A concussion can affect more than just how you feel immediately after an injury. Symptoms may involve balance, dizziness, headaches, vision, movement, concentration, and tolerance to physical activity.
For some people, symptoms improve relatively quickly. For others, symptoms can continue and interfere with work, school, exercise, sports, or everyday activities.
Physiotherapy can be part of concussion rehabilitation when appropriate. A physiotherapist can assess movement, balance, dizziness, exercise tolerance, and other physical factors that may be contributing to difficulty returning to normal activities.
If you are looking for concussion physiotherapy in Ottawa, understanding what physiotherapy can and cannot do is an important first step.
What Is a Concussion?
A concussion is a type of mild traumatic brain injury that can occur after a blow or jolt to the head or body that causes the brain to move within the skull.
Symptoms can vary from person to person and may include: headache, dizziness, balance problems , nausea, sensitivity to light or noise, blurred or otherwise disturbed vision, fatigue, difficulty concentrating, difficulty tolerating physical activity, feeling slowed down or mentally "foggy", sleep changes.
Symptoms can also change over time. Someone may feel relatively well at rest but notice symptoms when returning to exercise, school, work, or other activities.
When Should You See a Physiotherapist for a Concussion?
Physiotherapy may be appropriate when physical symptoms are affecting your ability to return to your usual activities.
Depending on the individual's presentation and the physiotherapist assessment, physiotherapy may address areas such as:
- Balance and postural control
- Dizziness and movement-related symptoms
- Neck-related symptoms
- Headaches with a musculoskeletal component
- Exercise tolerance
- Gradual return to physical activity
- Movement and functional limitations
- Return to sport activities
A physiotherapy assessment can help determine whether physiotherapy is appropriate and what areas should be addressed.
Physiotherapy is only one part of concussion care. Depending on the symptoms and circumstances, collaboration with a physician or other healthcare professional may also be appropriate.
What Does Concussion Physiotherapy Involve?
There is no single physiotherapy program that is appropriate for everyone with a concussion. Treatment begins with an assessment of the individual's symptoms, activity limitations, movement, and physical function.
Your physiotherapist may assess areas such as:
Balance
Balance can sometimes be affected following a concussion. A physiotherapist may assess balance during different positions and movements to identify areas that may require rehabilitation.
Dizziness and Movement
Some people experience dizziness or symptoms when moving their head, changing positions, or visually tracking objects.
When appropriate, physiotherapy may include exercises designed around these specific symptoms.
Neck Movement
Neck pain or restricted neck movement can occur following some injuries associated with concussion.
A physiotherapist may assess neck movement and related musculoskeletal factors when these are relevant to the individual's symptoms.
Exercise Tolerance
Returning to physical activity is an important part of concussion recovery.
A physiotherapist may help assess how you respond to physical activity and develop a gradual exercise progression based on your presentation and tolerance.
Return to Sport
For athletes, returning to sport is generally a gradual process rather than simply deciding whether symptoms are present or absent.
Physiotherapy may help address physical components of the return to sport process, while considering the individual's symptoms, activity demands, and response to exercise.
How Can Physiotherapy Help With Returning to Activity?
One of the goals of physiotherapy rehabilitation can be helping a person gradually resume activities that have become difficult following a concussion.
This might include progressing:
Daily activities → work or school → exercise → sport-specific activity
The progression will not necessarily look the same for everyone. A physiotherapist can monitor how symptoms respond to physical activity and adjust exercises or activity levels accordingly.
The goal is not to push through significant symptoms. Instead, activity can be progressed in a controlled manner based on the person's response.
Concussion Recovery Is Not the Same for Everyone
It is important to avoid comparing your recovery with someone else's. Two people can experience similar injuries and have very different symptoms and activity limitations.
Factors such as the type of injury, previous injuries, physical activity demands, symptoms, sleep, stress, and other individual circumstances may influence someone's recovery experience.
If symptoms are persistent, worsening, or interfering with daily life, an appropriate healthcare professional can help determine the next steps.
Concussion Physiotherapy in Ottawa
If you are experiencing ongoing physical symptoms following a concussion, a physiotherapy assessment may help determine whether physiotherapy is appropriate for your situation
At Premier Physiotherapy Clinic in Ottawa, physiotherapy can address physical components of concussion rehabilitation, including movement, balance, exercise tolerance, and functional activity when these areas are appropriate for the individual.
Treatment is based on the assessment and the person's presentation rather than a one size fits all program.
If you are considering physiotherapy after a concussion, an assessment can help determine what areas may be appropriate to address and whether additional healthcare providers should be involved in your care.
Frequently Asked Questions About Concussion and Physiotherapy
Can physiotherapy help with concussion recovery?
Physiotherapy can be part of rehabilitation for some people follwoing a concussion. Depending on the individual's presentation, physiotherapy may address areas such as balance, dizziness, neck-related symptoms, exercise tolerance, movement, and return to physical activity.
What does a physiotherapy do for a concussion?
A physiotherapist can assess physical symptoms and functional limitations that may be relevant to concussion recovery. Depending on the assessment, treatment may include therapeutic exercises, balance activities, movement-based rehabilitation, and a gradual progression of physical activity.
How soon should I see a physiotherapist after a concussion?
The appropriate timing depends on the individual and their symptoms. Early after an injury, medical assessment may be appropriate. Once a person is medically appropriate for rehabilitation, physiotherapy may be considered when physical symptoms or activity limitations are present.
Can physiotherapy help with dizziness after a concussion?
Physiotherapy may help address certain types of dizziness following a concussion. A physiotherapist can assess symptoms and determine whether vestibular or movement-based rehabilitation may be appropriate.
Can physiotherapy help with headaches after a concussion?
Some headaches following a concussion may have a musculoskeletal component. A physiotherapist can assess the neck and related physical factors to determine whether physiotherapy may be appropriate.
Can I exercise after a concussion?
A gradual return to physical activity is generally recommended rather than prolonged complete rest after the acute phase. Activity should be progressed according to the individual's symptoms and tolerance.
How long does concussion recovery take?
Recovery time varies between individuals. There is no appropriate single timeline that applies to everyone. If symptoms are continuing or interfering with normal activities, an assessment by an appropriate healthcare professional can help determine the next steps.
Can I return to sports after a concussion?
Return to sport should be gradual and appropriate to the individual's symptoms, physical capacity, and activity demands. Physiotherapy may address physical components of the return to sport process when appropriate.
Do I need a doctor's referral to see a physiotherapist in Ontario?
A referral is not generally required to book an appointment with a physiotherapist in Ontario. However, whether you should first see another healthcare professional depends on your symptoms, injury, medical history, and circumstances.
When should I see a physiotherapist for a concussion?
Consider reaching out to a physiotherapist when concussion related symtpoms are affecting balance, movement, dizziness, exercise tolerance, neck function, or your ability to return to normal physical activities.
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