CCNW is founded on evidence-based guidelines, a diverse interdisciplinary health care team, and rapid response following injury. Our approach provides you with an individualized, 1-on-1, face-to-face and personal experience with an interdisciplinary team that provides you with a single point of access to trained:
OUR TEAM
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Certified Sports Medicine Physician
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Physiotherapists (PT)
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Speech-Language Pathologists (S-LP)
Based on an interdisciplinary model, our approach is two-tiered providing services across the continuum of care including screening those at risk of having a concussion, as well as those who are now injured and requiring care. CCNW provides services for:
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Pre-Concussion screening - for individuals, and sports teams/groups based on current research-based guidelines of physical and cognitive abilities. This allows rapid communication between you and your current health providers and/or team, guided by your PT and S-LP from the program.
Ontario Neurotrauma Foundation, June 2014: Guidelines for Diagnosing and Managing Pediatric Concussions recommends 'baseline neuro-cognitive testing if the child/adolescent plays high-risk sports…to provide baseline information on children/adolescents who play high-risk sports in case they sustain a concussion [and] to assist with return-to-play decisions.'
Duff, July 2009, Management of Sports-Related Concussion in Children and Adolescents states ‘under new recommendations, pre- and post- neuropsychological testing is considered the cornerstone of concussion management, return-to-play decision making, and diagnosis and management of the athlete who has experienced concussion.'
Duff, July 2009, ‘The pre- and post-testing allows comparison between the individual’s performance pre-injury and after a concussion. The goal is to individualize the decision-making process for return to play.’
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Post-Concussion care - for those who have experienced a concussion or who have been struggling for some time following a concussion, post-concussion care typically involves detailed assessment by a Certified Sports Medicine Physician to determine the appropriate path for your care. Following this, involvement of your current health care providers, or our interdisciplinary team at CCNW is rapidly organized in order to start helping you to recover and achieve your return to school, play, work and life goals.
Often a required component of recovery from concussion involves specific physical and cognitive re-training including vestibular assessment and treatment. Our therapists are trained extensively in vestibular rehabilitation, as well Infrared Video Frenzel assessment, Capnography evaluation and cognitive communication techniques which may be utilized throughout your recovery.
THE PROGRAM
Latest Concussion News:
Concussions a common enemy for Olympic athletes
Neurosurgeon says if Crosby were an amateur, he'd be advised to quit hockey
3 MAY 2017
http://www.tsn.ca/neurosurgeon-says-if-crosby-were-an-amateur-he-d-be-advised-to-quit-hockey-1.741674
Panthers doctor: 'Turf war' keeping neurologists off NHL study group
7 APR 2017
http://www.tsn.ca/panthers-doctor-turf-war-keeping-neurologists-off-nhl-study-group-1.718259
Robin's Minor Hockey Classic - Chad Clower
Superior Morning
27 JAN 2017
Listen to our very own Chad Clower talking concussion, hockey and concussion management with Lisa Laco from CBC Radio, Superior Morning Show
DOC MIKE EVANS
Concussions 101, a Primer for Kids and Parents
DOC MIKE EVANS
Concussion management and return to learn
Taken from: http://www.collegept.org/Home
Taken from: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_55YmblG9YM
Our Roles
Work Hard, Play Smart, Live Safe!
Taken from: http://www.caslpo.com
Certified Sports Medicine Physician
Family Physicians, whether in primary care settings or emergency departments, and those with added competencies in Sport and Exercise Medicine (SEM), are often the first medical professionals seen by a person who has sustained a concussion during a sport, leisure or occupational activity. In these cases, they can be the first point of contact for proper management, advice, and education regarding that person’s gradual return to cognitive activities (e.g. school or work) and gradual return to physical activities (e.g. sport, exercise or work).
The body of knowledge regarding concussion is rapidly and constantly changing. Therefore, to provide the best care possible, it is important that these physicians are knowledgeable of the most current concussion recommendations.
Family Physicians and physicians with added competencies in SEM also play a role in public education and awareness, and can influence sport and school policy at local, provincial and national levels. Family physicians and physicians with expertise in SEM can contribute to these strategies by working in conjunction with families, schools, sports organizations, employers and governments to educate, support and empower the implementation of proper concussion prevention, detection and management protocols. (taken from: http://casem-acmse.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/Joint-Position-statement_concussion_CFPC-CASEM-FINAL.pdf)
For that purpose, the College of Family Physicians of Canada (CFPC) and the Canadian Academy of Sport and Exercise Medicine (CASEM) recommend that physicians from both organizations remain aware of and utilize the most recent recommendations and tools (e.g. Consensus Statement on Concussion in Sport, Sport Concussion Assessment Tool - SCAT, Concussion Recognition Tool – CRT), which are regularly updated every 4 years.
Physiotherapists (PT)
Physiotherapists are often involved in the screening process before a concussion occurs. This often helps to ensure that you are safe to play, as well as to help determine if you may need to see other health providers. After a concussion, your physiotherapist assesses you to determine which “impairments” may be present and to help you access other health care resources and to plan exercise prescription.
The role of the physiotherapist is to support your return-to-play/return-to-activity progression, but also to screen for more serious signs that are sometimes present after your are injured. Your physiotherapist may be involved in treating your neck pain, dizziness/vertigo, balance, strength and other injuries that may have occurred at the same time as your concussion. We are there to work as part of your team, with you at the centre of the process in order to help you recover.
Physiotherapy has been identified as having an integral role in the management of Post-Concussion Syndrome. Specialized Physiotherapists evaluate these various systems and their interactions. While the brain continues to heal, a Physiotherapist can treat and manage the constellation of persistent Post-Concussion Syndrome symptoms and encourage new connections within the brain. By prescribing proper training exercises, education and with hands on techniques, symptoms will diminish and resolve gradually. (taken from: https://www.lifetherapies.ca/the-role-of-physiotherapy-in-the-management-of-post-concussion-syndrome/)
Speech-Language Pathologists (S-LP)
A speech-language pathologist (S-LP) can help you by assessing your symptoms relating to your communication (e.g. listening, understanding, following conversations, speaking, thinking of what to say, reading, writing) and cognition (thinking and slowed thinking, or processing information).
They provide direct therapy to help manage these symptoms and develop strategies to help you cope. S-LP’s can and do help to address the functional impact of concussion such as the Return to School and Return to Learn process, Return to Work, and also with Social Communication (e.g. turn taking, unfiltered comments, changes in personality including irritability, short fuse etc, as well as things like being able to ‘think on your feet’, and responding quickly in conversation).
S-LP’s can and often do work as part of a multi-disciplinary concussion management team. In choosing any concussion practitioner, you will want to know what special training and experience they have, and how many patients they see with concussion. (taken from: https://www.osla.on.ca)
-completes pre-concussion baseline assessment
(orientation, working memory, executive functioning, visual scanning)
-completes post concussion cognitive communication assessment
(speech, auditory/reading comprehension, verbal/written expression, orientation, working memory, executive functions, visual scanning)
-completes return to school, play, work and life individualized treatment programs based on results of assessment protocol