Your Concussion Recovery Pathway

A concussion is a type of brain injury that can result from activities such as playing sports, falling, or being in a car accident¹. If you get a concussion, you might feel dizzy, confused, or sick¹. It’s important to go to a hospital or clinic right away so a doctor or nurse practitioner can check you for a concussion².

To figure out if you have a concussion, the doctor or nurse practitioner will ask how you got your injury and what symptoms you’re having¹. They might also use different strategies and tools to help them decide⁴. These may include assessments to screen for symptoms or to check your thinking (e.g. memory) or physical abilities (e.g. balance and reflexes)⁴. Sometimes, they may order a CT scan (which takes pictures of your brain) to make sure you don’t have other more serious injuries¹.

If you are diagnosed with a concussion, it is recommended to follow a period of relative rest for 24 to 48 hours^1,2,3,4. This means you can still do light activities like taking a shower, reading, or walking—but only if you feel okay doing them^3,4. The key is not to push yourself too hard.

You don’t have to be completely symptom-free before going back to school or work, but you should return slowly and pay attention to how you’re feeling^3,4. Most people start to feel better within 7 to 10 days, but for some, symptoms can last longer^3,4,5. If your symptoms go on for more than 2 to 4 weeks, you should see a healthcare provider with experience in concussion management⁴.

Your Healthcare Team during Concussion Recovery

Depending on your needs, your healthcare team might include one or more of the following: occupational therapist, physiotherapist, chiropractor, mental health professional, neuro-optometrist, or speech-language pathologist.

Your team can work with you on a plan to help you return to school, work, sports, or other activities that are important to you, as well as manage your symptoms². They might also suggest changes—called accommodations—to help make things easier². For example, you might start with half-days at school or work, take more frequent breaks during the day, or work from home if needed³.

Some common ways your health care team can support you in your concussion recovery include the following:

1. Occupational Therapist⁶
   • Return to work/school strategies
   • Fatigue and pain management
   • Sleep hygiene
   • Cognitive (thinking) strategies
   • Strategies to manage stress and anxiety
   • Support with aids and adaptations (i.e., adapt task or environment)
2. Physiotherapist/Chiropractor⁷
   • Retrain balance, vision, and movement patterns (e.g. walking)
   • Improve coordination and strength
   • Reduce physical symptoms through active rehabilitation and manual (hands-on) treatment
   • Address back and neck pain or headaches
3. Mental health professional (e.g psychologist, psychotherapist, social worker)⁹
   • Address anxiety, depression, or trauma
   • Teach coping strategies
   • May provide strategies including cognitive behaviour therapy, dialectical behaviour therapy, or acceptance and commitment therapy
4. Neuro-Optometrist¹⁰
   • Retrain eye movement and coordination
   • Provide accommodative eyewear
5. Speech Language Pathologist¹¹
   • Strategies for cognitive communication (e.g. hearing, speaking, participating in social settings)

As your symptoms decrease and your activity tolerance improves, you can gradually return to more of your daily activities ^1,2. Note that you may need clearance from your primary care provider before you can return to activities with a risk of re-injury, such as contact sports.

Final Thoughts

Navigating the healthcare system during your concussion recovery can be challenging and, at times, overwhelming. Every recovery journey is unique and may require support from different healthcare providers along the way. While it is normal for your recovery to involve some trial and error, collaboration and open communication with your health care team are key to successful outcomes.

References

1. Master, C. L., Mayer, A. R., Quinn, D., & Grady, M. F. (2018). Concussion. Annals of Internal Medicine, 169(1), ITC1–ITC16. https://doi.org/10.7326/AITC201807030
2. Marshall S., Lithopoulos A., Curran D., Fischer L., Velikonja D., & Bayley, M. (2023). Living Concussion Guidelines: Guideline for Concussion & Prolonged Symptoms for Adults 18 years of Age or Older. https://concussionsontario.org
3. Patricios, J. S., Schneider, K. J., Dvorak, J., Ahmed, O. H., Blauwet, C., Cantu, R. C., Davis, G. A., Echemendia, R. J., Makdissi, M., McNamee, M., Broglio, S., Emery, C. A., Feddermann-Demont, N., Fuller, G. W., Giza, C. C., Guskiewicz, K. M., Hainline, B., Iverson, G. L., Kutcher, J. S., … Meeuwisse, W. (2023). Consensus statement on concussion in sport: the 6th International Conference on Concussion in Sport–Amsterdam, October 2022. British Journal of Sports Medicine, 57(11), 695–711. https://doi.org/10.1136/bjsports-2023-106898
4. Concussion Awareness Training Tool. (2025). What is concussion? https://cattonline.com/concussion
5. Permenter CM, Fernández-de Thomas RJ, Sherman AL. Postconcussive Syndrome. [Updated 2023 Aug 28]. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2025 Jan-. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK534786/#
6. Jaber, A. F., Hartwell, J., & Radel, J. D. (2019). Interventions to address the needs of adults with post-concussion syndrome: A systematic review. American Journal of Occupational Therapy, 73(1), 1–12. https://doi.org/10.5014/ajot.2019.028993
7. Robertson, M. K., & McLoughlin, J. (2024). The role of the physiotherapist in concussion. The South African Journal of Physiotherapy, 80(1), 2013–2013. https://doi.org/10.4102/sajp.v80i1.2013
8. Cancelliere, C., Howitt, S., Halowski, T., Jacobs, C., Da Roza, M., Wright, D., Connell, G., & Yu, H. (2024). Expanding concussion care in Canada: the role of chiropractors and policy implications. Journal of the Canadian Chiropractic Association, 68(2), 86–97.
9. Tracey, A. J., Bateman, A. G., Baez, S. E., & Covassin, T. (2023). Effectiveness of interventions for the improvement of mental health and well-being post-concussion: a systematic review. Brain Injury, 37(10), 1135–1158. https://doi.org/10.1080/02699052.2023.2219901
10. Simpson-Jones, M. E., & Hunt, A. W. (2019). Vision rehabilitation interventions following mild traumatic brain injury: a scoping review. Disability and Rehabilitation, 41(18), 2206–2222. https://doi.org/10.1080/09638288.2018.1460407
11. Knollman Porter, K., Constantinidou, F., & Marron, K. H. (2014). Speech-Language Pathology and Concussion Management in Intercollegiate Athletics: The Miami University Concussion Management Program. American Journal of Speech-Language Pathology, 23(4), 507–519. https://doi.org/10.1044/2014_AJSLP-13-0126

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