Our concussion prevention program keeps you safe on the field.
We want you to avoid the bench this season. Our concussion prevention program can make all the difference.
Did you know that the majority of baseline tests available, such as the SCAT5, are meant to alert a professional to concussion diagnosis but should not be used to make a return to play decision?
The reliability of many tools is only for the first 3-5 days. Tests return to “normal” before full recovery is finished. Your concussion recovery experience, like yourself, is unique.
What is Concussion Baseline Testing?
Baseline testing is a healthcare exam that tests your brain and balance systems. By having this exam completed at the beginning of the season we can have a baseline to measure any changes during the season.
Let's say you experience a concussion during a game or practice. Sometimes it's hard to know how severe your injury has been. By having this baseline testing completed before your injury, it gives us the knowledge, with a high level of precision, how far off you are from safely returning to the game. We evaluate your brain and balance systems that are affected when you have a concussion against your baseline test results.
Baseline testing does not protect an individual from injury and is not a replacement for qualified, experienced and interdisciplinary care.
Is Baseline Testing Required?
No ...and ...Yes!
Parachute Canada, a national organization with a mission for preventing injuries, released a Statement on Concussion Baseline Testing in Canada. Parachute states that “baseline testing is not required […] and not recommended”. In game and practice situations, “Recognize and Remove” is recommended. Recognize a potentially injured athlete and remove them from play. Isaac Physiotherapy therapists follow this practice with or without baseline testing, reserving diagnosis until a thorough exam in a clinic can be completed.
In contrast, The International Concussion in Sport Group states in their 5th Consensus Statement that “Baseline testing may be useful…”
By having baseline testing completed before your injury, it gives us the knowledge, with a high level of precision, how far off you are from safely returning to the game. We evaluate your brain and balance systems that are affected when you have a concussion against your baseline test results.
What Do I Do if I Have a Concussion?
If you've had a concussion during your season, we're here to help. We developed a specific quick start package for athletes that have experienced a new concussion. It's part of our RecoverNow program for concussion recovery.
Even apparently “simple” concussions require advanced assessment and individualized treatment. Isaac Physiotherapy completes a thorough assessment looking for the unique personal and injury aspects that will affect recovery. We provide patients and parents insight into severity by evaluating numerous factors. Some of the subtler factors often indicate severity more accurately than dramatic signs like loss of consciousness. We are licensed healthcare professionals with vast experience administering and interpreting a variety of tests, tools and signs with or without baseline information. We have strong referral relationships with doctors and specialists.
To read more about our concussion recovery services, please click here.
Are you a coach or athletic therapist? We work with teams utilizing baseline tests only when convinced that testing will allow for a true improvement in care of the athlete.
We recommend your team answer the following questions before using baseline testing as part of your concussion management program.
- Does your Team or Association have a written policy statement regarding removal from play when a “suspicion” that concussion has occurred using the Concussion Recognition Tool?
- Does your Team or Association require a written statement from a qualified health care professional to return to play?
- Does your Team or Association have a designated person to act as team “trainer, therapist or first aider”?
- Will your Team coaching staff and “trainer” attend free training provided by Isaac Physiotherapy for the use of sideline tools used in baseline testing?