Navigating Concussion Recovery: Expert Insights from UBC Physiotherapist Gavin Tonkin

mabsnetworkbc
2 days ago
3 min read

*UBC Vancouver Point Grey campus | Friedman Building – Physical Therapy & Research Clinic*

Concussions, a form of mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI), are caused by a direct or indirect force that moves and accelerates the brain inside the skull. While loss of consciousness may occur following an injury, symptoms vary significantly among individuals. Common signs involve headaches, dizziness, mental fog, difficulty concentrating, and vision and balance problems.

For many people, these symptoms fade spontaneously within a few weeks. However, when patients experience sustained symptoms beyond that timeframe, formal concussion rehabilitation is highly recommended.

Located within the Friedman Building on the UBC Vancouver Point Grey campus, the UBC Physical Therapy and Research Clinic offers a diverse spectrum of evidence-based physical therapy and rehabilitation services, including specialized concussion and post-concussion care.

Recently, the Mind & Brain Student Network BC had the opportunity to speak with Gavin Tonkin, a graduate of the UBC Master of Physical Therapy program. Driven by his passion for movement and a strong desire to take the lead in assessing and supporting patients, Gavin became a physiotherapist. He currently practices at the UBC Physical Therapy and Research Clinic, where he helps patients recover from concussions. Gavin shared his clinical insights with us, showcasing his day-to-day work and explaining how he guides his patients to recovery.

Personalized Assessment and Treatment

Because every brain is different, every concussion requires a unique approach. When asked if all patients undergo the same vision and balance assessments, Gavin highlighted the importance of establishing a thorough baseline.

"Most clients will go through a vision and/or balance assessment," he explained. "It's really common for these two systems to be affected by a concussion, so checking in on them is a key part of figuring out the best way to help someone".

From there, the treatment plan is highly individualized. Gavin works directly alongside his patients to determine whether manual therapy makes sense for them. If there are muscular symptoms involved, manual therapy is often utilized as a great tool for managing pain. Furthermore, most clients will participate in some form of exercise therapy. Depending on the person, this could mean anything from helping them meet the Canadian Physical Activity Guidelines to safely getting them back into sport. Graded activity exposure through exercise is often a real cornerstone of concussion treatment.

The Collaborative Care Model

Gavin’s sessions are all one-on-one, with the length varying depending on the severity of the concussion and what they are working on that day. While collaborating with a patient's broader healthcare team is a vital part of concussion rehab, maintaining strict client information security presents a major challenge.

Gavin navigates this by keeping the patient at the center of the communication. "A common way I do this is by writing letters that the client can bring to their medical team on their behalf," he noted. These letters are incredibly useful, as they can request further investigation, advocate for additional treatments, or encourage necessary referrals to other healthcare providers.

Setting Goals and Staying Engaged

Concussion recovery is rarely a straight line. Symptoms can fluctuate significantly from day to day, which means rehabilitation requires highly flexible goal-setting. Gavin finds it works best to establish both short-term and longer-term goals together with the client. He checks in regularly and adjusts the plan as needed, ensuring that the goals stay tied to what matters most to the client.

To keep patients motivated through the psychological and social hurdles of recovery, Gavin focuses heavily on personal relevance.

"I think the best way to keep clients engaged is to make their rehab feel truly personal and tailored to them and what they actually want to achieve," Gavin shared. "When a client can see how what we're doing in session connects to their bigger goals, it tends to keep them motivated, even when there are setbacks along the way".

We extend our sincere gratitude to Gavin for generously sharing his professional expertise and providing valuable insights into his clinical practice. His dedication to delivering individualized, evidence-based concussion care and his flexible, patient-centered approach highlight the profound impact that dedicated physical therapy has on successful rehabilitation.

Need Support?

If you or a loved one are navigating the challenges of a concussion and seeking dedicated support to manage post-concussion symptoms, we highly encourage you to reach out to the UBC Physical Therapy and Research Clinic. Located right on the Vancouver Point Grey campus, their team offers the evidence-based, compassionate care needed to help you safely return to the activities you love.