Comprehensive treatment plans designed to retrain a person’s brain and body in order to return to their prior activities, including sports, exercise, work, and school.
Comprehensive treatment, individualized care
Our expert clinicians work together to create a personalized treatment plan targeting physical, mental, cognitive, and physiological impairments.
Measured, managed, innovative
Our team blends extensive clinical experience, evidence-based practice, and advanced technology to facilitate quicker recovery times. Sheltering Arms Institute provides innovative concussion therapy at our Bon Air and Reynolds outpatient centers.
Concussions are complex and symptom presentation can vary person to person. If you or a loved one are experiencing any of the following symptoms, please consult your healthcare professional as soon as possible.
They provide a lot of feedback on how you’re doing, not only physically, but emotionally. Coming here and being able to show signs of progression—doing more activity than normal—has really helped me a lot.
Treatment program
At Sheltering Arms Institute, we are dedicated to interdisciplinary, evidence-backed concussion management and treatment.
Sheltering Arms Institute utilizes advanced technology, including the Virtualis VR, Bioness Integrated Therapy System (BITS), Blazepods, and vestibular video goggles to perform assessments that guide treatment, increase patient engagement, and simulate complex environments.
Sheltering Arms Institute clinicians perform thorough testing and create customized treatment plans that address the individual’s impairments.
Sheltering Arms Institute delivers an interdisciplinary approach with a collaboration between physical therapists, medical psychologists, occupational therapists, and speech-language pathologists who are certified in brain injury.
Sheltering Arms Institute concussion treatment plans are patient-centered and goal-oriented. Guidance helps individuals to return to learn, play, or work.
The concussion team at Sheltering Arms Institute is committed to helping our patients make full recoveries so that they can quickly return to work, exercise, school, sports, or other activities. Each person’s plan of care focuses on individual goals while making the sessions fun and meaningful. Our interdisciplinary team values communication, thoroughness, and providing the latest evidence-based care.
Understanding concussion therapy
A concussion is a mild traumatic brain injury that affects brain function. Concussions are caused by a direct or indirect blow to the head or body causing the brain to move within the skull. This type of injury results in chemical changes, energy crisis, and stretching or shearing within brain cells.
Concussions most often occur from a fall, car accident, blow to the head, or sport-related injury. If you suspect you or a loved one has experienced a concussion, seek medical care immediately and reach out to a concussion expert.
Concussion symptoms are wide-ranging and include headaches, blurred vision, poor coordination or balance, dizziness, sensitivity to light or noise, ringing in ears, insomnia, nausea, slowed reaction time, confusion, loss of memory, difficulty concentrating, and fogginess. Concussions may also trigger emotional symptoms, including increased sadness, irritability, and nervousness.
The length and severity of concussion symptoms varies from person to person. Some factors that impact the duration of symptoms include medical history, severity of injury, and the amount of time that has passed since the injury occurred. Concussions are temporary and most people make a complete recovery. Furthermore, research shows that patients who seek therapy following a concussion get better, faster.
At Sheltering Arms Institute, your interdisciplinary care team will be comprised of several specialists who focus on different facets for your treatment, including:
The length of outpatient therapy varies from person to person; however, therapy for concussion typically lasts anywhere from 6 to 12 weeks. After your evaluation with a specialist, your therapist will estimate your recovery time and work with you to develop a customized treatment plan.
Yes. You can learn more about pre-injury concussion assessments by reviewing these frequently asked questions surrounding the latest recommendations and evidence.
Aside from seeking therapy, additional resources such as support groups and mental health resources are available. Visit our concussion education, resources, and support groups page for more information on resources that will help you progress your recovery.
Yes, this service is offered at our Bon Air and Reynolds outpatient centers on a case-by-case basis. Intensive concussion therapy includes one week of multi-disciplinary therapies paired with a prescribed fitness or work hardening program. This service provides greater accessibility and conditioning to help individuals return to work and their prior activity level.
This treatment model is ideal for individuals who are not local to the Richmond, Virginia area, or those who could benefit from more intensive treatment. Patients will participate in 3-4 hours of therapy per day for 5 consecutive days. To enroll, ask your doctor for a PT, OT, and/or SLP referral, and we will work with you to obtain authorization from your insurance company. Intensive concussion therapy participants are also required to pay $25 for a gym pass as part of the program.
Start your Journey
Contact a specialist at Sheltering Arms Institute to learn more about how you can gain more freedom in your everyday life.
