Concussion Physiotherapy in Darwin
Recover from concussion, manage your symptoms and safely return to everyday activities, exercise and sport.
Concussion can affect much more than your ability to play sport. Symptoms may include headaches, dizziness, balance problems, visual symptoms, fatigue, neck pain and difficulties with concentration or exercise.
Physiotherapy can help assess the physical factors contributing to your symptoms and develop a gradual, individualised plan to help you return to the activities that matter to you.
Understanding Concussion
Concussion is a form of traumatic brain injury that can occur following a direct or indirect force to the head, face, neck or body.
Symptoms can vary considerably between people and may include:
- Headache or pressure in the head
- Dizziness or balance problems
- Nausea
- Sensitivity to light or noise
- Blurred or double vision
- Difficulty concentrating or remembering
- Feeling slowed down, foggy or unusually tired
- Neck pain or stiffness
- Increased symptoms with physical or mental activity
- Changes in sleep or mood
Important: suspected concussion should be assessed appropriately by a qualified healthcare professional. Some symptoms following a head injury require urgent medical assessment rather than physiotherapy.
How Physiotherapy Can Help With Concussion
A targeted approach to help you understand your symptoms and progress your recovery.
Physiotherapy can help identify physical factors contributing to ongoing concussion symptoms and guide your recovery through education, targeted treatment and gradual rehabilitation. Your program will be tailored to your symptoms, activity levels and goals.
Assessment & Education
Understanding your symptoms, movement and contributing factors.
Vestibular & Oculomotor Assessment
Assess dizziness, balance and visual symptoms, including Vestibular/Ocular Motor Screening (VOMS) where appropriate.
Exercise Rehabilitation
Gradually rebuild your exercise tolerance and physical capacity through an individualised, symptom-guided rehabilitation program.
Your Concussion Recovery
A gradual, individualised approach to returning to the activities that matter to you.
Recovery from concussion is different for everyone. Your physiotherapist can help you gradually progress physical and cognitive activity, monitor your symptoms and build your tolerance for everyday activities, exercise, work and sport.
ASSESS
Understand your symptoms, physical impairments and current activity tolerance.
MANAGE
Address symptoms and establish appropriate levels of physical and cognitive activity.
REBUILD
Gradually increase exercise, movement and functional capacity as your symptoms improve.
RETURN
Progress towards your normal activities, work, exercise and, where appropriate, a graded return to sport.
Treatment Options That May Support Your Recovery
Your rehabilitation from concussion may include different approaches depending on your symptoms, needs and goals.
Some people with concussion benefit from combining targeted exercise with other treatment approaches. Your physiotherapist can discuss which options may be appropriate for you.
Exercise Rehabilitation
Graded exercise to progressively rebuild physical capacity and exercise tolerance.
Vestibular Rehabilitation
Targeted exercises where assessment identifies vestibular or balance-related impairments.
Hands-On Treatment
Treatment for associated neck pain, stiffness or musculoskeletal symptoms where appropriate.
Learn More About Concussion
Practical information from The Treatment Room.
Concussion - Recognise the Symptoms
How well do you know concussion? Could you recognise the symptoms of concussion on Saturday morning? Read on to learn more about how to recognise and manage concussion.
Returning to Play post Concussion
If you or someone you know has recently had concussion, how do you manage a safe and effective return to activity?
Ready to Take the Next Step?
You don't have to navigate concussion recovery on your own.
If concussion symptoms are affecting your everyday activities, exercise, work or return to sport, our physiotherapists can assess your symptoms and help develop a practical plan for recovery.
