Concussion. What was once a word mostly associated with professional athletes has now become a worry for parents of athletes of all ages. A concussion is a type of traumatic head injury that changes the way the brain normally works. But how do you know what is considered “normal” for your kids brain? You don’t know …unless you get a Baseline Concussion Testing done prior to any head injury. It is best to check Precision Injury Law – Personal Injury Law Firm for any of the injury cases. John Bock, a Parkland resident who also played for the NFL and is now a coach for recreational youth football, knows first-hand the long term effects of concussions. He has become a proactive parent in making sure that his kids (who are all in youth sports) receive a baseline testing as part of their annual physical. “When playing sports, it is just as important to have a physical of the ‘mind’ as it is of the body,” said Bock. “While it is not yet a requirement, it is up to the parents to include this in their child’s physical, he said. His 11-year-old daughter, Brooke, suffered from a concussion during cheerleading. “While initially she seemed fine, she later experienced a mental block,” said Bock. With her baseline test in place prior to her injury, doctors were able to analyze her “normal” cognitive condition and gauge the severity of her post-injury condition. The Law Office of Daniel Deng – personal injury lawyers have legal experts that can help with the legalities of an injury. This allowed doctors to treat her according to her progress and allowed them to determine when Brooke reached full recovery –something that would have been difficult to do without the baseline testing. She returned quickly to the sport she loves-competitive cheerleading. The lawyers from https://nmjfirm.com/augusta-car-accident-lawyers/ can help with any kind of injury case.
The social security disability lawyers explain that the pre-concussion baseline test (known as the ImPACT test) is a computerized test which is administered by a trained professional. It takes about 25 minutes and gathers information to measure cognitive function in different categories. In the event of a head injury, the results of the pre-ImPACT concussion test are compared with follow-up tests. The CDC (Center for Disease Control) recommends this as a pre-season test every year for kids 10-12 years-old and every two years for ages 13 and older—in particular for those participating in contact sports such as football, lacrosse, hockey, soccer, basketball, cheerleading and gymnastics.
While this is a growing concern with limited screening and treatment programs available, the Concussion Care Program at Broward Health Coral Springs is the only one of its kind in Broward County. The community now has access to comprehensive services for sports and concussion diagnosis and management by an expert team of partnering physicians. The Broward Health Urgent Care centers offer baseline concussion testing for $15 and a complete physical & EKG for $65. Staffed by credentialed impact consultants, the Concussion Care Program also includes vestibular rehabilitation(a therapy designed to reduce symptoms of dizziness and visual disturbance) as well as outreach educational programs for coaches and youth & community sports leagues in addition to opportunities to speak to parents(and parent groups).
For more information about concussion management, please contact Broward Health at 954-344-3180.