Concussion Care at RIW

Concussion Care at RIW

At RIW, we know the importance of receiving the right care, at the right time, for treating concussions.

Our Concussion Clinic aims to provide early intervention for recent concussions by bringing together specialists in speech-language pathology, physical therapy, occupational therapy, and mental health counseling who focus on concussion management. Our providers coordinate care under one roof, so you don’t have to piece together services from multiple places.

Working with a multidisciplinary team allows us to evaluate and treat the full range of symptoms — from vestibular symptoms like dizziness and balance issues to visual problems, fatigue, and changes to thinking like reduction in memory, attention, processing speed, or general brain fog. 

The program is specifically designed to provide early, expert intervention for individuals experiencing concussion symptoms. Patients are evaluated by a physician with specialized training and experience in concussion management, ensuring that care begins with a comprehensive understanding of how the injury affects the brain and body.

After a detailed assessment, the physician develops personalized care recommendations tailored to each patient’s unique symptoms and recovery goals. These recommendations may be as simple as an individualized home program or more comprehensive to include treatment recommendations for headache management or referrals to physical therapy (PT) to address balance and vestibular issues, occupational therapy (OT) to support daily function and cognitive endurance, and speech therapy (ST) to help with communication, memory, or concentration challenges.

One of the key advantages of our Concussion Clinic is our integrated, team-based approach. 

All recommended therapies are coordinated under one roof, allowing our providers to collaborate closely and share real-time updates on patient progress. This communication ensures that care remains consistent, efficient, and responsive to changes in symptoms. To make recovery more manageable, therapy sessions can often be scheduled together, reducing the need for multiple separate appointments across different facilities.

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A mild injury with big impact

Concussions occur when enough pressure or impact is placed on the brain to temporarily disrupt how it works. 

While they are considered the mildest form of traumatic brain injury (TBI), they still deserve careful attention. Although most individuals recover within the first few weeks without the need for treatment, others experience symptoms that can last longer than expected. Symptoms of concussion can impact a person’s ability to participate in their typical daily activities and life roles, from work and leisure to socialization and maintaining relationships. Left untreated or managed poorly, a concussion can lead to prolonged recovery and a significant decline in quality of life. 

At the Rehabilitation Institute of Washington (RIW), our providers have specific expertise in treating concussion and offer coordinated, multidisciplinary care to help patients recover as fully and quickly as possible. This care is individualized to treat any or all of these common issues stemming from a concussion:

  • Headache
  • Dizziness
  • Nausea
  • Balance difficulties
  • Fatigue or excessive drowsiness
  • Mental fogginess, memory, and concentration problems
  • Blurred or double vision
  • Sensitivity to light or sound

Some symptoms after a head injury may suggest a TBI is more serious than a concussion and indicate a patient should seek more urgent medical evaluation. These include:

  • Loss of consciousness or altered consciousness
  • Confusion or disorientation
  • Memory loss for the event, or for events just before or after it
  • Repeated vomiting
  • A severe headache that won’t ease
  • Weakness or numbness in an arm or leg
  • Persistent changes in vision
  • Slurred speech or difficulty speaking
  • Any seizure activity

Seeking care early in our Concussion Clinic can make a significant difference in outcomes. Early referral not only supports a faster and smoother recovery for patients, but can also reduce the likelihood of prolonged symptoms or the need for more intensive rehabilitation down the line. 

By beginning treatment as soon as possible, patients can return safely and confidently to their normal routines with the right level of expert guidance and coordinated care.

Have a patient that would benefit from our Concussion Clinic?

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Heather Kroll, M.D.
Heather Kroll, M.D.

Heather Kroll, MD received a BA in Mathematics from UC Berkeley and an MA in Physical Therapy from Stanford University. She received her MD from the University of Washington, School of Medicine where she also completed her residency in Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation. She co-founded the Rehabilitation Institute of Washington with Dr. Moore so that she could continue to work with a team of skilled professionals to help patients with all aspects of their persistent pain problems to regain function and diminish disability. Her practice has expanded to include working with people who have sustained concussions and more severe brain injuries as well as working with people with the residuals of long COVID.

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Visit our facility next to Seattle Center in Lower Queen Anne. We have parking on site and are located near several bus lines.

415 1st Avenue N, Suite 200, Seattle, WA 98109

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