| To make an appointment with the NRH Concussion Clinic, call 202.877.1955 |
Washington, DC– October 19, 2010 – From high school athletes to NFL football players, concussions are becoming an all-too regular occurrence. Each year, 1.7 million people suffer from these types of mild and severe traumatic brain injuries (TBI). National Rehabilitation Hospital (NRH) has opened a concussion clinic to help those with mild traumatic brain injuries. This unique facility will provide services to those who may not be able to find the proper treatment elsewhere.
| NRH BRAIN INJURY PROGRAM FACTS |
Largest program in the DC region, treating more than 200 inpatients a year
Treating adults and children with Traumatic Brain Injury, brain tumors, infections and brain hemorrhages
Comprehensive care includes inpatient services, a Transitions Day Treatment Program, and outpatient services at NRH Regional Rehab centers in DC and Maryland
Treatment delivered by a multidisciplinary care team of board certified neurologists and PM&R specialists, physical and occupational therapists, speech pathologists, social workers and neuropsychologists
Brain Injury Families and Friends Support Group – 202.877.1012
For info on inpatient care – 202.877.1152
Physician appointments and Concussion Clinic – 202.877.1621
Transitions Day Treatment Program – 202.877.1945
Neuropsychology, Psychological Evaluations & Therapy – 202.877.1120
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“One of my patients is a 19-year-old college football player, who had repeated concussions but never reported the side effects to anyone. He did not seek medical attention until his third concussion had occurred during a game,” said Michael Yochelson, MD, Medical Director of the NRH Brain Injury Program and Associate Professor of Neurology and Rehabilitation Medicine at Georgetown University.
Blunt trauma, vehicle crashes, falls and sports are all common causes of mild TBI. Most patients who suffer from this type of brain injury are normally adolescents, young adults or older adults. Symptoms range from confusion to a persistent headache or dizziness. More problems may develop if patients don’t receive the treatment they need. “Problems don’t always appear visually on routine scans in mild brain injury. That’s why we take a second and more comprehensive look to identify issues,” added Yochelson.
In addition to treating patients in a clinical environment, the Concussion Clinic at NRH provides care in a clinical setting and for the opportunity to learn through clinical trials. These trials cover the evaluation and management of sleep dysfunction and post-traumatic headaches. The new Concussion Clinic specializes in those cases that require help with long-term cognitive impairments but do not require hospitalization.
Rehabilitation centers that specialize in mild TBI are difficult to find. NRH hopes to provide a solution for these patients. Many patients ignore the symptoms and fail to get the adequate treatment they need. “We have found that these patients can really benefit from an organized therapeutic approach to help relieve symptoms that can make life so difficult and sometimes translate into lost jobs and problems at school, home, and with relationships,” said Yochelson.
To make an appointment with the NRH Concussion Clinic, call 202.877.1955.
National Rehabilitation Hospital (NRH) is a private, not-for-profit facility located in Northwest Washington, D.C. NRH’s services are designed specifically for the rehabilitation of individuals with disabling injuries and illnesses such as stroke, brain injury, spinal cord injury and disease, arthritis, amputations, post-polio syndrome, chronic pain, back and neck pain, occupational injuries, cancer and cardiac disease that require medical rehabilitation, and other neurological and orthopedic conditions. NRH admits approximately 2,200 inpatients annually, has appeared on the “Best Hospitals” list in U.S. News & World Report for 16 consecutive years and is currently ranked among the top hospitals in medical rehabilitation in America. NRH has the only CARF accredited specialty program for both Spinal Cord Injury and Stroke in the region. In addition, NRH’s Spinal Cord Injury Program has been designated one of only 14 Model SCI Systems of care in the country by the National Institute on Disability and Rehabilitation Research (NIDRR), a part of the Department of Education. NRH is a proud member of MedStar Health.