Concussion

Concussions can be unpredictable, sometimes resolving completely on their own or lingering much longer.

We can help you with wide-ranging treatments that restore your physical mobility, cognitive function and emotional resilience.

If you have experienced a concussion or traumatic brain injury (TBI) within the past three months, and you've been evaluated or referred by a physician when you were injured, we are here to treat you. 

Concussion symptoms

Preventing a concussion

You’re at greater risk of having another concussion if you’ve already had one. Take these steps to stay safer:

• Always wear a seat belt 
• Install the proper safety seat, booster seat or seat belt for children
• Never drive under the influence of drugs or alcohol
• Wear a helmet while cycling, on a motorcycle, playing contact sports, skiing, horseback riding and snowboarding
• Reduce your risk for falls by eliminating clutter and installing grab bars in the bathroom

Concussion treatment at UCI Health

The treatments available for you at our dedicated concussion and TBI clinic are holistic, spanning several subspecialties. If you visit our emergency department or trauma services with a concussion, you will also be referred to our clinic. 

We determine what treatment you need based directly on your unique test results. Besides advanced medication for headache, we may recommend:

• Neuropsychological counseling
• Occupational rehabilitation
• Physical therapy
• Lifestyle changes 
• Speech therapy

Some common questions we get from our concussion patients are, “When can I get back to work?” or “What’s my future risk of cognitive decline?” The answers will come as you embrace your recovery.

How you benefit from treatment

When your head is hit hard enough to create a concussion, your brain shakes. That impact can damage brain cells or introduce chemical changes that undermine your thinking, behavior and feelings.

We help you regain functioning in literally every aspect of your life so you can return to living it. Clearer thinking, improved speech or physical coordination, getting counseling and emotional relief are all part of our comprehensive care.

Why choose UCI Health for concussion care?

Our monthly team conference focuses on you

All the clinicians who treat concussion meet every month. We discuss each case, including the tough ones, from the point of view of our own specialties. We note how you’re progressing, gather new treatment recommendations, if any, then bring those back to you.

We specialize in concussion and treat a high volume of patients

That volume of experience is vital for proper diagnosis. It helps us recognize and treat subtle concussion symptoms that could otherwise get overlooked, delaying your care. 

You benefit from deeply-practiced experts who use the wisdom they’ve earned from hundreds of previous cases. 

Our neurologist-led dedicated concussion clinic is a rarity

We’re the only adult concussion clinic in Orange County. But our full range of services are also rare across the U.S. Primary care doctors, sports doctors and other neurologists send their concussion patients to us. 

We don’t only measure outcomes with fancy functional tests

Of course we use standard, evidence-based methods to examine your progress. But we take your subjective opinion about how you feel to heart as another true benchmark. 

Using standardized questions, we ask how you feel about a return to work, driving and enjoying social connections again. These are important indicators that bring your successful concussion treatment to life.