The sports concussion team at Sports Medicine Umea is experienced in evaluating and treating people who've had traumatic brain injuries, including concussions. Sports medicine professionals trained in sports medicine, neurorehabilitation, physical medicine, orthopedics, physiotherapy, and psychology will work with you and your family to provide the best possible care. They understand the importance of providing a supportive environment while you undergo treatment and will make sure to keep you updated on your progress.

At our facility, we adopt a multidisciplinary strategy for attending to patients and prioritize swift assessment of children following a concussion to expedite their return to normal daily activities, which may include school and sports. Our approach encompasses the following measures: 
- Identifying concussions 
- Assessing for physical, cognitive, and emotional indications 
- Determining the appropriate time for athletes to resume playing 
- Recommending supplementary aid or assistance in school if required 
- Providing follow-up care

Athletes
It is advised by experts that if an athlete displays any signs or symptoms of a concussion, they should not resume playing or engaging in intense physical activity. This precaution should be taken especially when the individual is still experiencing symptoms related to the concussion, as it poses a higher risk of obtaining another concussion. Furthermore, it is recommended that youths who suffer from concussions seek evaluation from a healthcare professional specialized in handling concussions. It is also strongly advised that athletes of all ages do not return to play on the same day as their injury to prevent further harm and complications.

If one of your patients is experiencing a prolonged recovery period after a concussion, which lasts for more than 3-4 weeks, Sports Medicine Umea can provide assistance. Our comprehensive wrap-around service is designed to aid patients in their recovery journey. Our team of clinicians are available to offer intensive support or guidance as needed for your patient's specific situation. At Sports Medicine Umea, we offer a range of services including rehabilitation, coaching, physiotherapy and neuropsychology to support patients on their path to recovery. In instances where a patient's recovery is not progressing as planned, our team of neuropsychologists and medical specialists work together to diagnose and treat any lasting effects and provide additional answers.

We also assist patients who require more tailored treatment options such as home-based recovery, vocational rehabilitation or pain management support. We provide specialized training for those who need additional help regaining pre-injury activity levels or learning new ways to manage daily activities due to severe barriers to recovery. Our concussion service is available both nationally and internationally with a streamlined process in place to make it accessible to patients without delay. 

Make a referral

If you are a GP, team physician, emergency department physician or hospital-based specialist looking to refer someone to our Concussion Service, you can do so by completing the online referral form provided at the link below. Once submitted, a copy of the form will be sent to your email address. If you prefer, you can also send us the referral via email. 

In case you or a loved one has undergone a traumatic brain injury, such as a concussion, our Concussion Service is available for referral. You can refer yourself by filling out the online referral form provided in the link given below. Once submitted, an email containing a copy of the form will be forwarded to your email address. Alternatively, you have the option of sending us the referral through email if that suits you better.

Advantages of our service

Our service is staffed by highly qualified Neuropsychologists and Medical Specialists, who offer assessments and screening when necessary.
We provide rehabilitation services to assist your patients in returning to work.Our rehabilitation programmes are tailored to meet each patient's unique needs.
We take a multidisciplinary approach to ensure the best possible outcomes.

Download the Referral Form

Selected Research Publications from our researchers

A concussion refers to a type of brain injury caused by trauma that can impact the normal functioning of the brain. While the effects of a concussion are typically short-lived, they can manifest in various ways such as headaches, difficulty with concentration, memory loss, and issues with balance and coordination. Concussions are often sustained from a blow to the head or violent shaking of the upper body. Although some concussions may result in loss of consciousness, this is not always the case. It's common for individuals who engage in contact sports like football or soccer to experience concussions; however, most people recover fully after experiencing one.

What is a concussion?

A mild traumatic brain injury, known as a concussion, can occur due to a bump, violent jolt or blow to the head that disrupts normal brain function. Additionally, a hit to the body that causes forceful jerking of the head can also result in a concussion. This injury stretches and bruises nerves and blood vessels while creating chemical changes in the brain that lead to temporary loss of normal brain function. Typically, a single concussion does not cause permanent damage to the brain; however, repeated concussions throughout one's lifetime may result in structural changes within the brain. While concussions are not typically life-threatening, their effects can be severe and last for days, weeks, or even longer.

