediately assessed for concussion by a licensed health care provider who is trained in the evaluation and management of concussion, and, if applicable, the individual should be immediately removed from participation in organized activity.
• The individual should not return to organized activity until he or she receives written clearance for return to participation from a physical therapist or other licensed health care provider who is trained in the evaluation and management of concussion.
• Selected activities involving physical or cognitive exertion unless a physical therapist or other licensed health care provider who is trained in the management of concussion has determined he or she should return to such activities.

In honor of National Physical Therapy Month, during the month of October, XLNTbrain is hosting a FREE information session for Physical Therapists. Participants will be eligible to address specific questions with neurologist Dr. Harry Kerasidis, co-Founder and creator of XLNTbrain Sport™ Concussion Management.

Click here to register for the Physical Therapists session.

References:
* American Physical Therapy Association. The Physical Therapist’s Role in Management of the Person With Concussion. (HOD P06-12-12-10)http://www.apta.org/uploadedFiles/APTAorg/About_Us/Policies/Practice/ManagementConcussion.pdf#search=%22concussionhouse position%22. Accessed December 12, 2016.

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