Physical therapy treatment after a concussion

A concussion can occur following an impact to the head or body. Symptoms vary from one person to another and may include headaches, fatigue, difficulty concentrating, blurred vision, dizziness, or a feeling of being “slowed down.” Although these symptoms are often temporary, they can be disruptive and delay the return to normal activities. The role of the physiotherapist is to support you at every stage of your recovery.

1. In the First Few Days: Guidance and Symptom Management

Recovery begins with a short period of relative rest, which means avoiding significant physical or cognitive exertion while remaining active within your tolerance limits.
During your initial appointment, we conduct a comprehensive assessment of your symptoms, physical abilities, and activity tolerance. We provide guidance on what to do—and what to avoid—during the first few days to promote optimal recovery.

2. Gradual Return to Activities

As your symptoms begin to improve, we help you progressively resume your daily, academic, professional, and sports activities.
We work with you to create a clear, step-by-step plan to increase activity intensity without causing symptom aggravation.
Our role is to guide you through this process safely and adjust the plan according to your progress.

3. Targeted Treatments Based on Your Symptoms

Every concussion is different. This is why physiotherapy is tailored to your specific needs. Depending on your situation, treatment may focus on:

• Cervical or muscular pain

• Dizziness and balance impairments

• Vestibular symptoms (motion intolerance, unstable vision)

• Physical exertion management and return-to-training progression

• Tolerance to movement, screens, and tasks combining physical and cognitive effort

We adjust the exercises and treatment techniques as you progress.

4. Return to Work, School, or Sport

We support you in returning to your usual activities. This may include:

• Temporary task modifications if needed

• Specific exercises related to your environment or sport

• A supervised return to physical activity, leading to a full, unrestricted return

Each step is validated to ensure your body and brain tolerate the progression well.

5. Ongoing Follow-Up and Referral When Needed

If symptoms persist longer than expected or if your recovery plateaus, your physiotherapist will guide you toward the appropriate resources (physician, neuropsychologist, occupational therapist). The goal is to provide you with comprehensive and coordinated care.

Summary

In physiotherapy, our role is to support you throughout every stage of your concussion recovery:

• Understanding your symptoms

• Guiding you through the first days

• Structuring a safe return to activities

• Treating persistent symptoms

• Supporting you until a full return to your activities

With appropriate follow-up, most individuals fully recover and resume their activities with confidence.

Reference

Institut national d’excellence en santé et en services sociaux (INESSS). Mild Traumatic Brain Injury (Concussion) – Information Sheet for Patients, Families and Care Providers. Québec; 2021.