The Concussion Nerds Virtual Summit Podcast

With increasing evidence that subconcussive impact exposure can impair cognitive processing, sensitive objective evaluations have begun to identify potential interventions and innovations. This talk will review neurophysiological studies, highlight emerging approaches to protect and promote cognitive performance, therby helping to reduce the adverse effects and long term consequences of concussion.

Learn more about Tanja:

VICE PRESIDENT – CLINICAL INNOVATION, HEALTHTECH CONNEX PHYSIOTHERAPIST, INNOVATION AND LEADERSHIP COACH

Tanja has 30+ years of experience in clinical and healthcare leadership; orchestrating strategy and operations across 50+ sites while coaching/developing leaders and allied health teams of all types across multiple business streams. Her past role as Healthcare Innovation Lead with Canada's largest national healthcare company positioned her in the emerging technology space, where she developed relationships with numerous inventors and start-ups redefining the healthcare landscape. This insight into future-facing innovations brought her to Healthtech Connex, where she currently pursues her passion for technology, clinical neuroscience and brain health across their multiple divisions; working with clinical leaders at the Surrey Neuroplasticity Clinic, research professionals at the Centre for Neurology Studies and the medical engineering teams at Neurocatch. She recently founded the Brainnovation Network, linking neurorehabilitation facilities across North America to improve the standard of care for brain health.

Tanja is also part of the global faculty of The Complete Leader (Leadership Development programs) and The Innovator's Advantage Academy (Innovation Training- Coaching), working with clinics and industry to design and develop clinical innovation programs.

This presentation is sponsored by ReflexPro

Learn more about Dr. Emily:

Dr. Emily Kostelnik is a Clinical Health Psychologist specializing in specializing in chronic dizziness and related disorders and also lives with multiple vestibular diagnoses. She approaches chronic illness through a holistic lens and her personal experience as a patient informs the way she works with her own clients. She is the founder of Rooted Behavioral Education which provides self-paced virtual behavioral health courses specific to chronic dizziness, provides one-on-one educational meetings to vestibular warriors worldwide, and oversees vestibular mindset coaches. She is also the founder of a private psychology practice called The Vestibular Psychologist where she provides virtual, individual, and group therapy to those with chronic dizziness living in US states where she is licensed. She is passionate about conducting research, supporting clients, and providing holistic education to the vestibular community. Her mission is to teach vestibular warriors that treatment requires a whole body approach and that there are always new treatment options to consider.

This presentation is sponsored by ReflexPro

Polycanal BPPV is very prevalent after whiplash or concussions, but most providers only assess for posterior or horizontal canal BPPV because it's been found that anterior canal BPPV is very rare. This conversation will focus on its prevalence in my clinical practice, symptoms experienced, how to assess for it with infrared oculography (or without) and my preferred repositioning maneuver for it.

Learn more about Dr. Rachel:

Saskatchewan born Dr. Rachel Frontain had a love of both arts and sports since childhood. As a dancer, she saw a chiropractor for low back pain early on in her life so she has been acquainted with chiropractic care for most of her life.

Following a traumatic fall on her snowboard, Dr. Rachel witnesss the extraordinary results of multi-team coordinated, patient-centred chiropractic care. Her life's passion was sealed! She went on to achieve her Doctorate of Chiropractic from the University of Western States in Portland, OR. Prior to going to chiropractic school, she had been given the advice to examine Functional Neurology as an approach to chiropractic care. When she was in Portland, she had the opportunity to shadow Dr. Glen Zielinski. After seeing the numerous types of complex, chronic neurological conditions he was helping, she could not look back. She would spend an additional 3 years in Portland working as an associate at his practice and became board certified with the American Chiropractic Neurology Board in the year following graduation from chiropractic school.

During her first year out of school, Dr. Rachel discovered she had chronic Benign Positional Paroxysmal Vertigo while working full-time and studying in her free time for the diplomate exam. Her trigger was stress and it resulted in massive decompensation. She knows first-hand how your life can be turned upside-down and sideways by an acute vestibular disorder one day. She is also an example of a successfully treated chronic vestibular disorder. She understands the frustrations with recurrence, the limitations on activities, the random onset of symptoms and also the dedication it takes to recover. One of her passions these days is helping her patients identify if the vestibular system is a culprit in their chronic symptoms and building treatment plans to restore quality of life for her patients.

