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Sports: The Importance Of Concussions In Sports

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Concussions have been an increasingly controversial topic for many years with both reports on an increase of concussions to more awareness towards the issue, how both effects can happen at the same time is a puzzling mystery. The overall opinion of two medical professionals interviewed is that there is more awareness of concussions, causing more concussions to be diagnosed. From constant lawsuits and present and former athletes speaking out against sport associations, concussions are clearly having a large impact on society.
According to Tria Physical Therapist Carly Mattson PT, DPT, OCS, a concussion is either caused by an injury or impact to the head or neck. Although once believed that concussions always caused unconsciousness, that is not always the case.
“A …show more content…
“Sometimes people don’t know what to do or recognize the concussion so they send that person back in potentially, then that person is more at risk for a worse situation,” Mattson said. “So, I think definitely recognizing and understanding the assessment of concussions in sports and treating that appropriately is an important aspect that has to be practiced in sports.”
“People recovering from a concussion need both physical and cognitive rest while symptomatic from the injury. It is important not to practice while experiencing symptoms of a concussion,” said Christensen.
The increased awareness may help reduce the amount of concussions and increase the amount of concussions treated, but concussions will always be a common injury.
“Concussions are an externality of contact sports so there really is no way to stop them. This is why we need to be educated so that we can make smart decisions for our brain health if in fact you ever face a concussion,” Utecht said.
“Make sure to be forthcoming if you ever face a concussion,” said Utecht. “It is not an injury that you want to

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