What is concussion?

A concussion is a mild traumatic brain injury (TBI) that occurs when a blow, bump, or jolt to the head (or a hit to the body that causes the head to move rapidly) disrupts normal brain function. This sudden movement can cause the brain to shake inside the skull, leading to chemical changes and sometimes injury to brain cells.

 

Concussion profiles

Vestibular profile

Refers to dysfunction in the vestibular system caused by concussion, which can lead to symptoms such as dizziness, balance issues and Benign Paroxismal Positional Vertigo (BPPV). Concussed individuals may experience vestibular impairments, motion sensitivity and spatial disorientation, affecting daily activities and return to sport, learning or work. Vestibular rehabilitation, including balance training and habituation exercises, is often required to return the vestibular system to normal.

Ocular Motor (eye movement) profile

Involves dysfunction in eye movement control, leading to symptoms such as blurred vision, difficulty with reading, eye strain, and headaches. Common impairments include convergence insufficiency, saccadic dysfunction and accommodation deficits, which can affect focus, depth perception and visual tracking. Targeted rehabilitation, including vergence and smooth pursuit exercises, is often essential for recovery.

Neck pain profile

Commonly associated with whiplash-like mechanisms, leading to neck pain, cervicogenic headaches & migraines, stiffness and reduced range of motion. Dysfunction in the cervical spine can contribute to dizziness, balance issues and prolonged concussion symptoms, often requiring manual therapy and targeted exercise therapy.

Headache/ Migraine profile

Is characterised by persistent headaches that may be tension-type or migraine-like, often triggered by light, noise or cognitive exertion. These headaches can be accompanied by nausea, dizziness and sensitivity to stimuli, requiring a multimodal approach to management, including medication, lifestyle modifications and Physiotherapy.

Mental health profile

Includes cognitive difficulties such as brain fog, reduced attention and memory impairment, which can impact daily functioning. Concussion can also contribute to anxiety, depression, mood disturbances and emotional dysregulation, often requiring a combination of short-term psychological medication and support, graded activity and symptom management strategies.

Sleep disturbances profile

Often includes difficulties such as insomnia, fragmented sleep and excessive daytime fatigue, which can prolong recovery and impact cognitive function. Disruptions to the sleep-wake cycle may be influenced by changes in melatonin production, pain, stress or autonomic dysfunction, requiring targeted management strategies.

Autonomic disturbance profile

Involves dysregulation of the autonomic nervous system, leading to symptoms such as dizziness, reduced exercise intolerance, heart rate variability and blood pressure instability. This can manifest as orthostatic intolerance, heightened sympathetic activity and difficulties with exertion. This profile requires medication management, targeted rehabilitation strategies like graded exercise therapy and autonomic retraining.

 

Working in Partnership

With a personalised healthcare approach, we collaborate with referrers to help our patients get back to what they love.

 

Frequently Asked Questions

If you think you’ve had a concussion, it's important to take it seriously and prioritise your recovery. Here’s what you should do:

  1. Stop and rest – If you were injured during sports, work or daily activities, stop what you’re doing and avoid any further risk of injury.
  2. Monitor your symptoms – Concussion symptoms can appear immediately or develop over hours or days. Common signs include headaches, dizziness, nausea, confusion, sensitivity to light or noise and difficulty concentrating.
  3. Seek medical advice – Even if your symptoms seem mild, it’s best to see a healthcare professional who understands concussions. See your GP immediately for a referral to the Comprehensive Concussion Clinic Ramsay Health Plus- Newcastle. Our Neurologists can conduct a comprehensive assessment and a tailored recovery plan
  4. Avoid screens, alcohol and intense activity – In the first 24-48 hours, rest your brain by minimising screen time, avoiding alcohol, and steering clear of strenuous activities.

Physiotherapy plays a crucial role in concussion recovery by helping you manage symptoms, restore function and safely return to daily activities, work, learning or sport. Here’s how it can help:

  1. Balance & dizziness (Vestibular rehabilitation) – Many people experience dizziness, vertigo or unsteadiness after a concussion. Physiotherapy can help retrain your balance system to reduce these symptoms.
  2. Neck pain & headaches/ migraines – Concussions often involve whiplash-like injuries to the neck. Physiotherapy can address muscle tension, joint stiffness and posture to relieve pain and improve mobility.
  3. Visual & co-ordination therapy – Issues with eye movement, focus or coordination are common. Physiotherapists use targeted exercises to improve visual tracking and hand-eye coordination.
  4. Guided return to activity – Returning to work, study or sport too soon can prolong recovery. A Physiotherapist will create a step-by-step plan to help you gradually and safely resume your routine.
  5. Exercise therapy for brain recovery – Controlled aerobic exercise has been shown to aid brain healing and reduce symptoms. Your Physiotherapist will guide you on the right type and intensity of exercise.

Our concussion Physiotherapists specialise in evidence-based treatments to help you recover safely and efficiently. If you're experiencing lingering symptoms, book an appointment today to start your personalised recovery plan.

Every concussion is different and recovery times vary from person to person. While some people start feeling better within a few days to a couple of weeks, others may experience symptoms for longer. Most mild concussions resolve within 2-4 weeks but factors like age, history of concussions and the severity of the injury can influence recovery.

If symptoms last longer than four weeks, it may indicate Persistent Post-Concussion Syndrome (PPCS), which requires a more structured treatment plan. Our team of leading specialists will assess your condition and develop a personalised recovery approach to help you get back to daily life, work, learning and sport safely.

If you’re unsure about your recovery or experiencing ongoing symptoms, book an appointment with our Comprehensive Concussion Clinic team for expert guidance and support.

Yes - A doctor (GP, Emergency Doctor, Sports Doctor etc) referral is required for your initial consult at the Comprehensive Concussion Clinic Ramsay Health Plus Lake Macquarie.

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