Autonomic Consideration in Concussion

Course Description:

• The autonomic nervous system (ANS) controls physiological mechanisms that should operate automatically, like the sequelae of events that pump blood against the force of gravity so that it reaches the brain. Dysfunction of the ANS has been found to be a major factor in the symptomatology of mild traumatic brain injury(mTBI,) concussion and post-concussive syndrome. Autonomic dysfunction increases cognitive symptoms and fall risk due to decreased cerebral blood flow in upright positioning. Athletic trainers and healthcare professionals can facilitate the identification and treatment of autonomic dysfunction in order to prevent or recover from concussion or post-concussive symptoms.

‍

Learning Objectives:

• Screen for autonomic dysfunction to assess for fall risk and identify autonomic dysfunction in post-concussive clients.
• Describe the role of the autonomic nervous system in pathophysiology of concussion/post-concussive symptoms.
• Integrate treatments that address autonomic dysfunction into your patients’ exercise programming.

‍

Speaker:

• Name: Catherine Lewan, PT, DPT
• Title: Physical Therapist
• Organization: Inner Awakening, LLC
• Bio: Dr. Catherine Lewan, PT DPT C-IAYT has 15 years of clinical experience as a physical therapist, working with a variety of populations. She was working in an outpatient clinic as an orthopedic and pelvic health specialist when she noticed that many of her patients were experiencing prolonged and unexplained periods of  brainfog, chronic pain, migraine/headaches, dizziness/wooziness, exercise intolerance and difficulty keeping up with school or work tasks. Dr. Lewan found that the autonomic nervous system (ANS) was the link between all these mysterious and misunderstood symptoms. Dr. Lewan develops and teaches continuing education courses on a variety of topics including hypermobility spectrum disorders and post-covid syndrome, populations with high rates of dysautonomia. She is currently a researcher at the Medical University of South Carolina, working on studies involving vagal nerve stimulation, high intensity training, autonomic dysfunction and brain injuries.

‍

Target Audience:

• AT, PT, OT, MD/DO, PhD/PsyD, RN

‍

Course Format:

• Virtual, synchronous activity taking place via Zoom

‍

Difficulty Level:

• Advanced

‍

Registration Limit:

• Up to 1000

‍

Practice Domain:

• Injury and illness prevention and wellness promotion
• Examination, assessment, and diagnosis
• Therapeutic Intervention

‍

Fees:

• FREE activity

‍

Cancellation/Refund Policy:

• No fee was charged for this activity

‍

CEUs:

• Sway Medical (BOC AP#: P12055) is approved by the Board of Certification, Inc. to provide continuing education to Athletic Trainers (ATs). This program is eligible for a maximum of (1.5) hours/Category A CEUs. ATs should claim only those hours actually spent in the educational program.

‍

Sponsors:

• This activity is not sponsored.

‍

Required Materials and Equipment:

• This activity will require a computer or phone with a stable internet connection.