Head
We have extensive experience in the treatment, rehabilitation and preventative management for concussion and other head specific concerns.
Below provides a list of common conditions associated with the head. Each patient requires an individual assessment to determine the exact type of injury, it’s causes and any rehabilitation program required. During an appointment with either a Doctor or a Physio you can expect the following assessment questions:
-
History of the pain, including location, severity, referred pain, things that make the pain worse or better.
-
A family history
-
Previous similar or related injuries
-
Occupational or Sporting activities
-
Previous treatments
-
Physical inspection of the head and any necessary scans
If you have long term headaches or have recently suffered a concussion type injury we strongly recommend you book an appointment with one of our Sports & Exercise Physicians. Please inform reception in the case of concussion injuries.
Disclaimer
The common conditions below and the associated information have been produced as a guide only. They do not replace the judgement of a clinician. The below information should never be relied on as a substitute for proper assessment with respect to the particular circumstances of each patient. Patients should consult with an appropriate clinician as soon as practicable post injury to avoid complications.
Common Conditions
Description
Description
Concussion is a minor head injury caused by force to the head. Most people who have concussion will recover on their own within 2 weeks, but complications can occur. It is important that people with concussion rest and that their recovery is monitored.
Concussion is a common head injury in contact sports, such as Australian rules football, rugby league and rugby. People can also be concussed in anything with a risk of falls, such as horse riding, cycling and skiing.
People can also get concussion outside of sports. This can be a bang on the head from falling over, or from a sudden and vigorous movement of the head, such as a whiplash injury from a car accident.
People who have concussion may have:
- headache
- nausea
- dizziness
- problems with balance
- problems with attention
- loss of consciousness (30 minutes or less)
- confusion
- sensitivity to noise and light
- brief convulsions
- temporary memory loss
Treatments
If you have had concussion, it is important to see a doctor. Do not drive and don't take medicines like aspirin, anti-inflammatories, sleeping tablets and sedating pain medications until your doctor tells you it's ok. Your doctor may order a head scan. Some people are kept in hospital for observation. It is important that, after concussion, you are with other people until you recover.
If you have had concussion, you need to rest, both physically and mentally. Children should stay home from school and not use a computer or play video games. The return to school might need to be gradual. You can slowly return to normal mental and physical activities when you have had a minimum of 24 hours without any symptoms.
If you have had concussion, you should not play sport until you are fully recovered as the brain is more vulnerable to a more serious brain injury if another blow occurs. Anybody who is suspected of having concussion while they're playing sport should sit out the rest of the game.
Most people recover fully within 2 weeks. Some people have symptoms for longer.
A small number of people have longer-term complications. Some have symptoms that last a long time. Some get repeated concussions. People in these situations should see a doctor.
Our Sports Physicians are experts and the diagnosis and treatment for concussions. If you believe you have suffered a concussion please inform reception staff and they will find a same day appointment for you.
Description
Excessive strain caused by poor working postures (prolonged sitting, working in awkward neck postures) can irritate the upper joints of the neck and cause a headache. The joints can also be injured by trauma. This could be a sporting or recreational injury or a motor vehicle crash. In the late middle-aged to older age groups, osteoarthritis of the upper neck joints is another common cause of cervicogenic headache.
Neck pain and headaches are typically made worse by sitting or working for a long time in one (often poor) posture, and are typically aggravated by neck movements. The neck is tender and movements are often slightly restricted or stiff. About one-third of people with cervicogenic headache also report some light-headedness, unsteadiness or visual disturbances.
Treatments
Your physiotherapist will first undertake a full examination to determine if the headache symptoms fit the pattern for cervicogenic headache, and if there are problems with the joints and muscles, particularly in the upper part of the neck.
There are several possible results of this examination.
- The clinical examination might indicate that the headache is coming from the neck (cervicogenic headache), and physiotherapy treatment is the best management.
- The examination might suggest the headache is another type (eg, migraine or tension-type headache)—that is, the neck joints and muscles were found to be normal. In these cases, management by your GP is the primary treatment, and some physiotherapy methods such as relaxation therapy and soft tissue therapy may assist in management as part of a multidisciplinary approach.
- People with migraine and tension-type headaches may have problems in their neck that are independent of their headache. In these cases, physiotherapy treatment of the neck may offer some help in conjunction with treatment from one of our Sports Doctors.
Physiotherapists use a variety of treatment methods for best practice management of cervicogenic headache.
Education, advice and assurance
This is to ensure the person understands the nature of their headache, is assured of its benign nature, and has the knowledge to actively participate in the care of their neck.
Manual therapy
This is an effective treatment method used to help ease the headache, neck pain and any associated symptoms.
Exercise
The exercises are prescribed depending on your requirements, and are designed to:
- ease pain
- improve posture and postural habits
- improve movement and flexibility of the neck
- train the supporting muscles of the neck and shoulder girdle
- train strength and endurance of the neck muscles
- train balance, movement accuracy, as well as head and eye movement control when light-headedness or unsteadiness are symptoms of the headache disorder.
Advice for work and home
Prolonged and awkward postures, as well as poor lifting and carrying techniques will aggravate the neck pain and headache. Your physiotherapist works with you to develop best work, activity and lifestyle habits to relieve unnecessary strain on the neck.
