Testing Services
Contact Us
Our clinic welcomes athletes from Santa Barbara, Ventura and San Luis Obispo counties. To schedule an appointment with the Cottage Concussion Clinic, please call 805-879-4240.
- A detailed neurological examination is important and will bring out evidence of brain injury
- Evaluations by physical, occupational and speech therapists help clarify the specific deficits of an individual.
- Cognitive evaluation by a Neuropsychologist with formal neuropsychological testing
- Tests may include CAT scan, MRI, SPECT and PET scan
What to Know About Concussion Recovery
- Most patients are fully recovered from their concussion in 7-10 days
- For some patients symptoms can persist for weeks or even months
- Make sure your child rests his or her brain and does not re-injure it while healing
Watch for these Symptoms After Diagnosis:
- Severely worsening headaches or headaches after waking up
- Increased daytime drowsiness or difficulty waking up
- Problems with recognizing people or places
- Other common concussion symptoms such as dizziness, vomiting or slurred speech
Stay Aware of Second Impact Syndrome
While your child is still healing from a concussion, remain aware of second impact syndrome: a second injury to the brain. It is very important that your child does not re-injure his or her head while they are recovering and still having symptoms. When not managed properly, second impact syndrome can cause a severe brain injury and death.
Concussion After-Care
Do’s & Don’ts of Concussion Recovery
Your Child Should NOT:
- Drink caffeinated beverages
- Take other medications unless approved by their doctor
- Return to play without medical clearance
- Play contact sports or participate in activities which can increase their heart rate
- Go bike riding, skate boarding, surfing, horseback riding, skiing or snowboarding (even when wearing a helmet)
Your Child Should:
- Go to bed at the same time each night and sleeps for eight hours
- Take a 30 minute break for every 30 minutes of watching TV or movies, using a computer or cell phone, listening to music or reading
- Walk at a moderate pace twice a day for 30 minutes
- Stay hydrated. Drink plenty or water.