Concussion Foundations

12 CE Hours, with lots of extras

A concussion is complex, especially when one considers the physical and physiological sequelae. This course will aim to distill the most common and meaningful tests and interventions that the average MSK provider can implement to help their patients who have experienced a concussive event. 

Course curriculum

  • 1

    Introduction

    • Introduction to Councussion Foundations
  • 2

    Definition, Mechanisms, Criteria, Signs & Symptoms

    • Definition

    • Mechanism(s)

    • Inclusion Criteria, Signs & Symptoms

    • Quiz 1
  • 3

    The Neurometabolic Cascade of Concussion

  • 4

    PCS: Post Concussion Syndrome/Symptoms

    • P.C.S.

    • Optional Read: PCS

    • PCS Quiz
  • 5

    History & Screening

    • Meaningful History

    • Screening

    • “Post-Concussion Syndrome (PCS) – Validated Symptom Measurement Tools”

    • Dr Ben's Post-Concussion Symptom Scale Online Form

    • PCSS Form and Spreadsheet
  • 6

    Physical Exam - Cervical Spine

  • 7

    Physical Exam - Vestibulo-Ocular

    • Vestibulo-Ocular 1

    • Dix-Hallpike How-To

    • Supine Head Roll How-To

    • Vestibulo-Ocular 2

    • Saccadic Intrusions Demonstration

    • Vestibulo-Ocular 3

    • VOR 1

    • Head-Thrust Test Positive

    • VOR 2

    • Gaze Stabilization Test How-To

    • VOR 3

    • Thumb Twists How-To

    • VOR 4

    • VOMS 1

    • VOMS How-To

    • VOMS 2

    • VOMS Guide

    • A Study to Consider

    • Vestibulo-Ocular Test

    • Optional Downloads & Reading

      FREE PREVIEW
  • 8

    Motor Function? Is it worth our time?

    • Motor Testing

    • Optional Instructions: Dynamic Gait Index, Functional Gait Assessment, BESS
  • 9

    Physical Exam: Autonomic/Physiological Testing

    • Physiological/Autonomic 1

    • BCTT How-To

    • Physiological/Autonomic 2

    • BCTT Manual

    • BCTT Research

    • BCTT Quiz
  • 10

    Exam: Psychology/Wellness Thoughts

    • Bonus: Psychosocial
  • 11

    Intervention - Intro, Rest, Cervical Spine

    • Rest

    • Education

    • Cervical Spine

    • Intervention Quiz #1
  • 12

    Intervention - Vestibular and Oculomotor

    • BPPV 1

    • Modified Epley Maneuver How-To

    • BBQ Roll How-To

    • BPPV 2

    • Accommodation & Convergence 1

    • Pencil Pushup How-To

    • Accommodation & Convergence 2

    • Brock String How-To

    • Accommodation & Convergence 3

    • Smooth Pursuits & Saccades 1

    • Saccade Rehab How-To

    • Smooth Pursuits & Saccades 2

    • Saccade Follow-Along Exercises Level 1

    • Smooth Pursuits & Saccades 3

    • Smooth Pursuit Beginning Rehab

    • Smooth Pursuits & Saccades 4

    • Smooth Pursuit Follow-Along Exercises

    • Smooth Pursuits & Saccades 5

    • VOR, Gaze Stability, and Motion Sensitivity

    • Vestibulo-Ocular Quiz

    • Sample Visual Tracking Online Exercises
  • 13

    Intervention - Autonomic & Exertional

    • Up is Up and Down is Down

    • Optional Downloads and Reading

    • Autonomic Intervention Quiz
  • 14

    Intervention - Motor Function

    • Motor Rehab?
  • 15

    Prioritization, Monitoring, and Progress

    • Prioritization, Monitoring, and Progress
  • 16

    Return Protocols

    • Return to Work

    • Parachute: Return to Work Strategy

    • CATT Return to Work Strategy

    • Return to School

    • Parachute: Return to School Strategy

    • CATT Return to School Strategy

    • CATT Return to Learn Form & Guide

    • Return to Sport

    • Parachute: Return to Sport Strategy

    • CATT Return to Sport Plan

    • Return Protocols Quiz
  • 17

    Case Studies

    • Case Studies
  • 18

    Research

    • Top 5 Articles to Read on Concussions
  • 19

    Outtro, Short Topics, and Thank You

    • Outtro, Short Topics, and Thank You

    • 5-Question Exit Survey

What are we going to learn?

Concussions are complex, if not hard to define. So what are all the pieces we'll need to know?

  • The Neurometabolic Cascade of Concussion

  • Timelines for symptom resolution

  • Return to Learn/Work/Play protocols

  • What to do with the 1 in 3 people who experience ongoing symptoms (Post Concussive Syndrome/Symptoms)

  • Meaningful History and Intake

Key Features

  • Meaningful History

    The first indication that someone has a concussion of Post Concussion Syndrome (PCS) comes from a meaningful intake and history. What should we look and listen for?

  • Specific Exam

    The key to a thorough intervention is a thorough history and insightful physical exam. What should we be looking for? What tests do we use and what do their outcomes mean?

  • Impairment Domains

    A unique feature of concussive events is that there are very few symptoms that are unique to the injury; nearly everything can be explained by pathology or disturbance in other physiological or anatomical processes. So, how do we know what's meaningful and what's not?

  • Myth busting

    If you're relying on the SCAT form and an outdated understanding of what a concussion is, you're missing massive opportunities to help your patients improve, symptomatically and experientially. What do we need to leave behind, re-orient, and re-frame?

  • Case Studies

    It's all fun and games until "that case" walks in the door. We'll go through 5-10 real case studies to show the specifics of how each case managed.

  • Interventions

    If you've ever adjusted a concussion patient or performed an aggressive examination, you know that concussion patients are very easy to make symptomatically worse. So how do we proceed? Where do we begin?

Instructor(s)

DC, BSKin, CSCS

Benjamin Stevens

Dr Stevens has taught and attended hundreds of courses all across North America on a broad array of topics. He found his way to Somatic Senses naturally through continual involvement in the industry and drive to improve. In operating Somatic Senses, he aims to find the impactful, evidence-based and/or cutting edge approaches to health and bring them to the masses through course work. Dr Stevens has presented on a variety of topics for a wide variety of organizations such as professional sports teams, national and provincial health associations, as well as plethora private groups of trainers and therapists. He resides in Kelowna, BC where current areas of interest include neuroscience, concussion, Blood Flow Restriction, Return to Sport, and Strength & Conditioning. In his spare time you'll find him in the gym, touring the backcountry (summer and winter alike), juggling kettlebells at the beach, or spending lots of time with his wife and daughter.