Navigating Your Brain Through Recovery

Navigating-Your-Brain-Through-Recovery

Navigating Your Brain Through Recovery

Without a true diagnostic tool, blood biomarker, or special imaging (MRI, CT) that can diagnose concussion, clinicians have to rely on tools to assess different areas of the brain to determine any potential functions of the brain that can be compromised. Your brain supports every movement and major function in life including functions as crucial as the ability to breathe. Each lobe of the brain is responsible for different roles such as speech, reading, distinguishing between colors, balance, coordination, sleep, memory, behavior, and hearing. At the Morahan Center see how we are combating second impact syndrome by assessing every aspect of your brain.

Every brain heals at a different pace and over a different time span. Some brains can take weeks or months to heal, while others can experience long term symptoms that last years and even decades. The rate of recovery can be altered by psychological issues, Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), gender, and other variable factors. Extended recovery timelines can occur with subsequent concussions as well as failure to report symptoms or comply with management plans. It is very important to report symptoms honestly for this reason.

Avoiding long-term issues following a brain injury is largely dependent on ensuring the first concussion heals correctly. During a concussion one or several areas of the brain can be affected. Each area of the brain controls different functions for movement, motor skills, coordination, vision, and daily function.

Evaluating function in each lobe of the brain can address its ability to process and recall information as well as understand recovery rates of the brain as it responds to stimulus.

Return to Learn and Play

The New Jersey Interscholastic Association (NJSIAA), American Academy of Pediatrics, and American Academy of Neurology support progressive return to activity guidelines issued by the International Conference on Concussion and Sport. Guidelines implement that before practice and game play progressive active and academic return must be clinically prescribed and supervised prior to return to sport or school.

Once cleared to return to activity by a physician trained in the evaluation and management of concussions has been given, the following Stepwise program of physical activity should follow. The program should be progressed under clinician and physician supervision.

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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