This presentation is sponsored by NeckCare

A birds-eye view of nutrition, movement, and mindset applied to concussion/PCS recovery by practically leveraging the "B.A.M." concept.

Learn more about Dr. Mark:

Dr. Mark Heisig specializes in integrative neurology and metabolic medicine, striving to be a leader in integrative concussion recovery and performance. Inspiring athletes and motivated individuals with simplicity and innovation to achieve new levels of higher quality performance in sport and life.

This presentation is sponsored by Jane

Learn how Brainbot works as a 24/7 support system, providing adaptive strategies and insights to enhance self-management skills and confidence throughout the concussion recovery journey.

Learn more about Shelley:

Shelley is an occupational therapist with over a decade of experience in treating individuals with traumatic brain injuries, and she has extensive training in concussion management and cognitive rehabilitation. Having endured persistent concussion symptoms herself, Shelley has unique insight into the complex and unique challenges that concussion symptoms bring to daily life. Her journey has led her to the forefront of enhancing occupational therapy with technology. She co-founded Brainbot, a digital rehab companion that leverages data and artificial intelligence to empower clients to understand and manage their concussion symptoms more effectively. Shelley's blend of clinical expertise, personal insight, and passion for innovative technology makes her a distinctive voice in the intersection of AI and occupational therapy.

This presentation is sponsored by NeckCare

Sharing life with brain injury from a survivor perspective and hope through song and encouragement.

Learn more about Cristabelle:

Cristabelle Braden is an award-winning singer/songwriter, speaker, writer, podcast host, and advocate for brain injury. She has fought through multiple traumatic brain injuries to come out on the other side carrying a strong message of resilience, hope, and healing. In the early stages of brain recovery, songs began to pour out of her. Her incredible journey has taken her from hospital rooms re-learning daily life tasks in brain injury rehabilitation to platforms across the nation. Whether speaking or singing, she brings her powerful testimony and a message of freedom, healing, and love wherever she goes. Cristabelle is devoted to bringing support and education through her popular brain injury podcast Hope Survives® and online support community Hope After Head Injury. Her years of commitment and attentiveness to brain injury survivors and their families through her online support community is evident and inspirational. Highly respected in the brain injury community, as Cristabelle is a member of the board of directors for Brain Injury Association of Pennsylvania (BIAPA), former member of the Board of Directors for the Council on Brain Injury (CoBI), and has advocated on a statewide and national level on Capitol Hill with the Brain Injury Association of America (BIAA).

More info: www.cristabellebraden.com

Support groups & podcast: www.hopeafterheadinjury.com

This presentation is sponsored by NeckCare

Empowering Recovery: Understanding Pain Reprocessing Therapy for Post-Concussion Syndrome" Synopsis: Explore the emerging field of Pain Reprocessing Therapy (PRT) and its application on post-concussion syndrome at the founding practice of the modality, the Pain Psychology Center. This session provides a concise overview of how PRT addresses the relationship between chronic symptoms and the nervous system. Gain practical insights into incorporating PRT techniques into your clinical practice and supporting PCS patients effectively on their recovery journey.

Learn more about Vanessa:

Vanessa Blackstone, ACSW, citizen of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians, is the Executive Director of the Pain Psychology Center and co-author of The Pain Reprocessing Therapy Workbook. She earned her M.S. in Social Work from the University of Southern California in Los Angeles, CA. Following her own personal recovery from chronic pain, Vanessa began her career as a therapist in 2018. In addition to chronic pain treatment, she specializes in sex therapy, substance use and recovery, mindfulness-based relapse prevention, and works on film sets as an Onset Wellness Professional. Outside of her professional roles, Vanessa is a former foster youth who advocates for current and former foster youth by sharing her personal experiences in public speaking events.

This presentation is sponsored by NeckCare

This talk will provide an overview of what trauma is, how trauma is stored in the body and brain, and the limits to talk therapy in healing trauma. This presentation will also provide knowledge on how specific therapy modalities can heal trauma at a deeper level.

Learn more about Lauren Auer:

Lauren Auer is a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor in the State of Illinois. She is the owner of Steadfast Counseling, a private practice specializing in comprehensive trauma care. Lauren is trained in EMDR and is a certified Brainspotting practitioner. Through these advanced modalities, she offers clients a holistic approach to healing, encompassing body, mind, and nervous system recovery, facilitating their journey beyond areas of stagnation towards profound liberation.

