Concussions in Youth Sports: What Every Parent and Coach Needs to Know

Parents and coaches of youth sports programs are encouraged to attend

“Concussions in Youth
Sports:  What Every Parent and Coach
Needs to Know,” a free program on Wednesday, October 3, from 7 – 9 p.m. at the Marlboro Recreation Center on Township Drive in Marlboro. This important program is sponsored by the Marlboro Soccer Association, the Concussion Rx Care Program at db Orthopedic Physical Therapy and the Sports Medicine Center at Jersey Shore University Medical Center. 

Stephen Toran, a Marlboro resident and father of a soccer player who is recovering from a sports-related
concussion, will be speaking about his first-hand experience.

Online program registration is suggested at www.concussionrxcare.com,or by calling 732-747-1262.  Concussion baseline testing at a reduced cost will be conducted that evening for those children ages 10 and older who attend the event with their parents. 

 “A concussion is a brain injury and should never be passed
off as just a ‘bump on the head,’” says Dr. David Bertone, PT, DPT, OCS,Physical Therapist, Board Certified Orthopedic Clinical Specialist, and President of db Orthopedic Physical Therapy in Lincroft. “We have been hearing more and more about how concussions are not only sidelining our children for a few weeks, but are also causing severe,long-lasting health effects and potential life-threatening injuries.  That is why we felt it was so important to come together as a community and make sure everyone – parents and coaches alike – are completely educated about concussion prevention, identification and treatment.”

According to research from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 38 million youth ages 5 to 18 play organized sports in the United States.  Of those children, one in 10 will suffer a sports or recreation-related concussion each year.  Dr. Bertone will explain the concussion recovery and rehabilitation process as well
as how coaches can make proper side-line assessments.  He will also address the often confusing “return to play” methods, and how Comprehensive Concussion Baseline Testing with a balance component is the only way to determine a safe time to return to play following a concussion.

In addition to Dr. Bertone, Stephen Rice, M.D., Board Certified Pediatrician & Pediatric Sports Medicine Director at Jersey Shore University Medical Center will discuss the signs and symptoms of a concussion, and the potentially fatal consequences of Second Impact Syndrome.