Can Physiotherapy Help With Concussions?

A concussion is a traumatic brain injury that can happen as a direct result of the head and brain moving too quickly back and forth or side to side. The rapid movement, often caused by a blow or sudden jolt can cause chemical changes in the brain making it difficult for brain cells to function and communicate.

Many people believe that if they did not lose consciousness, they did not suffer a concussion. The reality is, you don’t have to lose consciousness in order to suffer from a concussion. The fact is, only 6-10% of concussion patients actually lose consciousness.

Concussion symptoms may include headache, problems balancing, delayed reaction time, blurred vision, clumsiness, difficulty thinking clearly or concentrating, etc. Other symptoms may include mood changes and sleep issues. Symptoms can worsen over a short period; it is not uncommon for new symptoms to appear after your initial injury.

For the majority of people, concussion symptoms clear up after a few weeks of rest and gradual reintroduction of activities. When concussion symptoms last longer, it is categorized as a post-concussion syndrome or disorder where the symptoms can last for months, or even a year or more.

Physiotherapy can be useful in improving concussion symptoms and allowing you to resume your regular activities. Concussions should be properly managed and rehabilitated. Treatment may include a combination of education and exercise, along with manual therapy, vestibular rehabilitation, oculomotor retraining or acupuncture as required.

If you are experiencing a concussion be sure to book an appointment with any of our PROTx Services teams at one of our locations today.