The brain tissue is pliable and soft in texture. It is encased by the cerebrospinal fluid, which acts as a buffer between the brain and the skull's rigid outer covering. A concussion arises when the brain undergoes bouncing or twisting within the skull or rapid back-and-forth movement similar to a whiplash that results in collision with the inside of the skull. This motion stretches and harms brain cells and brings forth chemical changes in the brain.

These injuries can cause temporary impairment of normal brain function, leading to signs and symptoms of a concussion. Car accidents, falls, and sports-related incidents are common causes of concussions. Any sport involving physical contact has the potential for causing a concussion. With children and youth, most concussions occur during playtime on playgrounds, while cycling, or engaging in sports such as football, basketball, ice hockey, wrestling, or soccer.

Individuals who are more susceptible to experiencing a concussion include:

• Elderly people and children under the age of 4 are prone to falling, hence they are at a higher risk.
• Adolescents may face bike accidents or head injuries while participating in sports activities.
• Individuals who have experienced a prior concussion.
• Individuals who have been involved in an automobile collision or victims of physical assault are also at risk.
• Military personnel are susceptible to explosive devices exposure.

Amongst all age groups, adolescents are at a higher risk of sustaining concussions. This could be attributed to the fact that their brains are still developing. Adolescents' neural pathways are still forming, and their necks are typically weaker than those of young adults or older individuals.

The most frequent sign is a headache. Other symptoms may include nausea or vomiting, confusion, temporary unconsciousness, problems with balance, dizziness, or lightheadedness.

You may experience double or blurry vision, ringing in the ears, sensitivity to light and noise, fatigue or drowsiness.

Your sleep patterns may change; you might sleep more or less than usual or have trouble sleeping.

You might also struggle with understanding and concentrating, feel depressed or sad, become irritable, nervous and anxious. You may feel like something is not right or be in a fog. Difficulty paying attention, forgetfulness and memory loss can also occur.

Typically, signs of a concussion become evident immediately following the head trauma. Nevertheless, certain indications may not manifest until several hours later. It is possible for symptoms to alter days after the injury, while others may arise when the brain undergoes stress due to activity.

In case an individual encounters any of the following symptoms following a head injury, whether it be a child or an adult, it is advisable to take them to the hospital or dial 112:

If you experience a severe headache or one that worsens over time, seizures or convulsions, unconsciousness lasting for more than a minute, severe dizziness or difficulty with balance and walking, vomiting multiple times, increasing confusion like difficulty recognizing people or places, clear watery discharge from the nose or ears, bloody discharge from the ears, numbness, tingling sensations or weakness in the arms and legs, unusual or irritable behavior, slurred speech, pupils that are bigger than normal or unequal in size, extreme drowsiness, difficulty waking up from sleep or fainting - it is important to seek medical attention immediately.

Your sports concussion care team

The team responsible for your sports concussion care comprises individuals with extensive experience in assessing and managing concussions. Working alongside you and your family, a group of professionals trained in sports medicine, neurorehabilitation, physical medicine, orthopedics, physiotherapy, and neuropsychology will be involved in developing an effective treatment plan tailored to your unique needs.

During the assessment of your head injury, your team will inquire about the incident that caused it and the symptoms you are experiencing. They will also conduct a neurological examination to evaluate various aspects of your health, including:

- Your neurological function and reflexes

- Your vision, eye movement, and reaction to light

- Your balance and coordination

- Your hearing

- Your strength

- The motion and tenderness of your neck muscles

To assess your cognitive abilities, verbal, written, or computerized tests may also be administered. These tests will gauge your problem-solving skills, thinking ability, memory, and concentration. During the assessment, you will also be inquired about any alterations in your mood, sleeping patterns or behavioral patterns that you may have encountered. Nonetheless, rest assured that all information gathered during the examination will be utilized to offer you the best possible care.

In the initial assessment of a concussion, it is not always necessary to conduct imaging through a CT scan or MRI since most of its effects are not visible through these tests. Nevertheless, such imaging procedures may be required if there are suspicions of severe consequences from the concussion, such as bleeding inside the skull, brain swelling, or injury to the spinal cord or cervical spine. In case of deteriorating symptoms, these tests might also be recommended. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) can also be utilized to detect alterations in your brain or diagnose any complications that might arise following a concussion.

