Back-to-School Season and Concussions: What You Should Know
August means back-to-school season, and for many students, it also means the start of fall sports. As athletes return to practices and games, it's a great time to talk about concussion awareness and recovery.
A concussion is a type of traumatic brain injury caused by a bump, blow, or jolt to the head—or by a hit to the body that causes the head to move rapidly back and forth. Concussions are one of the most common sports-related injuries and can lead to both short- and long-term symptoms if not properly managed.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the sports with the highest rates of concussion include:
Boys' tackle football
Girls' soccer
Boys' lacrosse
Boys' ice hockey
Boys' wrestling
Girls' lacrosse
Girls' field hockey
Girls' basketball
Boys' soccer
Girls' softball
Recognizing the Signs of a Concussion
Concussion symptoms can vary from person to person and may appear immediately or develop over the next several hours. Common signs and symptoms include:
Headache or neck pain
Dizziness
Balance problems
Confusion
Difficulty concentrating
Nausea or vomiting
Memory problems
Sensitivity to light or noise
Sleep disturbances
Most people begin to recover within 7 to 10 days. However, for some individuals, symptoms persist beyond the expected recovery period and interfere with school, work, sports, or everyday activities.
How Physical Therapy Can Help
When concussion symptoms continue, physical therapy can play an important role in recovery. A physical therapist will perform a comprehensive evaluation to determine which systems may be contributing to ongoing symptoms.
Your evaluation may include assessment of:
Neck function: Range of motion, strength, joint mobility, and tenderness of the neck and upper back.
Vestibular and visual function: Balance, dizziness, eye movement, gaze stability, and sensitivity to motion.
Exercise tolerance: Heart rate and blood pressure responses to activity and changes in position.
Movement and coordination: Walking, balance, coordination, and functional movement patterns.
Based on your individual findings, treatment may include:
Manual therapy, stretching, and exercises to improve neck mobility and reduce headaches or dizziness.
Balance training and vestibular rehabilitation to address dizziness, vertigo, and motion sensitivity.
Eye movement and visual-motor exercises to improve focus and coordination.
Gradually progressing cardiovascular exercise to safely improve activity tolerance.
Guidance for a stepwise return to school, work, and sports while minimizing the risk of symptom recurrence or reinjury.
Concussions Aren't Just Sports Injuries
While back-to-school season often brings sports-related concussions to mind, concussions can happen to anyone. Falls, motor vehicle accidents, bicycle accidents, and playground injuries are also common causes.
No matter how the injury occurred, a thorough evaluation and individualized treatment plan can help address lingering symptoms and support a safe return to daily activities.
When to Seek Help
If you or someone you know is experiencing ongoing symptoms after a concussion, don't ignore them. Early evaluation and targeted rehabilitation can make a meaningful difference in recovery.
Our physical therapists are trained to assess concussion-related symptoms and develop individualized treatment plans to help patients safely return to school, work, sports, and the activities they enjoy. Contact our clinic to learn how we can help you get back to feeling your best.
