When it comes to sports, concussions and traumatic brain injuries are an ever-present risk even in non-contact sports. However, that isn’t the only place where someone can sustain a concussion. With the impact on brain function, motor skills and overall quality of life that one or more concussions can have on a person, concussion prevention becomes an important part of taking care of you and your family’s overall health. With our concussion prevention and safety tips, you can reduce the risk of sustaining a concussion.
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Preventing Concussions in Contact Sports
Due to the nature of contact sports like hockey, rugby, football and lacrosse, it is impossible to completely eliminate the risk of sustaining a concussion. Sports equipment technology has come a long way in offering better protection against concussions, but they can’t eliminate the possibility. However, wearing equipment that is properly fitted and in full working order will offer the most protection it possibly could so make sure to keep sports equipment well maintained, and fix or replace any equipment that has broken parts.
Beyond equipment, it is the responsibility of sports coaches to teach their players proper techniques for contact. These techniques focus on how to play the sport while protecting the head. Also, teaching players to play the game fairly, safely and with good sportsmanship is important to keep players from altering their play to cause injury to other players.
Preventing Concussions in Non-Contact Sports
Sports like baseball and volleyball don’t have intentional person-to-person contact, but there are still ways in which concussions can occur. For example, a wild pitch can hit a batter in the head, or a hit ball could be fielded improperly resulting in the ball hitting the player in the head. In fact, over 50% of all concussions in highschool baseball in the US are a result of these two scenarios and the statistics are similar in Canada. A volleyball player could take a spike to the head or hit their head off the floor diving to play the ball. Similarly, to contact sports, using the right protective equipment will help in preventing concussions. Coaches will also need to teach proper game techniques that keep players from hitting their heads or taking hits to the head. Finally, players, coaches and facility administrators need to ensure that the playing field is free of tripping hazards
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Outside of sports, there are many ways that people can sustain concussions. Car accidents, trips and falls, and even bumping into things headfirst can be enough to cause a concussion. Be sure to take care going up and down stairs, and make sure to use gates at the top and bottom of stairs to prevent toddlers and infants from taking serious falls on stairs. Always be aware of your surroundings and watch out for things you or your child could bump your head into. When riding a bike or motorcycle, make sure to wear a properly fitted helmet at all times. They won’t always prevent concussions, but they will reduce the risk of serious brain injuries and skull fractures significantly.
Make sure you get your car inspected from time to time to ensure that the air bags are working properly. Passengers in the front seat should refrain from putting their feet on the dashboard as the airbags could send their knees right into the passenger’s head with such an extreme force that a concussion would be the least of their worries. Make sure that car seats for infants and toddlers are age and size-appropriate and that they are properly installed before putting a child in it. When taking kids to the park to play, choose to go to parks with playgrounds with soft surfaces such as mulch or sand rather than grass or dirt. That way, if they fall, they are less likely to sustain a concussion. Of course, it's also important to keep a constant eye on them and keep them from playing in an unsafe manner.
How a Concussion Clinic Can Help With Concussion Recovery
As previously mentioned, it is impossible to completely eliminate the risk of concussions, especially in sports. Following our tips for concussion prevention can help, but if you or a family member is unlucky enough to sustain a traumatic brain injury, a concussion specialist like our team at Broadview Spine & Health Centre can help make your recovery quicker and easier.
We can help through a wide range of treatments to improve any vision and motor skills deficiencies that have resulted from the concussion, as well as make nutritional recommendations that help improve cognitive function following a concussion. We will recommend foods that contain:
- Healthy fats
- Anti-inflammatory nutrients
- Sufficient caloric content
- Proteins and amino acids
- Vitamin E
- Curcumin
Having a proper nutrition plan, combined with concussion treatments is the best way to recovery from a concussion quickly.
Broadview Spine & Health Centre - Advanced Rehabilitation for Brain Injuries in Ottawa
At Broadview Spine & Health Centre, we make it our mission to treat patients with concussions to restore their quality of life. We offer comprehensive diagnostic and treatment plans that are custom tailored to the specific concussion symptoms you're experiencing. The result is a strong bounce-back and a quick return to your normal life. If you have sustained a concussion recently or have an old concussion that is still affecting you, contact us today to book an appointment and get highest standard in concussion treatment in Ottawa.
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