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Current Pain and Headache Reports
Published in: Current Pain and Headache Reports 11/2018

01-11-2018 | Concussion and Head Injury (A Finkel, Section Editor)

Factors Associated with Sport-Related Post-concussion Headache and Opportunities for Treatment

Authors: Johna K. Register-Mihalik, Christina B. Vander Vegt, Michael Cools, Kevin Carnerio

Published in: Current Pain and Headache Reports | Issue 11/2018

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Abstract

Purpose of Review

The purpose of this review is to (1) describe factors both pre- and post-injury that are associated with post-concussion headache, (2) describe the influence of post-concussion headache on recovery following concussion, and (3) provide potential post-concussion treatment options that may reduce the burden of headache, as well as other symptoms to facilitate recovery.

Recent Findings

Various factors may be associated with post-concussion headache presentation. These may include pre-injury or historical factors such as sex, family and self-history of headache and migraine, concussion history, and mood disorders. In addition, post-injury presentation factors for consideration may include injury mechanism, symptom clusters, cervicogenic dysfunction, and post-concussion physiologic dysfunction. Despite this complex interplay of factors, many treatment options may improve headache symptoms and recovery post-concussion including rehabilitation programs focusing on deficits such as visual-vestibular dysfunction, sub-symptom threshold exercise, and potential pharmacological interventions.

Summary

Concussion is a complex injury that results in a variety of sequelae with headache being one of the most common. Understanding factors related to post-concussion headache presentation and the available options for treatment may improve patient care and outcomes post-concussion.
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Metadata
Title
Factors Associated with Sport-Related Post-concussion Headache and Opportunities for Treatment
Authors
Johna K. Register-Mihalik
Christina B. Vander Vegt
Michael Cools
Kevin Carnerio
Publication date
01-11-2018
Publisher
Springer US
Published in
Current Pain and Headache Reports / Issue 11/2018
Print ISSN: 1531-3433
Electronic ISSN: 1534-3081
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s11916-018-0724-2

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