Sports-related Concussion

University of Iowa Health Care offers advanced concussion treatment for competitive athletes, people who have had multiple concussions, and people whose concussion symptoms won’t go away.

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For Orthopedics and Rehabilitation related requests:

1-319-356-2223

For all other requests:: 1-800-777-8442

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Every concussion, no matter how mild, is considered a traumatic brain injury. That’s because a sudden blow or violent jolt to the head can affect how your brain functions.

For many people, consulting with their primary care provider (and following their instructions) is all that’s needed to make a full recovery. But for others, the recovery process is more challenging—and requires specialized care.

You can get this specialized care from University of Iowa Health Care.

We’re home to a large team of sports medicine experts, rehabilitation specialists, and other providers with advanced training in complex sports-related concussion management. We routinely see children, teens, and adults from across the Midwest who need extra care and support to recover.

This includes people who:

Have long-term symptoms after a first-time concussion
Are having a hard time recovering after multiple concussions
Participate in school or professional sports, and need help creating a graduated return-to-play plan

Concussion symptoms

Concussion symptoms can vary by person, depending on which areas of the brain were injured. But most people will have one or more of the following:

Balance problems or dizziness
Blurred or double vision
Brief loss of consciousness
Disorientation or confusion
Drowsiness
Headache or a feeling of pressure in the head
Mood or personality changes
Nausea or vomiting
Sensitivity to light or noise

If you or your child took a blow to the head, see your regular provider as soon as possible or visit the nearest emergency room.

Most primary care and emergency room providers can diagnose a concussion with a physical and neurological exam. If necessary, they can also order tests to rule out serious complications (like a skull fracture or bleeding in the brain).

Signs you should seek advanced concussion care

With proper care, most concussions heal within one to three weeks. But for some people—especially those who have had more than one concussion—symptoms can last much longer.

If you’ve followed your provider’s care instructions but still have symptoms more than three weeks after your concussion, you should seek specialty care.

UI Health Care’s experienced concussion specialists can provide the care you need to overcome your symptoms and safely return to school, work, or play.

Concussion treatment from UI Health Care

Treatment for a standard concussion typically involves a lot of rest.

For example, you’ll need to take a break from any physical activity. It’s also important to temporarily avoid activities like watching TV, reading, or playing video games. These can trigger headaches or other symptoms.

Within several days or weeks, you should feel well enough to gradually add your normal activities back into your day.

However, if your symptoms are severe or long-lasting, you may need more than just mental and physical rest. You may also need specific treatments that can reduce your symptoms and help your brain heal.

A team approach to complex concussion treatment

UI Health Care is one of the few medical centers in the Midwest that offers multispecialty concussion care for people with persistent symptoms. Instead of seeing a single provider, you’ll have access to several experts who can address your unique medical needs and personal goals.

Depending on your symptoms, your tailored treatment plan may include one or more of the following:

Our neuropsychologists use special tests to see how your concussion has affected your memory, mood, and thinking abilities. Your test results help determine whether you’d benefit from treatments such as cognitive rehabilitation or antidepressants.

Our physical therapists are trained to help people who have ongoing neck pain or headaches following a concussion.

Our sports medicine specialists and athletic trainers will get you up and moving again at a safe pace. We use tests such as the Buffalo Concussion Treadmill Test to assess your exercise tolerance. We’ll then help you build a customized workout program.

Some of our physical therapists are certified in vestibular rehabilitation. They can teach you special exercises to help improve balance problems or dizziness.

We treat vision problems caused by brain injuries that can’t be corrected with glasses or contact lenses.

Supporting patients near and far

Our services are available to people of all ages who live in and outside of Iowa. However, if you prefer to undergo some of your treatments closer to home, we’ll try and connect you with specialists or services in your own community.

And if you take part in competitive sports, we can coordinate with your team’s athletic trainer. We’ll make sure they have your most recent test results and recommended treatment protocols.

Return to learn and graduated return to play for athletes

UI Health Care also offers a multistep concussion recovery process called return to learn and graduated return to play. It’s a medically supervised process that helps ensure an athlete’s safe, gradual return to the learning environment and competition.

The steps include:

Individualized academic adjustments as needed

Sports-related concussions may result in attention problems and inability to process information at your normal pace. In addition to transitioning back to sport, you may need a plan to transition to the learning environment. Return to sport should follow the return to learning.

Light aerobic activity

You’ll walk, jog, or use an exercise bike for a brief period of time.

Moderate activity

You’ll take part in moderate-intensity aerobic exercise and weight training.

Non-contact training drills

You’ll complete high-intensity aerobic and weight training routines, followed by non-contact drills specific to your sport.

Full-contact practice

You’ll complete one of your normal practice routines.

Return to play

You’ll receive all necessary clearances to return to competition.

To begin this process, you must be symptom-free for at least 24 hours—and then wait at least 24 hours between steps.

If you experience physical or mental concussion symptoms during any step, you’ll be required to stop and rest for at least 24 hours before trying that step again.

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Need help recovering from a concussion?

Whether you’ve had your first or multiple concussions or need help returning to the court or field, turn to UI Health Care. Our team specializes in treating people with challenging symptoms caused by complex concussions.

Call 1-319-356-2223 Request an appointment Refer a patient

Sports-related Concussion

Concussion symptoms

Signs you should seek advanced concussion care

Concussion treatment from UI Health Care