Sport Concussion Seminar Delves into Latest Research and Treatment

March 1, 2014

Many student-athletes step on to the field every Friday or Saturday night in hopes of scoring that touchdown, but often the real struggle occurs when an athlete suffers a concussion and they want to be put back in the game.

Jason Freeman, an Associate Professor at the School of Medicine at the University of Virginia, says that is not an option.

"Don't ever put children in charge of that decision. Don't put parents and coaches in charge of that decision. We all have agendas that compete very often and certainly a child wants to get back to normal as fast as possible but to do that sometimes it means slowing down taking a step back and making sure that health comes first," says Freeman.

University of Virginia's new Brain Injury and Sports Concussion Clinic serves as the epicenter for recovery.

Saturday's program allowed anyone looking to learn more about concussions the opportunity to do so by offering techniques to help get kids back in to the classroom.

"The main thing with a concussion is that you need a brief period of rest. You need to not be doing physical activity not taxing your brain too much and then we want to start moving toward your life gradually, says Donna Broshek, Associate Director of the UVA Brain Injury and Sports Concussion Clinic.

The major takeaway from Saturday's event, "if in doubt, sit them out".

Albemarle County officials are moving forward with trying to pass policy with the Charlottesville Recreation Department that would force anyone using Charlottesville public fields to read and agree to the county's concussion management policy.

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Sport Concussion Seminar Delves into Latest Research and Treatment