Sports Neurology

Whether your child is dealing with a head injury or you’re looking for ways to improve their overall performance, they may benefit from a sports neurology consultation. The experienced pediatric neurologists at THINK Neurology for Kids in The Woodlands, Katy, Sugar Land, and Austin, Texas, specialize in sports neurology and can provide the care your child needs to get back in the game. THINK Neurology for Kids can get you in to see a specialist within a few days, not weeks or months like other practices in the area. Call today or book online.

What is sports neurology?

Sports neurology is a very new area of medicine focused on the specialized neurological needs of athletes. This area of medicine not only manages injuries that affect the neurological system but also utilizes advanced tools and techniques aimed at optimizing the health and function of the nervous system to improve sports performance. 

The pediatric neurology team at THINK Neurology for Kids includes physicians who specialize in this very unique area of neurological care. 

What children are good candidates for sports neurology?

The pediatric neurology specialists at THINK Neurology for Kids can determine if your child is a good candidate for sports neurology during a consultation. The team specializes in the management of:

• Neurological sports injuries (brain, spine, or nerves)
• Playing sports with a neurological disorder
• Sports injury prevention or prevention of reinjury
• Athletes who want to improve their performance

The qualified team at THINK Neurology for Kids is at the forefront of sports neurology and can provide the evaluation and treatment plan that meets your child’s specific needs and goals up to age 26. 

What happens during a sports neurology evaluation?

The sports neurology evaluation at THINK Neurology for Kids is individualized to each patient’s specific neurological needs and athletic goals. However, you can expect the team to conduct a comprehensive evaluation that includes:

• Review of medical and family history
• Discussion of athletic goals
• Physical exam
• Neurological exam

The team may also conduct diagnostic and functional tests to further evaluate an injury or gather more information about your child’s overall health and how it relates to sports performance. 

What are sports neurology treatments?

Sports neurology treatments are individualized based on the underlying need for the consultation. Treatment for a concussion, for example, may include rest and regular follow-ups with their doctor until symptoms completely resolve, and they determine that your child can resume usual activities. 

To assess and monitor recovery from a concussion, the pediatric neurologists use ImPACT® — Immediate Post-Concussion Assessment and Cognitive Testing — a computerized test that measures objective data about memory, attention span, and measures visual and verbal problem-solving. The team uses this test to monitor concussion recovery. 

When it comes to improving sports performance, your child’s doctor may tailor the treatment plan specific to your child’s sport and athletic needs and include an exercise program that improves neurological function and reactivity. Improving neurological reactivity may help prevent injuries or make your child more aware of the signs to look for if there’s a problem.

To schedule a sports neurology consultation, call THINK Neurology for Kids or click the online booking button today.