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What is a concussion?

A concussion is a mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI) that occurs when the brain moves rapidly inside the skull following a blow to the head or body. This movement temporarily affects how the brain functions, leading to a variety of symptoms. Less than 10% of people lose consciousness when they have a concussion.

Common symptoms

Symptoms can appear immediately or develop over the next 24–48 hours. They vary from person to person and may include:

• Headache

• Dizziness or feeling off balance

• Nausea or vomiting

• Sensitivity to light or noise

• Blurred vision

• Feeling "foggy" or slowed down

• Difficulty concentrating or remembering things

• Fatigue or drowsiness

• Irritability or changes in mood

• Trouble sleeping

If symptoms worsen or new symptoms develop, seek medical attention promptly.

What should you do if you think you've had a concussion?

If you suspect you've suffered a concussion:

• Stop the activity immediately, particularly if it occurred during sport.

• Avoid returning to play, work, or exercise until you've been assessed.

• Rest for the first 24–48 hours, but avoid prolonged bed rest.

• Seek assessment from a healthcare professional experienced in concussion management.

If you experience severe headache, repeated vomiting, increasing confusion, weakness, seizures, loss of consciousness, or difficulty waking, seek emergency medical care immediately.

How has concussion management changed?

In the past, complete rest in a dark room was often recommended. We now know that while a short period of relative rest is important, prolonged inactivity can actually slow recovery.

Current best practice encourages:

• Relative physical and cognitive rest for the first 24–48 hours.

• A gradual return to normal daily activities as symptoms allow.

• Guided progression back to exercise, work, school, and sport under professional supervision.

How can physiotherapy help?

Physiotherapists play an important role in concussion recovery.

Following a thorough assessment, we can help identify the factors contributing to ongoing symptoms and develop an individualized rehabilitation plan.

Treatment may include:

• Balance and coordination retraining

• Vestibular rehabilitation for dizziness

• Neck assessment and treatment if the cervical spine is contributing to symptoms

• Exercise programmes to safely increase activity levels

• Advice on returning to work, school, and sport

• Education and reassurance throughout recovery

Every concussion is different, so rehabilitation should always be tailored to the individual.

How long does recovery take?

Most people recover within two to four weeks. However, some people experience symptoms that persist for longer and require additional support.

Early assessment and appropriate management can help optimise recovery and reduce the risk of prolonged symptoms.

Returning to sport

Returning to sport too early increases the risk of another concussion and can delay recovery.

A stepwise return-to-sport programme should only begin once symptoms are improving and should be supervised by an appropriate healthcare professional. Each stage should be completed without symptoms before progressing to the next.

When should you book an appointment?

If you've experienced a knock to the head or body and are experiencing symptoms such as headache, dizziness, difficulty concentrating, or balance problems, it's worth getting assessed.

At Mount Physio, our physiotherapists can assess your symptoms, provide evidence-based concussion management, and guide you through a safe return to work, study, exercise, and sport.

Recovering from a concussion isn't about rushing back—it's about giving your brain the time and support it needs to heal properly.