Upon completion of the hands-on neurological examination, additional neuropsychological tests can be utilized to evaluate a student-athlete's readiness for school and sports. One such tool is the Immediate Post-Concussion Assessment and Cognitive Test (ImPACT). This computer-based exam measures an athlete's visual and verbal memory, reaction time, and processing speed. Performing a baseline test before a sport season and post-injury evaluations at various intervals can aid healthcare, educational, or sports organizations in documenting brain function and determining when it is safe for a student-athlete to resume activity. Analysis of the test results in comparison to the baseline test can assist with treatment decisions and gauge if brain function has returned to normal. The ImPACT test typically takes 30 minutes to complete.

Suffering from a concussion can be a scary and overwhelming experience, but it's important to know that there are steps you can take to help your brain heal and speed up the recovery process. Here you can find information on some of the most effective treatments for concussions, including rest, medication, and physical therapy. We'll also provide tips for managing symptoms such as headaches and dizziness, and discuss when it's safe to return to normal activities. If you or someone you know has suffered a concussion, read on for helpful information on how to promote healing and ensure a full recovery.

Recovery from a concussion requires both physical and mental rest. Although it is necessary to have more sleep and rest than usual, complete rest is not required. Studies have shown that excessive mental rest can prolong the recovery period and increase sensitivity to activities upon return. Rather than completely stopping activities, it is important to identify triggers that elicit concussion symptoms. Gradually reintroduce activities in small increments, being mindful of any symptoms that arise. Engaging in activities that do not worsen symptoms is acceptable while limiting those that do. Activities such as texting, reading, watching television, playing video games, listening to loud music, and any physical activity may trigger symptoms. As symptoms improve, additional activities can be gradually added back into daily routines.

Physical and mental rest

To facilitate recovery from a concussion, it is advisable to observe relative rest during the initial days. Your doctor will recommend physical and mental relaxation as the most suitable approach. For the first two days following a concussion, it is recommended that you practice relative rest by reducing activities that demand cognitive effort. However, complete inactivity, such as staying in a dimly lit room and avoiding all stimuli, is not helpful and should be avoided. Within the first 48 hours, it is best to minimize activities that require significant mental concentration, such as playing video games, watching TV, studying, reading, texting or using a computer if any of these exacerbate your symptoms.

It is important to refrain from engaging in any physical activities that exacerbate your symptoms, including general physical exertion, sports, or vigorous movements. Such activities should be avoided until your symptoms no longer arise. After a concussion, it is suggested that you gradually increase your daily activities such as screen time, provided they do not trigger your symptoms. You can begin with both physical and mental activities at a level that does not cause a significant deterioration of your symptoms. Studies have shown that light exercise and physical activity starting a few days after injury can accelerate recovery. But, until you are fully recovered, it is advisable to avoid any activities that carry a high risk of exposure to another head impact.

As you recuperate from a concussion, your doctor may recommend shortened school days or workdays, breaks throughout the day, or modified or reduced school workloads or work assignments. Your doctor may also suggest different therapies like rehabilitation for vision and balance problems or cognitive rehabilitation for thinking and memory issues.

As you start feeling better, you can gradually include more mentally demanding activities in your routine, such as increasing your workload or spending more time at school or work. Your physician will advise you on when it's safe to resume light physical activity. Typically, a few days after the injury, you may engage in light physical activities like using a stationary bike or light jogging before your symptoms completely disappear, provided that it doesn't exacerbate symptoms significantly. Once all concussion signs and symptoms have subsided, you can discuss with your doctor the appropriate measures to take for safely resuming sports. It is important not to rush back into sports too soon as this increases the likelihood of sustaining another brain injury.

In the aftermath of a concussion, headaches could arise in the days or weeks that follow. To alleviate discomfort, it is advisable to consult with your physician about the safety of taking painkillers.

It is not advisable to consume aspirin or nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), such as naproxen and ibuprofen immediately after a suspected concussion has occurred. These medications have the potential to conceal symptoms and cause blood thinning, leading to an increased risk of bleeding. In case pain management is required after a concussion has been diagnosed, it is safer to take paracetamol. It is important to keep a close watch on the symptoms.