2016 Wellness Expo

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Page 14 2016 Wellness Expo Lincoln Daily Tuesday, February 16, 2016
Concussion is a common injury, but is often
difficult to diagnose and treat.
ImPACT® (Immediate Post- Concussion
Assessment and Cognitive Testing)
provides clinicians with invaluable
information that can help take the
guesswork out of concussion management
and promote safe return-to-play decisions
for athletes and return-to-school
decisions for students. The ImPACT test is
computer-based and is performed prior to
a concussion in order to provide baseline
data for comparison with later results if a
student sustains a concussion.
Abraham Lincoln Memorial Hospital
employs two ImPACT trained athletic
trainers and one ImPACT trained physical
therapist. Two additional physical therapists
are currently completing training.
“ALMH SportsCare has worked with
local schools to implement a concussion
management policy as required by the State
of Illinois. ALMH SportsCare offers free
ImPACT baseline and follow-up testing
for athletes ages 10-adult, said Missy
Anderson, ATC, ITAT, athletic trainer.
Anderson provides athletic training services
to Lincoln Community High School.
In the past, testing has been scheduled
during the summer months by appointment.
In 2016, ALMH SportsCare is offering the
testing to the Lincoln schools.
“Our goal is to test all athletes in grades
five through eight during the Spring of
2016, using the schools computer labs,”
said Anderson.
When a student suffers a concussion,
returning to school and sport are not
the only considerations. Follow-up
rehabilitation treatments in conjunction
with physician visits and guidance, may be
required for more severe concussions.
ALMH Physical Therapist Amy Knox,
DPT, Sports Certified Specialist and
ImPACT’s Trained Physical Therapist,
has been trained in newer techniques to
help people with lingering concussion
symptoms.
Knox said, “Treatment protocols in
this area are changing and evolving
rapidly. ALMH SportsCare is committed
to bringing the latest evidence-based
treatment techniques to help individuals
recover.”
By ALMH rehabilitation manager, Todd Mourning
How professionals are
helping the invisible injury