Myths vs. Facts

MYTH: You have to hit your head to sustain a concussion.

FACT. A hard blow to the head, neck, face, body, or jaw can cause a concussion. Anything that moves the brain in the skull through a hard impact can lead to brain injury.

MYTH: Imaging can diagnose a concussion.

FACT. Acute concussion cannot be seen on standard imaging, MRI, or CT scans. Today, imaging is rarely ordered in the acute phase of an injury (initial week), but may be ordered later (several weeks following an injury) to look for alternative diagnosis if a patient is still reporting symptoms.

MYTH: Neuro-cognitive testing (ImPACT testing) and other modes of assessment (King-Devick Testing, Vestibular Ocular Motor Screening) can diagnose a concussion.

FACT. All testing post-concussion are tools that are used to help a physician reach a diagnosis. These types of testing do not diagnose a concussion, a physician does. The testing comprehensively along with a thorough physician exam and symptom assessment give the physician confidence in making a diagnosis and appropriate treatment plan.

MYTH: Every concussion I have should heal in the same amount of time.

FACT. ALL brain injuries heal at different speeds. Evidence shows, that with every concussion, risk of more prolonged recovery increases. Recovery timelines are often extended with each subsequent concussion especially if the first concussion never healed properly or was cleared for to early to return to activity.

RWJBarnabas Health Ambulatory Care Center
200 South Orange Avenue
Livingston, NJ 07039
(973) 322-7000
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RWJPE Sports Medicine New Jersey
186 County Road 520
Suite 3
Morganville, NJ 07751
(732) 946-2100
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RWJ Sports Physical Therapy at Princeton
743 Alexander Road
Suite 2
Princeton, NJ 08540
(609) 419-0455
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Cooperman Barnabas Medical Center
94 Old Short Hills Road
Livingston, NJ 07039
(973) 322-5000
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Monmouth Medical Center
300 Second Avenue
Long Branch, NJ 07740
(732) 222-5200
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Clara Maass Medical Center
1 Clara Maass Drive
Belleville, NJ 07109
(973) 450-2000
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Community Medical Center
99 Highway 37 West
Toms River, NJ 08755
(732) 557-8000
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Newark Beth Israel Medical Center
201 Lyons Avenue at Osborne Terrace
Newark, NJ 07112
(973) 926-7000
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Children's Hospital of New Jersey at Newark Beth Israel Medical Center
201 Lyons Avenue at Osborne Terrace
Newark, NJ 07112
(973) 926-7000
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Jersey City Medical Center
355 Grand Street
Jersey City, NJ 07302
(201) 915-2000
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RWJ University Hospital Somerset
110 Rehill Avenue
Somerville, NJ 08876
(908) 685-2200
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RWJ Physical Therapy at Carteret
60 Cooke Avenue
Carteret, NJ 07008
(732) 969-8030
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RWJ Physical Therapy at Scotch Plains
2120 Lamberts Mill Road
Scotch Plains, NJ 07076
(908) 389-5400
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RWJ University Hospital Hamilton
1 Hamilton Health Place
Hamilton, NJ 08690
(609) 586-7900
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Monmouth Medical Center Southern Campus
600 River Avenue
Lakewood, NJ 08701
(732) 363-1900
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RWJ Physical Therapy at New Brunswick
100 Kirkpatrick Street
New Brunswick, NJ 08901
(732) 545-0494
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The Matthew J. Morahan III Health Assessment Center for Athletes
200 South Orange Avenue
Suite 002, Lower Level, East Wing
Livingston, NJ 07039
(973) 322-7913
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RWJ Rehabilitation Lawrenceville
4152 Quakerbridge Road
Lawrenceville, NJ 08648
(609) 245-7420
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Jersey City Medical Center Rehabilitation Services
100 Town Square Place
Suite 208
Jersey City, NJ 07310
(201) 915-2000
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