How Physiotherapy Helps With Concussion Recovery

A concussion is a mild brain injury that can affect how you think, move, balance, and process sensory information. While rest is important in the first few days, many symptoms improve faster and more completely with targeted concussion physiotherapy.
Physiotherapists trained in concussion management help guide your recovery safely and gradually, reducing symptoms and restoring your normal activities.

1. Assessing Your Specific Symptoms

Every concussion is different. Physiotherapists will evaluate:

  • dizziness or vertigo

  • headaches and neck pain

  • balance issues

  • visual or focus problems

  • sensitivity to light or movement

  • fatigue and exercise intolerance

This helps build a personalized treatment plan instead of a generic “rest until better” approach.

2. Treating Neck Pain and Whiplash-Related Symptoms

Many concussion symptoms actually come from the neck, especially after falls, sports injuries, or car accidents.
Physiotherapy can help with:

  • gentle manual therapy

  • soft-tissue release

  • posture retraining

  • mobility and strengthening exercises

Improving neck function often reduces headaches, dizziness, and visual tension.

3. Improving Balance and Coordination

Concussions can disrupt the systems that help you stay upright and move confidently.
Physiotherapists use targeted balance exercises to retrain:

  • inner ear (vestibular) input

  • proprioception

  • stability during walking, turning, or bending

This helps you feel steadier and safer in daily activities.

4. Vestibular Rehabilitation for Dizziness and Motion Sensitivity

If you experience spinning, unsteadiness, or nausea with movement, vestibular rehab can help. Techniques may include:

  • gaze stabilization exercises

  • habituation to reduce motion sensitivity

  • balance retraining

  • strategies to manage dizziness

These exercises help the brain re-organize and reduce dizziness more quickly.

5. Vision and Eye-Tracking Rehabilitation

A concussion can affect how your eyes move or work together, leading to:

  • blurred vision

  • difficulty reading

  • eye strain

  • headaches

  • trouble focusing on screens

Physiotherapists provide exercises to improve:

  • smooth pursuit (tracking)

  • saccades (quick eye movements)

  • convergence (eyes working together)

  • visual coordination with head movement

Improving these areas often reduces headaches and fatigue.

6. Guided, Gradual Return to Exercise

One of the most effective concussion treatments is controlled, sub-symptom exercise.
Physiotherapists guide safe progression through:

  • heart-rate–based aerobic exercise

  • breathing and pacing strategies

  • sport- or work-specific training

This helps regulate blood flow, reduce fatigue, and accelerate recovery—without overdoing it.

7. Supporting Return to School, Work, and Sport

A physiotherapist helps you transition safely back into:

  • concentration tasks

  • screen time

  • job duties

  • workouts or training

  • competitive sports

You’ll receive step-by-step guidance based on standardized return-to-play / return-to-learn protocols to avoid re-injury and prevent symptom flare-ups.

8. Education and Symptom Management Strategies

Your physiotherapist will help you understand:

  • what symptoms are normal

  • how to handle flare-ups

  • pacing and energy management

  • sleep and hydration habits

  • how to avoid triggers without avoiding life

Clear education reduces anxiety and supports a smoother, more confident recovery.