Why Choose University Of Utah Health for Concussion Treatment?
Our Concussion Program is comprehensive with the region’s leading concussion specialists. We are a multidisciplinary team that focus on rapid access to a provider to address symptoms and determine if additional care or services are needed:
- Medical doctors
- Physicians assistants
- Advanced nurse practitioners
- Physical therapists
- Speech therapists
- Vision therapists
- Rehab psychologists
- Concussion baseline testing
All of these providers have specialized training in the management of concussions.
Referrals
If needed, our team of highly trained concussion specialists can also provide recommendations and referrals for:
- speech therapy for cognitive rehabilitation;
- physical therapy for vestibular, balance rehabilitation, headaches, or neck pain; and
- occupational therapy for vision rehabilitation.
Signs of a Concussion
- Appears dazed or stunned
- Confused
- Clumsy
- Slow to answer questions or slurred speech
- Loss of consciousness (evenly briefly)
- Shows behavior or personality changes
Concussion Services & Treatment
We offer the following services and treatments for people who have a concussion:
- Medical provider, such as a doctor, nurse practitioner, or physician assistant
- Speech therapy for memory, attention, and problem solving
- Physical therapy for headaches, neck pain, vestibular rehabilitation, and balance training
- Occupational therapy for vision rehabilitation
- Rehab psychology for anxiety, depression, and coping strategies
- Neuropsychological testing for assessing strengths or weaknesses in your cognitive state as it relates to concentration/attention, memory, language, reaction time, perception, reasoning, and planning
Our Locations
We offer services and treatments for concussion patients at the following locations (please note: not all services are provided at every location):
Craig H. Neilsen Rehabilitation Hospital
- Medical provider
- Rehab psychology
- Neuropsychological testing for cognitive assessment
Farmington Health Center
- Medical provider
- Physical therapy
- balance
- vestibular rehabilitation
- headaches
- neck pain
South Jordan Health Center
- Medical provider
- Physical therapy
- balance
- vestibular rehabilitation
- headaches
- neck pain
Sugar House Health Center
- Physical therapy
- balance
- vestibular rehabilitation
- headaches
- neck pain
- Speech therapy
- Occupational therapy
- vision rehabilitation
- Rehab psychology
University Orthopaedic Center
- Medical provider
- Physical therapy
- headaches and neck pain
- Baseline concussion testing (ImPACT only)
Find a Concussion Specialist Near You
What to Expect at Your First Appointment with a Concussion Specialist
During your initial visit, one of our specialized providers will thoroughly review your injury, recent symptoms, and will complete a physical examination based on your injury. From these findings, we will provide recommendations for treatment to address your symptoms.
Screening & Analysis
Depending on your injury, we will conduct some of the following screenings and analyses during your first appointment:
Imaging tests (if recommended)—Imaging may include X-rays to look for fractures of the bones of the head/neck or other areas involved. MRI/CT scans may be recommended to look at the brain for bleeding or swelling.
Head and neck screening—This screening will look at your ability to move your head and neck in all directions and assess if there are areas of pain/discomfort or restriction. If there are problems, it typically indicates joint or muscle involvement. Your provider will determine if this is concerning and will require further follow up.
Symptom report scale—It is important for providers to determine what symptoms you are experiencing and to what degree to make appropriate recommendations. This will also help your provider track your progress over time.
Vision screen—You provider will be looking for abnormal eye movements (difficulty looking in different directions, scanning back/forth or up/down, holding your gaze on a target). Some individuals will experience dizziness, headache, nausea, or fogginess with this screening.
This will help the provider determine if you need to see a physical therapist for vestibular therapy or a vision therapist.
Balance screen—After a concussion you may experience the sensation of disorientation, dizziness, or feeling off-balance. Your provider will complete testing to look at your ability to balance in different conditions to determine if you need to see a physical therapist for balance training.
If you are referred to a specialist, you may also complete tests that analyze your reaction times, memory, problem solving and cognition.
How to Make an Appointment
To schedule an appointment, please call our central phone number 801-581-2221. Please notify the representative that you are calling for our concussion team/program.
