Concussion Treatment & Clinics

Concussion Diagnosis

Diagnosing and treating a concussion isn’t always straightforward, so it’s important that you take the best approach to care.

Seeing your GP should always be the first step. They can provide an initial assessment, advice on symptom management and any necessary referrals. Usually, the distinction between mild, moderate and severe traumatic brain injury is determined by the Glasgow Coma Scale and an assessment of your symptoms.

For those wondering how to treat a concussion or how to help concussion symptoms, this is often the best place to start.

The understanding of brain injury continues to advance. Traditional imaging scans such as CT and MRI are often used to rule out more “serious” injuries, but they do not always identify the subtle, microscopic changes associated with concussion.

Specialist clinics could offer a more detailed assessment, potentially delivering a more comprehensive (yet tailored) approach to treatment and recovery.

Concussion Treatment

When it comes to treatment for concussion, it’s all about finding the best fit for you – based on your symptoms, their severity and how long you’ve been experiencing them.

Recovery usually involves more than one form of therapy, with different treatments working together to address the physical, cognitive, visual and balance-related effects of concussion.

Specialised clinics offer multidisciplinary support for concussion, bringing together experts in physiotherapy, neurology and rehabilitation to guide your recovery.

Following a thorough assessment, clinicians can identify which symptoms are having the greatest impact on your daily life and recommend a tailored rehabilitation plan. This may involve a combination of the following:

Concussion Physical Therapy

Physical therapy focuses on treating the physical symptoms that can occur after a concussion, including headaches, exercise intolerance and neck pain. This is particularly important because the forces that cause a concussion often affect the neck as well as the brain, and cervical spine injuries can contribute to ongoing symptoms.

Depending on your needs, treatment may be provided by an orthopaedic physical therapist, who specialises in the musculoskeletal system and often focuses on the neck, or a neurologic physical therapist, who specialises in conditions affecting the brain and nervous system.

Concussion Vestibular Therapy

Vestibular therapy is a type of physical therapy that addresses balance problems, dizziness, vertigo and motion sensitivity. It’s designed to retrain the brain’s ability to process information from the inner ear, eyes and body, reducing symptoms and improving stability.

Assessment may include balance tests such as the Balance Error Scoring System (BESS), which helps clinicians identify impairments and guide treatment.

Concussion Vision Therapy

Vision problems are among the most common symptoms of concussion and may manifest as blurred vision, double vision, light sensitivity, eye strain or difficulty reading or concentrating. These issues are often caused by disruptions to eye movements and visual processing rather than problems with eyesight itself, meaning they can be missed during a routine eye examination.

Specialist assessments may include a range of exacting tests, such as pencil push-ups, Brock string training and rotator pegboard activities.

Concussion Speech Therapy

Some people experience cognitive-communication difficulties because of concussion, including problems finding words, following conversations, organising thoughts or processing information. Others may develop speech and language disorders such as mild aphasia, speech dyspraxia or dysarthria. These difficulties are recognised symptoms of post-concussion syndrome, and speech and language therapy is designed to improve communication to help individuals better navigate interactions.

Concussion Occupational Therapy

More common for persistent or long-term concussion symptoms, occupational therapy helps individuals adapt to the day-to-day challenges following injury. Occupational therapists work with individuals to develop practical strategies, manage energy levels, adjust daily routines and support a gradual return to work or meaningful activities.