The UPMC Sports Medicine Concussion Program team is dedicated to helping athletes and everyday active people of all ages and skill levels. After a concussion, it's easy to feel overwhelmed about symptoms, treatment options, and recovery times.
But we're here to help. Learn about the impact our individualized concussion care has on the lives of some of our patients by reading their stories and watching their testimonials.
Amanda's Story: World-Renowned Ice Hockey Player Recovers from Concussion
When Amanda Kessel first came to us for care, she'd already been suffering from concussion symptoms for over a year. Read her story to learn more about the importance of proper, customized treatment from the start.
Brian's Story: MLB Player Avoids Early Retirement
After sustaining back-to-back concussions, Brian Roberts feared he may have to retire from pro baseball at the age of 33. But when he found the UPMC Sports Medicine Concussion Program, he was able to learn a lot about himself and his injuries. Learn how Brian made a full recovery from his concussion and returned to the major league.
Dale's Story: NASCAR Driver Finds Hope for Concussion Recovery
Dale Earnhardt Jr. suffered crippling concussion symptoms over many years of racing-related head injuries and reached out for help. His doctor referred him to our program, where we helped Dale find hope with a customized treatment plan to help him recover.
David's Story: Major League Catcher Finds His Way Back Home
After many foul tips to the head, David Ross needed to seek treatment for dizziness, headaches, and mood changes. UPMC's tailored treatment plan let him play an active role in his recovery, getting him back to the game he loves. Learn more about David's journey at the UPMC Sports Medicine Concussion Program.
John's Story: Professional Baseball Player Retrains His Balance Center
After years of foul tips to his catcher's mask, John Jaso found himself feeling nauseous, foggy, and irritable to light and noise. The UPMC Sports Medicine Concussion Program taught him how to retrain his vestibular system, making his migraines less frequent. Read more about how Dr. Collins and team walked John through treatment and recovery.
Anya's Story: Collegiate Soccer Player Finds Relief from Lingering Symptoms
An active soccer player for much of her life, Anya's world changed when she sustained three concussions within a few short years. Learn how Anya overcame her symptoms with an active treatment plan from the experts at the UPMC Sports Medicine Concussion Program.
Emma's Story: Aspiring Professional Dancer Meets Concussion Head On
Determined to get back to her normal dancer life, Emma committed herself to her rehab after concussion. Learn how her father's knowledge of a well-known patient's concussion treatment led Emma and her family to UPMC.
Katie's Story: Horseback Rider Recovers After Unexpected Fall
A rough fall from her horse during a practice ride left Katie with a fractured shoulder and a concussion. But a speedy referral to the UPMC Sports Medicine Concussion program helped Katie jump right into a tailored treatment plan. Read how Katie healed from concussion and got back on her horse.
Laura's Story: An Avid Snowboarder's Concussion Through Her (and Her Parents') Eyes
Hitting a tree while snowboarding caused Laura intense headaches, loss of sleep, and mood changes. After suffering through symptoms without proper treatment, she finally found the UPMC Sports Medicine Concussion Program. Hear from Laura and her parents on how she got back on track after her concussion.
Chelsea's Story: Youth Soccer Sweeper Returns to Play
After two kicks to the head during a club soccer game, Chelsea was seeing double and experiencing painful headaches. Read how the UPMC Sports Medicine Concussion Program guided Chelsea to actively engage her symptoms, getting her back to play.
Kazu's Story: Exertion Therapy Held the Key to Success
After a series of heading drills, Kazu noticed that something was off. Despite feeling this way, he still played in the soccer game later that day. Once the game ended, he got an intense headache and felt lethargic, and his symptoms didn't go away. Learn how Kazu got better with help from the UPMC Sports Medicine Concussion Program.
Zeke's Story: Preexisting Eyesight Trouble Resolved During Concussion Treatment
Zeke received a knock to the head during an inline hockey club tournament, giving him the worst headache he'd ever had. The concussion experts at UPMC found a preexisting eye condition heightened by the concussion. They helped resolve both problems, and Zeke's performance in school began to improve.
Amelia's Story: Travelling from Australia to Pittsburgh for Concussion Treatment
After getting hit in the head with a medicine ball during a workout, Amelia didn't feel right. The normally busy wife and mother could no longer function. Learn how her trip from Australia to the UPMC Sports Medicine Concussion Program helped her get her life back.
Daniel's Story: Swedish Concert Promoter Travels for Life-Saving Concussion Care
Daniel was rushing to pick up his kids from preschool when he walked into a street pole and hit his left temple. For more than a year, he suffered from disabling concussion symptoms and struggled to find relief from doctors at home. Finally, he found Micky Collins, PhD, online and came to Pittsburgh to receive the treatment that would save his life.
Daren's Story: Concussion Recovery Following Vintage Racecar Accident
A crash during a vintage car race left Daren with four broken ribs and a concussion. But a referral from his football player nephew led him to the UPMC Sports Medicine Concussion Program. Learn how our experts taught Daren what his concussion meant and helped him overcome it to get back to work and racing.
Emmett's Story: A Business Executive's Long Journey to Recovery
A fall down the stairs in October 2014 landed Emmett, 62, in the hospital. After doctors cleared and released him just two days later, he felt that he was okay to return to his normal routine. But more than six months of troubling symptoms ensued before Emmett found our concussion experts and got his life back.
John’s Story: Concussion Care from the Comfort of Home
When a fall from horseback resulted in a concussion, John sought local treatment. But after a month, he still wasn’t getting better. That’s when he scheduled a telemedicine appointment with the UPMC Sports Medicine Concussion Program. Learn how after just two appointments, John was back to his routine and feeling like himself again – without ever leaving his home state.
Josh's Story: Indirect Jolt from Trampoline Causes Concussion
While jumping on the trampoline with his kids, Josh felt a jolt that seemed to shake his brain in his skull. In a fog and unable to find relief for months, he and his family traveled home from their nonprofit work in Thailand. They eventually made their way to UPMC where exertion and behavioral therapy helped Josh recover.
Karen's Story: Returning to Life After Years of Isolating Symptoms
Two concussions, and the prolonged migraines that came with them, led Karen to quit her job and stay in bed. But when UPMC Sports Medicine Concussion Program experts prescribed active treatment, Karen slowly began to improve. Read on to learn how concussion treatment at UPMC gave Karen her life back.
Shelagh's Story: Taking Action to Overcome Vestibular/Ocular Concussion
After collapsing from meningitis-induced weakness and striking her head, Shelagh couldn't do anything she'd once loved. She couldn't remember anything she read, and she worried she'd never return to her classroom and research. But a colleague suggested she travel to Pittsburgh for care at the UPMC Sports Medicine Concussion Program.
Walter's Story: A Team Approach to Complete Concussion Care
Weeks of failed treatments and worsening symptoms led Walter to search for positive concussion stories online. That's when he found the UPMC Sports Medicine Concussion program, engaged in an active treatment approach, and finally got his life back.
Zack’s Story: Canadian College Student Finds Concussion Relief
After a long journey to the UPMC Sports Medicine Concussion Program, experts diagnosed Zack with a vestibular concussion and prescribed an active treatment plan which consisted of gradual exposure to stimuli to retrain the brain to adapt to the sights, sounds, and activities of daily life. Learn how an individualized treatment plan helped Zack on his way to recovery.