Before establishing her private practice, Lauren gained experience across diverse roles within mental health agencies. This journey granted her a comprehensive vantage point on the intricate impacts of trauma across various populations, age groups, developmental stages, and roles. Her background encompasses collaborative work with both offenders and victims, uniquely shaping her insight into the lived experience of trauma and its path to healing.

Lauren also has extensive experience conducting training sessions on critical subjects such as vicarious trauma and compassion fatigue. Her audience ranges from mental health practitioners and school personnel to law enforcement, military personnel, and medical staff. This breadth of experience underscores her commitment to empowering and equipping fellow professionals with the tools needed to address and mitigate the pervasive effects of trauma.

This presentation is sponsored by Jane

During this 45-minute experience, you will...

• Learn how Breathwork works + why it's the #1 tool to shift our emotions, subconscious, nervous system, and habits
• Gain new Breathwork techniques to create more fast, long-lasting, and transformative results for your clients
• Experience a RESET Breathwork journey, so you can feel the power and the benefits for yourself!

What is RESET Breathwork? RESET Breathwork goes beyond Wim Hof, pranayama, and meditation. It combines a 3-part conscious connected breathing pattern through the mouth, visualizations, affirmations, somatic release, and specific music sequencing to bring you to a peak emotional state. Through RESET Breathwork, you will: R-ecalibrate your nervous system E-levate your vibration S-omatically release stored emotions E-xpand your consciousness T-ransform into your most authentic self

Learn more about Dr. Cory Ostroot & Jessica Waala:

Dr. Cory Ostroot and Jessica Waala are master Breathwork facilitators and teacher trainers. As The Healing Couple, they lead soul-changing experiences to help go-getters release overwhelm and unlock ultimate freedom and success from the inside out. As a Naturopathic Physician and Yoga Teacher, they've traveled the world and experienced everything from plant medicine, talk therapy, yoga, personal development seminars, shamanic journeys, silent meditation retreats… you name it. But nothing came close to Breathwork for long-lasting transformation. Through breath, they've transmuted years of anxiety, burnout, and depression into deep inner peace, abundance in life and business, and true happiness. You can count on them for a down-to-earth approach to personal growth, to guide you to the deepest depths within, and to empower you to take real action and radically transform. When it comes to their last breaths, they want to say, "We did it ALL," and they want to help others go all in and make the most of this one precious life too. Today, Cory has stepped away as a full-time Physician and together, they've supported tens of thousands of humans all over the globe through their events, programs, and coaching and are known as the go-to secret weapon for many entrepreneurs and leaders. They are also founders of RESET Breathwork and have trained nearly 100 facilitators worldwide through their certification program. Their mission is to impact millions of lives, and they believe that together we can heal the world, and it starts with your breath.

This presentation is sponsored by NeckCare

This talk will provide an overview of what trauma is, how trauma is stored in the body and brain, and the limits to talk therapy in healing trauma. This presentation will also provide knowledge on how specific therapy modalities can heal trauma at a deeper level.

Learn more about Lauren Auer:

Lauren Auer is a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor in the State of Illinois. She is the owner of Steadfast Counseling, a private practice specializing in comprehensive trauma care. Lauren is trained in EMDR and is a certified Brainspotting practitioner. Through these advanced modalities, she offers clients a holistic approach to healing, encompassing body, mind, and nervous system recovery, facilitating their journey beyond areas of stagnation towards profound liberation.

Before establishing her private practice, Lauren gained experience across diverse roles within mental health agencies. This journey granted her a comprehensive vantage point on the intricate impacts of trauma across various populations, age groups, developmental stages, and roles. Her background encompasses collaborative work with both offenders and victims, uniquely shaping her insight into the lived experience of trauma and its path to healing.

Lauren also has extensive experience conducting training sessions on critical subjects such as vicarious trauma and compassion fatigue. Her audience ranges from mental health practitioners and school personnel to law enforcement, military personnel, and medical staff. This breadth of experience underscores her commitment to empowering and equipping fellow professionals with the tools needed to address and mitigate the pervasive effects of trauma.

This presentation is sponsored by Jane