Understanding Concussion and How Physiotherapy Can Assist in Your Recovery

We’ve all heard the term “concussion,” but it’s easy to underestimate how significant an impact this injury can have on your life. Concussions are more than just headaches and dizziness — they can disrupt your day-to-day activities, affect your work, and even your ability to enjoy things like sports or recreation.

At Physiocare Physiotherapy & Rehab Centre, we provide concussion treatment in Ottawa every day, helping patients recover safely and effectively. If you or someone you care about is dealing with a concussion, keep reading to learn how physiotherapy can make a real difference in your recovery.

What Exactly is a Concussion?

A concussion happens when something — like a blow to the head, neck, or body — causes your brain to move inside your skull. This rapid movement can interfere with how the brain functions, leading to symptoms like:

• Headaches
• Dizziness or balance problems
• Sensitivity to light or noise
• Difficulty concentrating or remembering things
• Nausea or fatigue

While some individuals recover within a few days, others experience prolonged symptoms, known as post-concussion syndrome. This is where physiotherapy in Ottawa can make a real difference in your recovery.

How Physiotherapy Helps You Recover:-

At its core, physiotherapy is all about getting your body moving in the best possible way to help it heal. When it comes to concussion recovery, we look at the whole picture — your brain, your body, and how they all work together.

1. Managing Dizziness and Balance Issues

One of the most common symptoms after a concussion is dizziness or vertigo, which happens when your vestibular system (the part of your body that controls balance) is disrupted. It’s frustrating, but this is where Vestibular Rehabilitation Therapy (VRT) comes in.

VRT is a type of therapy where we guide you through exercises that help your brain and inner ear “relearn” how to process balance and movement. This can help reduce dizziness and get you feeling steadier on your feet again.

2. Easing Neck Pain and Headaches

If you’ve ever been in a car accident or experienced a whiplash-type injury, you know how stiff and painful your neck can get. After a concussion, the muscles in your neck and upper back may tense up or become tight, which can lead to headaches and discomfort.

In physiotherapy, we use manual therapy to gently work on your neck muscles and joints. This could involve techniques like massage or joint mobilization, which can help relieve tension and improve mobility. Plus, we’ll give you specific exercises to strengthen the muscles in your neck and help prevent future issues.

3. Gradual Return to Exercise

The idea of having to rest after a concussion can be tough if you’re someone who’s used to being active. However, returning to physical exertion too soon can actually make things worse. The good news is that physiotherapists can guide you through a gradual return to activity.

We’ll start with light exercises, like walking or stationary cycling, and monitor your symptoms to make sure you’re not pushing yourself too hard. As you feel stronger and your symptoms improve, we’ll work with you to return to more demanding activities, including sports or higher-intensity exercise.

4. Supporting Cognitive Recovery and Sleep

It’s not just your body that needs time to heal after a concussion. Many people also experience cognitive symptoms, like brain fog or difficulty concentrating. We understand that these can be frustrating, especially if you need to return to work or school.

While we can’t provide specific cognitive therapy, we can help by offering tips on sleep hygiene and daily pacing. Rest is crucial for your brain’s recovery, so we’ll educate you on strategies to improve your sleep and keep your days balanced between activity and rest.

5. Helping You Understand Your Injury

One of the biggest parts of recovery is education. It’s easy to feel overwhelmed or anxious after a concussion, but knowing what’s happening in your body and how to manage symptoms can make a huge difference.

We’ll walk you through what’s normal during recovery, how to avoid things that might make your symptoms worse, and how to manage your daily activities so you’re not overexerting yourself. This includes helping you with things like posture, ergonomics, and even stress management.

Concussion Exercises: Helping You Recover Step by Step

After a concussion, it’s essential to engage in exercises that can aid your recovery, but it’s equally important to do so in a controlled, gradual manner. Your physiotherapist in Ottawa will guide you through exercises that are specifically designed to help with balance, strength, cognitive function, and overall recovery. These exercises can help alleviate symptoms like dizziness, headaches, and neck pain, and assist in your safe return to physical activity.

1. Vestibular Exercises for Dizziness and Balance

The vestibular system, located in your inner ear, controls your sense of balance. After a concussion, this system can become disrupted, leading to dizziness and balance issues. Vestibular exercises are designed to retrain your brain and inner ear to process balance signals properly.

Gaze Stabilization Exercise: Focus on an object in front of you (e.g., a stationary letter or target), and move your head from side to side or up and down while keeping your eyes fixed on the object. Start slowly and gradually increase speed as tolerated.

Head Movements: Slowly turn your head from side to side or up and down, focusing on a fixed point. As your symptoms improve, you can progress to more dynamic movements.

These exercises help reduce dizziness and improve your balance over time.

2. Neck Exercises for Pain Relief and Strengthening

Concussions can cause neck pain or stiffness, which can contribute to headaches and other symptoms. Gentle neck exercises can help ease pain and prevent future issues.

Neck Flexion and Extension: Slowly tilt your head forward (chin to chest) and then gently extend it backward. Hold each position for a few seconds, repeating several times.

Neck Rotation: Turn your head slowly to the left, then the right, to stretch the muscles in the neck.

These exercises can help alleviate neck tension and discomfort while also strengthening the neck muscles to prevent stiffness.

3. Cognitive and Eye Exercises

Many people experience cognitive difficulties after a concussion, such as memory issues and difficulty concentrating. Certain exercises can help stimulate cognitive recovery.

Eye Tracking Exercises: Focus on a target and move your eyes up, down, left, and right, trying to follow the target without moving your head. This can improve your visual processing and coordination.

Memory Games: Engage in simple memory exercises, such as recalling a list of words or completing puzzles, to help stimulate cognitive function.

These exercises help to restore cognitive function and reduce mental fatigue.

 Why Choose Physiotherapy for Concussion Recovery?

It’s easy to think that resting is the only thing you need after a concussion, but research shows that active recovery — guided by a physiotherapist — actually leads to faster and more complete recovery.

We look at all aspects of your recovery: your body’s physical function, your brain’s healing process, and how you’re managing day-to-day life. This holistic approach can make a big difference in how quickly you feel like yourself again.

Final Thoughts

Concussions can be frustrating, but remember, you don’t have to go through recovery alone. Our experienced team at Physiocare Physiotherapy & Rehab Centre is here to help guide you through the process with the right tools and support. Whether it’s improving your balance, relieving neck pain, or helping you return to your normal routine, We’ll be with you every step of the way.

Please don’t hesitate to reach out. If you’ve had a concussion or suspect you might have one, early intervention with physiotherapy can help speed up your recovery and reduce the chances of long-term issues. Let’s work together to get you back on your feet.