Dr. Sanders with Alina Fong, PhD | Healing Concussions

Dr. John interviews Dr. Alina Fong, a neuropsychologist specializing in brain injuries, particularly concussions and post-concussion syndrome. Dr. Fong shares her journey, from growing up in Hawaii to earning her PhD and working with military veterans who suffered traumatic brain injuries (TBI) during the Iraq and Afghanistan wars. She discusses how concussions are often misunderstood due to the invisible nature of the injuries and the neuro-metabolic energy crisis that occurs in the brain after a concussion. Dr. Fong emphasizes that concussions do not always result in loss of consciousness, making it difficult for some to recognize the severity of the injury.
The conversation delves into the common symptoms of concussions, which include cognitive, emotional, and physical challenges, such as brain fog, irritability, and sensitivity to light and sound. Dr. Fong discusses the outdated practice of "cocooning" patients in dark rooms, which has been replaced by recommendations for light physical activity and social interaction within 24 to 48 hours after injury. She stresses the importance of early intervention and encourages patients to seek medical attention if symptoms persist, to avoid the progression to post-concussion syndrome (PCS), which is diagnosed when symptoms last longer than six months.
Dr. Fong also discusses the innovative treatments available at her clinic, Cognitive FX, located in Provo, Utah. The clinic uses functional MRI (fMRI) to assess brain function and develop personalized rehabilitation programs for concussion and PCS patients. The treatment program is an intensive two-week schedule that includes cognitive therapy, neuromuscular therapy, and physical rehabilitation. Dr. Fong highlights the success rate of her clinic, with 90% of patients reporting significant symptom reduction after just one week of treatment.