Concussion From a Sports Injury
Recovering from a sports-related concussion with physiotherapy
Are you currently a practicing athlete? Have you recently been diagnosed with a concussion? If so, chances are you’ve been experiencing uncomfortable symptoms that are starting to interfere with your daily life. And while concussions can take you out of the game fast, there’s a quicker way to recover! At Momentum Health in Creekside, Deerfoot, Mahogany, Ogden, Seton, Westbrook, West Springs, Evidence North, Evidence South and National Spine & Wellness, our licensed physiotherapists treat post-concussion pain and restore healthy functions so you can safely return to athletics.
To set up an appointment, call our clinic today!
Physiotherapy helps patients reduce pain, improve functions, and overcome concussion symptoms without harsh medications or uncomfortable procedures. Instead, physiotherapy focuses on strengthening exercises.
If you have any of the following symptoms after injury…
- Severe or increasing headache
- Loss of consciousness
- Seizure or convulsion
- Vomiting
- Double vision
- Weakness or tingling/burning in arms or legs
call an ambulance
What is a concussion, and how can physiotherapy help?
A concussion is a minor traumatic brain injury that several sports accidents can cause, such as a helmet-to-helmet hit or a direct fall on the head and neck. Millions of people experience a traumatic brain injury each year who don’t know that physiotherapy is one of the most effective ways to recover.
Most athletes want to stay away from medications because of issues like dependency and potential side effects. Rather, we address your condition and treat symptoms directly with a series of effective healing methods. In some cases, however, concussions should be seen by a doctor first to make sure no other serious injuries have occurred.
Concussions in the world of sports
Aside from falls, the leading cause of concussions is sports-related injuries. You are especially susceptible to concussions if you play a contact sport such as football or soccer. Typically, people will fully recover from a concussion, but recovery can be prolonged if instructions aren’t followed, or rehab is delayed. Other causes of concussions include work accidents, playground injuries, and vehicle collisions.
Here are some examples of when a concussion would occur during sports:
- A gymnast falling on their neck and head after incorrect execution of a skill
- A head-on collision during a tackle in football
- A soccer player heading a ball incorrectly
- An accidental collision between two skiers
- A BMX biker landing on their head during an accident
Each of these events can easily cause a concussion, either mild, moderate, or severe.
Signs and Symptoms
Symptoms of a concussion can affect your mental, physical, and emotional health. While it may be tempting to return to sports as soon as possible, you must prioritize rest and nurture your recovery to avoid worsening your issue down the line.
You may notice concussion symptoms immediately after the event, while others will appear gradually. Symptoms of a concussion can include:
Athletes who have suffered a concussion may also appear irritable, anxious, and stressed or display frequent mood swings and changes in behaviour.
The majority of people with acute concussions should recover within a few weeks. However, in some cases, concussion symptoms can persist for weeks, months, or even years. Practitioners refer to this as Persisting post concussion symptoms (PPCS). PPCS can be a frustrating issue that leaves patients desperate for a solution.
Thankfully, physiotherapy can help you heal whether you have PPCS or mild symptoms from a recent brain injury. The important thing is that concussions should be addressed as soon as possible.
The Most Common Questions our physiotherapists get about concussions
How soon can I get back to my sport after a concussion?
Rest for 24-48 hours is absolutely paramount after any concussion. Returning to sport or play requires medical clearance. We will collaborate with your doctor or a Sport Medicine Physician as necessary to provide appropriate guidelines for you and a gradual return to sport.
Won’t a concussion just get better with rest?
The majority of symptoms from a concussion can resolve independently within 10-15 days. Complications can occur without proper medical monitoring and the careful prevention of further injury even within this time period. To avoid long-lasting or serious complications, it is critical to seek a multidisciplinary approach including physiotherapy and sports medicine after a suspected or diagnosed concussion.
If I have had a concussion in the past, does that put me at a higher risk of another concussion?
Unlike physical injuries, concussion recurrence does not have the same body of evidence involved. Some of this is because a concussion can come from multiple mechanisms of injury, ranging from slipping on ice, to sport-related, to a car collision. The most important part is to ensure you have medical clearance to begin a gradual return to your activities to reduce the risk of serious complications should a re-injury occur.
What about imaging? Should I get a blood test or brain scan to diagnose a concussion?
Advanced imaging may be used in the emergency room to rule out life-threatening conditions. Concussion diagnosis, following the latest guidelines however, are individualized and continue to be based on healthcare provider assessments. While many forms of technology (such as brain scans, blood and saliva tests) hold promise from a research standpoint, these technologies aren’t yet ready for mainstream management of a concussion.
What to expect during treatment
Physiotherapists will look at your cardiovascular, neurological, and orthopedic systems to assess the root cause of your pain and design an appropriate treatment plan. Initially, you will start treatment with a comprehensive assessment in which your therapist will analyze the event of your injury and other important medical details. Then, you will be provided with a rehabilitation plan that is tailored to your needs and recovery goals.
For post-concussion recovery, commonly practiced strategies include manual (hands-on) therapy, therapeutic massage, strengthening exercises, vision therapy, cognitive therapy, and more. As your recovery progresses, you may participate in light cardio exercises such as walking or jogging on a treadmill, which will help ease your way back into athletics.
Get started today.
We know that waiting isn’t easy which is why our experienced physiotherapists at Momentum Health in Creekside, Deerfoot, Mahogany, Ogden, Seton, Westbrook, West Springs, Evidence North, Evidence South and National Spine & Wellness are eager to help you heal as quickly, safely, and efficiently as possible.
If you or anyone you know has recently suffered from a concussion, call our clinic today!
If you are doing research on someone else’s behalf (so they can have a screen break!), consider these resources.
Kathryn Schneider, PT, PhD has written a ‘best practices’ document for the Sport Injury Research Council, applicable to all sports. This details the latest guidelines and a summary of some of the latest information, including some of the action plans Dr. Schneider presented to the Government of Canada
Read Nicole’s blog on how much rest is appropriate after a suspected or confirmed concussion.
Check an interview transcript from Dr. Kathryn Schneider, PT, PhD and Dr. Cory Wowk, MD.
Read a blog from Kristen Hunter on the dangers of untreated concussions.
Parents, coaches and trainers need to be part of the prevention strategy. Read the resources available at Parachute Canada and the Canadian Concussion Collaborative and let our multidisciplinary group of clinics take good care of you.
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