How Physio Helps with Concussions
How Physio Helps with Concussions
Struggling with concussion symptoms you can’t quite shake? That makes sense! Concussions are traumatic brain injuries that can temporarily affect your brain’s ability to function. So they’re a big deal.
The good news is that even though concussions are something we want to take seriously, they rarely cause permanent damage. Most people recover completely with time, consistency, and a therapeutic plan from their concussion physiotherapist.
In this post, we help you make sense of your concussion, your symptoms, and the best way to rehabilitate both as fast as possible—and for the long term.
If you’re “in it” with a nasty concussion right now, stay with us. And take heart! You will feel like yourself again. And it all starts with reading this post.
What a Concussion Is (Other Than “The Worst”)
Concussions are traumatic brain injuries. Some people still call them “mild” traumatic brain injuries—but that feels a little dismissive to us. After all, more and more research is showing that concussions are anything but “mild.” Plus, any brain injury is a serious one!
It’s typical for a concussion to bring on any of the following symptoms. (Which aren’t mild at all.)
Headaches
Migraines
Fatigue
Dizziness
Vertigo
Nausea
Difficulty balancing
Trouble sleeping
Visual disturbances
Difficulty looking at screens
There’s a myth out there that concussions are mostly the result of playing sports. But any “big” impact on the head, neck, or body that results in a lot of pressure in your head can cause a concussion. That means everything from car accidents to “slip and fall” incidents is fair game.
Why It’s Important To Get Physiotherapy After a Concussion
Concussion physiotherapy will speed up your recovery. For decades, professionals recommended rest and darkness for concussions. But now, evidence shows that doing nothing for too long makes concussion symptoms last longer. So after a few days of rest, it’s important to slowly and safely begin moving again. And the best way to do that is under the watchful eye of a concussion-trained physiotherapist.
How Physiotherapy Helps Concussions
Concussion physiotherapists have the training it takes to address the symptoms of your concussion—and rehabilitate the brain injury that’s causing them, too. (This is what helps speed up the healing process!)
Besides giving you treatment, your therapist will help you make important decisions along your road to recovery, like how much to rest or move. Or when it’s worth pushing yourself a little and when it’s not.
They’ll also keep a close and caring eye on you throughout your recovery. They’ll measure your symptoms and brain function during your first visit and monitor your progress as you go. Which helps them ensure you’re progressing as they’d expect you to—without ever pushing too hard.
The Benefits of Seeing a Concussion Physiotherapist
After a few sessions, you’re likely to experience:
Faster recovery
Less neck pain
Fewer headaches
Fewer instances of dizziness
Better balance
Improvement in your vision symptoms
Better brain function (less brain fog!)
There are other ways to treat a concussion, but if your goal is a quick and long-lasting recovery—and you want something non-invasive that doesn’t rely on drugs for too long—physiotherapy is the best one.
How Concussion Physiotherapy Works
Concussion physio starts during your assessment when your therapist conducts tests to assess the severity of your brain injury and asks you questions to get an understanding of how your symptoms are affecting you.
From there, they’ll create a treatment plan that’s focused on rehabilitating any issues being caused by your concussion. Often, the parts of your brain and body that are most affected will be your neck and your abilities to balance, exert yourself, and take in visual stimuli without becoming symptomatic.
4 Common Physiotherapy Treatments For Concussions
Every concussion is different, so every treatment plan is different, too. But often, concussion physiotherapy will involve at least one of the following treatments:
#1 Balance Training
If you’re dealing with balance-related concussion symptoms like dizziness and vertigo, your therapist might treat your vestibular system using techniques like balance training.
#2 Ocular Reflex Training
If you’re experiencing visual disturbances following your concussion, your physiotherapist might use a technique called “ocular reflex training” to help you address them by improving your visual control.
#3 Manual Therapy
If your concussion is causing you pain—things like headaches, migraines, or neck pain—your physiotherapist might use manual therapy techniques to increase the range of movements in stiff joints. They may also use massage and myofascial release to address tight muscles and soothe irritated tissues.
#4 Exercise Prescription
If your concussion symptoms get worse when you exert yourself, your therapist might make you a progressive exercise program that helps you get back to the effort levels you used to operate at—without getting flared up.
Concussion Physiotherapy at Capria
At Capria, we offer everything mentioned above—but we also take a whole-person approach to your care. That means we start by listening and learning your whole story. Then, we provide the treatment that’s most effective for you, as an individual.
Depending on what you need most, your concussion treatment plan could include a mix of methods, modalities, and treatment styles like:
Manual Therapy
Joint Manipulation
IMS Needling
Massage
Gentle Active Rehabilitation
Here, you won’t just be seen by a therapist. You’ll be heard, too.
Concussion Physiotherapy FAQs
I just suffered a concussion. What should I do?
We’d recommend taking it easy for at least the first 2 days after your concussion and seeing someone after that. Physiotherapists can diagnose concussions, so you don’t need to see your doctor first, but of course, you can if you prefer to.
How do I know if I have a concussion?
You get a physiotherapist to diagnose you! Even if you don’t play sports, didn’t hit your head, and didn’t lose consciousness, you could still be concussed and need treatment. If you suspect you have a concussion, come see us. We’ll help you figure it out.
Is vestibular physiotherapy the same as concussion physio?
Vestibular physical therapy (AKA vestibular rehabilitation) focuses on issues that affect or involve the brain, spinal cord, and nerves (the vestibular system). Sometimes a physio will draw on vestibular therapy techniques as part of your concussion rehab, but the two are not the same thing.
How To Get Physiotherapy Treatment After a Concussion
If you’re in Coquitlam, the easiest way is to book an appointment with us 😉
Our clinic has tons of 5-star reviews. And we have a concussion-trained physiotherapist who’s here and ready to help you!
Complete the form below to book your concussion physio assessment. Or email us with any questions you have.