Northwestern Medicine Marianjoy Rehabilitation Hospital Concussion Clinic

A concussion can happen after:

• A direct hit to the head
• A strong impact to another part of the body that causes the head to move suddenly and forcefully

A concussion is not considered structural damage to the brain. It is a functional disturbance of the brain that can cause various symptoms and struggles after a head injury.

Concussions may result from:

• Sports injuries
• Motor vehicle accidents
• Falls
• Blunt trauma

Concussion Symptoms

Every concussion is unique. Symptoms can vary from person to person. Some symptoms may appear right away at the time of injury. Others might not show up until after the injury, such as when trying to return to regular life activities such as work or school.

Symptoms may include:

• Headaches or migraines
• Dizziness and imbalance (with or without nausea)
• Trouble concentrating or focusing
• A feeling of mental fogginess and/or memory issues
• Vision issues such as trouble focusing, double/blurred vision, eye strain
• Being sensitive to light and/or sound
• Mood swings such as being irritable, anxious, sad or frustrated
• Fatigue, deconditioning and/or decreased endurance
• Sleep issues, both less or more sleep
• Pain including neck and upper back

The Concussion Clinic at Marianjoy provides multidisciplinary care for both adults and children. We see patients who are newly diagnosed as well as those experiencing ongoing symptoms related to a recent or prior concussion(s).

Expert Care With a Personal Touch

To treat the immediate or long-term effects of a concussion, expertise matters.

Our care team is led by fellowship-trained physicians who specialize in brain injury medicine. They use their extensive experience to treat a wide range of concussion-related symptoms — from common concerns to more complex cases.

Our priority is to work closely with you to set goals and help you reduce and relieve your symptoms. We want you to be able to return to activities that matter most to you, whether that’s school, work, leisure and/or sports.

What to Expect

Your care team will:

• Provide a thorough evaluation
• Work with you to set personalized goals
• Help to create a comprehensive treatment plan designed to support your recovery

As part of Northwestern Medicine, our team collaborates with other Northwestern Medicine specialists and facilities — giving you access to the most advanced treatment options available.

Depending on your individual needs, your care team may include:

• Therapists – Provide physical, occupational and/or speech-language therapy with expertise in treating concussion-related symptoms
• Psychologists – Provide psychotherapy (“talk therapy”) for coping, adjustment, cognitive-behavioral therapy, and/or supportive therapy while you work to recover
• Neuropsychologists* – Guide management of problems with attention, language, memory and problem-solving, especially as they impact academic and vocational adjustment
• Case manager* – Connect you with community resources and support
• Dietitian* – Offer guidance on nutrition to help manage and improve symptoms
• Neuro-optometry* – May offer further evaluation of visual disturbances

*Services may be recommended by your care team.

Make an Appointment

To make an appointment for an evaluation, please call 630.909.7000.