Harrogate, Tenn. — Lincoln Memorial University (LMU) Athletics today announced a landmark concussion care and rehabilitation initiative designed to restore student‑athletes not just to sport, but to full function in life. Under the leadership of Don Grigsby, Associate Athletics Director for Sports Performance & Wellness, LMU's sports medicine program is elevating its approach to concussion management by centering occupational therapy and engaging concussion expert Dr. Joshua R. Johnson of Knoxville Orthopaedic & Concussion (KOC).
"At LMU, we see on average more than 30 concussions among our athletes each year," said Grigsby. "We refuse to settle for a basic return-to-play checkbox. With
Taylor Bowling, OT, leading the rehabilitation of our concussions and Dr. Johnson providing medical oversight, we're building a holistic pathway to get our student-athletes back not only to competition, but to full life, full function, and long-term wellness."
Occupational Therapy: A Unique Role in Concussion Rehabilitation
Occupational therapy (OT) adds crucial dimensions to concussion recovery that complement other specialties. By placing an OT like
Taylor Bowling at the helm of rehabilitation, LMU's program offers:
- Holistic recovery of daily life skills
Concussions often disrupt academic performance, self-care, driving, social participation, and routines. OTs target these domains to help athletes fully reintegrate into campus, community, and life.
- Cognitive and executive function support
OTs design individualized strategies for memory, attention, processing speed, organization, and executive planning—tailored to the athlete's academic and sport demands.
- Symptom pacing and graded exposure
OTs guide athletes in graded return to cognitive and physical activities, managing symptom flare-ups, and adjusting exposures in light, noise, screen time, and other stimuli.
- Environmental modifications and ergonomics
From lighting, workstation set-up, and sensory loadings to scheduling and classroom accommodations, OTs optimize the environment to reduce overload during recovery.
- Sensory, vestibular, and visual‑motor integration
Many OTs work in concert with vestibular and vision therapies; their training allows integration across modalities to support balance, gaze stability, and sensorimotor control.
- Psychosocial and self‑management coaching
Concussion recovery often brings anxiety, mood changes, frustration, or social withdrawal. OTs help athletes develop coping strategies, pacing frameworks, and self‑advocacy skills.
- Continuity and coordination of care
OTs frequently serve as the linchpin connecting the multiple therapy streams (vision, vestibular, physical therapy, neuropsychology) to ensure consistent progress and oversight.
By embedding OT as a core discipline, LMU ensures that concussion care does not end at "safe to play," but continues to full restoration of meaningful life activity.
Expert Medical Partnership: Dr. Joshua R. Johnson, MD
Dr. Johnson, a board‑certified physician specializing in Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation and sports medicine, brings advanced expertise in concussion diagnosis, management, and return-to-play protocols. At KOC, he provides care to athletes in collegiate, secondary, and community settings, including in Knox County and surrounding regions.
In the LMU model, Dr. Johnson serves as the medical lead—directing diagnostic evaluation (e.g. imaging, functional testing), clearances, oversight of rehabilitation progression, and coordination with the OT and ATs. This physician–OT partnership ensures integrated, high‑fidelity care for each athlete throughout every stage of recovery.
"Our approach focuses on communication, consistency, and keeping the athlete at the center of everything we do," said Bowling. "We aim to make each intervention, accommodation, and progression thoughtful and aligned with the individual's recovery goals."
Program Highlights & Commitment to Athlete Wellness
LMU's concussion recovery and rehabilitation protocol features:
- Preseason baseline assessment and post-concussion follow-up
- Multimodal rehabilitation across cognitive, vestibular, visual, and functional domains
- Structured symptom pacing and exposure strategies
- Academic support, accommodations, and reintegration planning
- Clear physician oversight, return-to-play decision making, and medical monitoring
- Unified care coordination, with consistent communication among all providers
Grigsby emphasized that LMU sees this program as not merely a safety net but an investment in the lifelong health of its student-athletes. "We believe in restoring them to full life, not just to the field."
