Concussion Testing and Treatment

The specialists at the UPMC Sports Medicine Concussion Program know each concussion is unique.

That's why we work as a team to assess, test, manage, treat, and rehabilitate the diverse facets of concussions.

Concussion Assessment and Management at UPMC

Our program's neuropsychologists:

• Assess head injuries with thorough interviews, exams, and tests.
• Conduct neurocognitive testing using ImPACT^® (Immediate Postconcussion Assessment and Cognitive Testing) and many other brain function tests.
• Use all of this data to create a tailored concussion treatment and management plan.

Your neuropsychologist may also refer you for other tests and treatments, such as:

• Neuroimaging for brain scans.
• Vestibular evaluation and therapy.
• Physical and exertion training and rehab.
• Sports or physical medicine doctors for medication management.
• Behavioral neuro-optometry and vision therapy.
• Neurosurgery, neuro-otology, or orthopaedic surgery.

Concussion Treatment and Rehabilitation

Our concussion treatment team:

• May prescribe physical therapy or use behavioral management methods to treat concussion symptoms.
• May refer you for a medication consult to help treat chronic symptoms. Not all concussion cases require medicine. It may be useful in complex cases.
• Will re-examine you often to promote successful rehabilitation. 

The neurovestibular experts at the UPMC Sports Medicine Concussion Program:

• Test for, and treat, balance and vision problems that may occur with concussions.
• Work with UPMC physical therapists to begin vestibular therapy.
• Use methods that help retrain the brain to discern space, motion, and head/eye movements.
• Use training exercises that focus on visual motion sensitivities and motor skills, and balance.

The exertion training therapists at the UPMC Sports Medicine Concussion Program aim to:

• Reintroduce the vestibular system to activity in a careful and precise way.
• Adjust the prescribed routine according to your progress.
• Safely increase heart rate through:
  • Cardiovascular exercise.
  • Strength training.
  • Agility drills.
  • Plyometrics.
  • Dynamic and functional movements.
  • Sport-specific training.

Based on your concussion symptoms and treatment progress, your doctor may clear you for certain controlled physical activities.

Contact UPMC's Sports Medicine Concussion Program

Call 412-432-3681 to learn more about concussion testing and treatment or schedule an appointment with one of our concussion experts.