Concussion & Physiotherapy

You may have seen concussion on the news or heard about it on the radio.

There is growing concern in Australia and internationally about the incidence of sport-related concussion and the potential health ramifications for athletes (Concussion in Sport Australia, 2019). Concussion can occur not only in every sport (including dance) but also at work, during a motor vehicle accident and during kids’ play. There were almost 3,100 hospitalisations for concussion caused by sports alone in 2020–21. (AIHW)

What is a concussion?

A concussion is an injury to the brain that results in temporary loss of normal brain function. Medically, it is defined as a syndrome characterised by immediate and transient alteration in brain function, including alteration of mental status or level of consciousness, that results from mechanical force or trauma. (AANS).

Common Symptoms of Concussion include

Memory loss	Nausea or vomiting
Confusion	Ringing ears
Headache	Difficulty concentrating
Vision disturbances (double or blurry vision)	Sensitivity to light
Dizziness or imbalance	Loss of smell or taste
Trouble falling asleep	Neck pain

Symptoms can often last weeks, sometimes they can resolve, only to reappear when returning to more challenging environments and tasks.

How does a concussion occur?

Concussions can occur from not only head-strike but also via whiplash or a blow to the body. It is very important to ensure that there is no significant injury to the brain, head or neck following such an incident. It can be scary when you or a loved one experiences these symptoms without knowing why and often we don’t associate concussion with incidents other than head knocks.

Should a doctor be involved?

When concussion symptoms are present a medical professional should be involved in diagnosing and managing the symptoms. Depending on the situation this may involve immediate ambulance/hospitalisation or relative rest and guidance from a doctor to return to all pre-injury activities (not just sport). Scans may also be warranted to rule out other issues that would require more targeted treatment. A concussion usually does not show-up on a scan, but the symptoms should still be taken seriously.

How do Sports Doctors and Physiotherapy help?

At Performance Medicine we can support you, your family and your sports’ team navigate concussion recovery and your return to pre-injury lifestyle. With the involvement of our sports doctors and physiotherapists we can help guide you or your child’s return to sport and school/work while respecting the current sport protocols and recovery timeframes.

For more complex presentations we may also involve and refer you to neurologists and specialist neurological physiotherapists as part of the rehabilitation process.

The treatment for concussion is no longer a “wait and see” approach. Concussion treatment and rehabilitation is an active process that targets your symptoms specifically and because everyone’s experience of concussion is different it is important to seek individual treatment.

Do you have concussion symptoms?

If you have sustained a concussion, book in with one of our doctors or physiotherapist for a concussion assessment so that we can get you on the road to recovery.

Book Now to see one of our physiotherapists

Please note:

If you or someone you are caring for has sustained an injury and are experiencing nausea, vomiting or loss of consciousness and you require urgent medical attention, please call 000.