Concussion Physiotherapy | Common & Resolvable With Reliable Care

Concussions: They are common yet complex, controversial, and can be challenging.

People looking for concussion physiotherapy has been on the rise over the past several years. That’s in large part due to the fact that there’s has been a significant increase in awareness of concussions over the past decade. Seeing athletes such as hockey and football players struggle with symptoms and their return to sport has really raised the awareness around these injuries. Many people can say that they personally know someone who has had a concussion, or have had one themselves.

The definition of this injury, according to the Consensus Statement on Concussion in Sport, is “a complex pathophysiological process affecting the brain, induced by biomechanical forces” (for a summary please visit this article on the Canadian Medical Association Journal). However, this definition does not fully convey the challenges and the complexity often associated with sustaining this type of head injury.

Many Misconceptions

There are various misconceptions about concussions, some of the most common ones include:

A direct hit to the head is needed to have sustained this type of injury
You must lose consciousness to have sustained this injury
You must completely rest in a dark room until all symptoms disappear.
Symptoms will always just go away with time.

All of the above (based on our current understanding of concussions) are false!

A direct hit to the head is not required to sustain one of these injuries (such as with rapid head movement sustained during whiplash).
Concussions frequently do not result in losing consciousness (although loss of consciousness can occur).
Short term/initial rest periods (24-48 hours) may be helpful immediately following a this kind of injury. Unfortunately, prolonged or complete rest periods may actually delay recovery (medical assessment and guidance is always recommended following concussive events).
Symptoms usually improve during the recovery period, however some individuals have continued symptoms, such as in “Post Concussion Syndrome (PCS)”.

Symptoms and Recovery

While many concussions fully recover over 2-4 weeks, these injury events can result in lasting symptoms and challenges, or “sticking points”. This is due to a concussion impacting other systems of the body. These can include the vision, vestibular (inner ear/balance), neck, cognitive, psychological and energy systems.

While anyone who has sustained a concussion should be seen by a medical professional, those with residual symptoms/difficulties will also benefit from consulting additional healthcare professionals. This will depend on which symptoms and body systems are affected (such as seeing an optometrist if there has been vision changes). Residual or persisting effects of concussions can be challenging and often affect day to day life. However, it is important to know that many of the symptoms and difficulties can be successfully treated with physiotherapy.

Treatment – Concussion Physiotherapy

Beginning physiotherapy for a concussion or post concussion symptoms starts with a thorough assessment to help develop a comprehensive plan. Physiotherapy will look different for every individual depending on their specific symptoms, challenges and goals (no one is the same); however, physiotherapy often includes:

Exercise therapy
Manual therapy (commonly for the neck)
Vestibular and balance therapy
Individualized education on reducing/managing symptoms

Physiotherapy may also be helpful in more recent concussions, and in helping to guide and facilitate successful return to activities such as school, work and sports. If you are currently struggling with symptoms or deficits after suffering a concussive injury, consulting with a physiotherapist trained in this condition may be the next step to returning to and enjoying the activities that matter most in your life.

Bellefleur Physiotherapy currently offers concussion physiotherapy at it’s Orleans and Beechwood locations. If you have any questions or wish to have a free discovery session to learn if physiotherapy may be right for you, we’d be glad to help!

-This article was prepared by Christopher Rigby, a Physiotherapist with experience dealing with concussions and vestibular conditions.

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Chris Rigby

Chris Rigby completed his Master’s of Physiotherapy in 2019 from McMaster University and previously completed an Honours Bachelor of Health Sciences in 2017 from the University of Ottawa. Before moving back to Ottawa in 2021, Chris worked in a small town community practice clinic and a regional hospital, gaining experience in a broad range of physiotherapy practices across different health care settings. One of the things that drew Chris to physiotherapy was the opportunity to connect with people in helping them to address pain and overcome limitations. He uses a combination of education, manual therapy, exercise, and adjunct therapeutic techniques to assist individuals in reaching their goals. Chris has special interests in helping clients with knee pain and rehabilitation, BPPV (a type of vertigo) and optimal ageing through a healthy relationship with exercise.