A concussion is a mild traumatic brain injury. It happens when a bump, blow or jolt to the head or body makes the brain move quickly inside the skull. Today, concussion treatment focuses on brief rest and then a gradual, guided return to activity, not weeks in a dark room. Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation of NY & CT (PMR) provides rehab for lingering dizziness, balance, vision and neck symptoms, working with your physician, at offices in Danbury, CT and Brewster, NY.
When to get urgent care
Anyone with a suspected concussion should be checked by a physician. Call 911 or go to the emergency room right away if, after a head injury, you or your child has:
- A headache that gets worse and doesn’t go away
- Repeated vomiting, or a seizure
- Confusion, unusual behavior, growing agitation, or drowsiness that makes it hard to wake up
- One pupil larger than the other, double vision, slurred speech, or weakness, numbness or poor coordination
- Severe neck pain or tenderness
- Any loss of consciousness or, in a baby or toddler, crying that can’t be soothed or refusing to nurse or eat
These can be signs of bleeding or swelling in the brain, and they can appear hours after the injury. In the ER, doctors may use a CT scan to check for bleeding, though a concussion itself usually doesn’t show up on scans. An athlete with a possible concussion should stop playing right away and not return the same day.
Common concussion symptoms
Symptoms may start right away or over the next day or two. They often include:
- Headache, neck pain or pressure in the head
- Dizziness, balance problems or nausea
- Blurry vision or sensitivity to light and noise
- Feeling foggy, slowed down or unable to concentrate
- Sleep changes and irritability
Mood changes and anxiety are also common. Tell your physician about them, because they may need their own care.
How concussion treatment and rehab can help
Most people recover within a few weeks. When symptoms linger, or keep you from school, work or sport, targeted concussion rehab may help. It’s sometimes called concussion physical therapy, and your plan is matched to what your evaluation finds.
Dizziness and balance
A concussion can disrupt the inner ear and the brain’s balance pathways. Vestibular rehabilitation uses gaze stabilization, balance and habituation exercises to retrain them. A head injury can also trigger BPPV, a positional vertigo your clinician can test for and treat.
Eye movements
Trouble reading, tracking a moving ball or looking at screens is common after a concussion. Exercises work on focusing, following a target and shifting your gaze quickly. If vision problems persist, we may suggest an eye specialist.
The neck
The forces behind a concussion often strain the neck too, as in whiplash. Neck pain and stiffness can feed headaches and dizziness, so care may include hands-on treatment, mobility work and strengthening. Learn more about neck pain care at PMR.
Graded exercise
Light aerobic exercise, such as riding a stationary bike, starts below the level that brings on symptoms and builds gradually. Well-dosed activity may support recovery and prepares athletes for returning to play.
Returning to school, work and sport
Recovery follows a step-by-step plan under medical guidance:
- Relative rest for a day or two, keeping to activities that don’t worsen symptoms
- Light activity, such as walking
- School or work, with breaks or shorter days if needed
- Sport-specific exercise with no contact
- Non-contact training drills
- Full-contact practice, only after medical clearance
- Return to competition
Each step usually lasts at least 24 hours, and you drop back a step if symptoms worsen. Students should be fully back at school before returning to full-contact sport.
Connecticut and New York both have school sports concussion laws. In general, a student athlete with a suspected concussion must be removed from play and can return only with written clearance from a physician or another provider that state law allows. For a sports concussion, PMR coordinates with the athlete’s physician, athletic trainer and school. You can also read about our care for other sports injuries.
Frequently asked questions
How long does it take to recover from a concussion?
Most people feel better within a few weeks, though recovery varies. Children and teens, people with a previous concussion and those with migraines may take longer. Good sleep and a gradual return to activity support recovery. If symptoms aren’t improving, ask your physician about a rehab evaluation.
What is post-concussion syndrome?
Post-concussion syndrome is a term often used when symptoms such as headaches, dizziness, fatigue or trouble concentrating last longer than expected. It’s usually managed by a team. Your physician oversees your concussion treatment overall, while rehab can target specific problems, such as dizziness, neck pain or low exercise tolerance, that may be slowing your recovery.
Can you get a concussion without hitting your head?
Yes. A hard hit to the body, or a sudden jolt such as a car crash, can whip the head back and forth and move the brain inside the skull. That’s why people with whiplash sometimes have concussion symptoms too. If you feel foggy, dizzy or headachy after a crash or fall, get checked by a physician.
Schedule a concussion rehab evaluation
If a physician has checked you and your symptoms are hanging on, ask us about concussion treatment and rehab. Call the office nearest you or request an appointment, and see the full list of conditions PMR treats.
- PMR of Danbury, CT: (203) 744-8013
- PMR of Brewster, NY: (845) 279-1135