Why Travel to Pittsburgh for Concussion Care?
The UPMC Sports Medicine Concussion Program team strives to make the concussion treatment process as manageable as possible for everyone. That's why a traveling patient's appointments with our concussion experts will occur in one day, and almost always at the same place.
A first visit often includes:
After your exam, we'll design an at-home treatment plan tailored to your type of concussion and specific needs for recovery.
This may involve:
- Targeted physical rehab
- Exercise
- Medicine, in some cases
While you're at home, you can email or call the care team with any questions.
If you live far away, we typically ask you to return for one or two follow-up appointments, based on your recovery.
The Trip to the UPMC Sports Medicine Concussion Program Is Worth It
With 20+ years of providing expert, personalized concussion care, countless people have travelled to our program from around the country and world.
Why is it worth it?
You receive the most complete, modern, and world-class concussion care. And if you need further treatment, we can take care of it all in-house.
We have the utmost confidence in our concussion diagnoses and active treatment plans, but don't just take our word for it.
Read why so many patients found their journey to our program worthwhile.
You'll see that many of them aren't from our hometown of Pittsburgh, but travelled from far and wide to see us.
What to Expect at Your In-Person Visit
If you're travelling from out of town, we've outlined what to expect during your in-person visit. Our staff will also provide materials and guidance to make planning your trip as seamless as possible.
We spread out your appointments across the morning and mid-afternoon, so you finish in one day.
Please note that some people may not need all of the tests and exams below.
- Neuropsychological exam to discuss your injury and symptoms. You'll also have computer-based cognitive tests and a vestibular ocular motor screening to look for any balance or vision problems.
- Vestibular assessment/therapy to test balance, dizziness, and vision problems. You'll learn ways to retrain the brain and receive a home exercise plan, if needed.
- Exertion therapy to focus on increasing heart rate in a careful and precise way through exercise, strength training, and other activities.
- Medication assessment to discuss adding a prescription to your treatment plan to help with concussion symptoms.
Video Visits
Since the COVID-19 pandemic began, we've made it easier than ever to get an initial concussion assessment. Via video visit, you can meet with Michael "Micky" Collins, PhD, and our team of experts.
We might ask you to travel to Pittsburgh for further evaluation and treatment after a video visit. But some people are able to recover by following their treatment plan from home.
Whether in person or online, our program makes your care seamless. We're here for you from the point of injury, through treatment with each expert, and all the way to recovery.
Learn more about video visits. Or to see if you're eligible for a video visit, call us at 412-432-3681.
Hotels and Lodging in Pittsburgh
We want to make your visit as simple as possible so that you can focus on your treatment and recovery. Our staff can help you with travel arrangements, nearby dining and activities, and items to bring with you.
We've also listed a few hotel options that are just a stone's throw away from our clinics.
Hotels near the Rooney Complex in Pittsburgh's South Side
If your appointment is at the UPMC Rooney Sports Complex (UPMC Freddie Fu Sports Medicine Center), you may choose to stay at:
Hotels near the Lemieux Complex in Cranberry Township
If your appointment is at the UPMC Lemieux Sports Complex, some options include: