A concussion is a type of traumatic brain injury, caused by a bump, blow, or jolt to the head that can change the way your brain normally works. At the Sutter Neuroscience Institute Concussion Clinic, our care team is available evaluate patients, provide therapies and help guide decisions around when it’s safe to return to sports and other physical activities.

Our team is comprised of adult and child neurology physicians, physical medicine and rehabilitation physicians, physical therapists, neuropsychologists and nurses specializing in neurological care. Clinicians are credentialed ImPACT consultants, using one of the most widely used and most scientifically validated computerized concussion management tools available.

At the Concussion Clinic, our care team offers physical evaluation services, balance testing, neuroimaging and neurocognitive assessments, as needed for both children and adults. For a child consultation at the Concussion Clinic, please call (916) 454-6667. For an adult consultation, please call (916) 454-6850.

Recognizing a Concussion

After a concussion, some people lose consciousness for a short time; however, most concussions do not result in a loss of consciousness. Symptoms of a concussion usually fall into these four categories:

• Thinking and Remembering — Difficulty thinking clearly, feeling slowed down, difficulty remembering new information or difficulty concentrating.
• Physical — Headache, sensitivity to light and noise, nausea and vomiting (early on), feeling tired, fuzzy or blurry vision, dizziness or balance problems.
• Emotional and Mood — Irritability, sadness, nervousness or mood swings.
• Sleep — Sleeping more or less than usual, or trouble falling asleep.

If you have a worsening headache, weakness, numbness, decreased coordination, repeated vomiting or nausea, slurred speech, convulsions or seizures, increasing confusion or agitation, an inability to recognize people or places, or experience a loss of consciousness, immediately seek care at the closest emergency department.