Concussion

Had a Knock to the Head? Here Is Exactly What to Do Next

A concussion is a brain injury caused by a knock to the head, neck or body that makes the brain move inside the skull. It does not take a big hit, and it does not only happen to athletes. PhysioXtra provides concussion assessment and recovery support with same day appointments across 6 locations in Adelaide and Victor Harbor, with the same standard of care trusted by elite sporting teams since 1996.

If you or your child has copped a knock and something feels off, this page tells you exactly what to look for, what to do in the first 48 hours, and how we help you get back to sport, school and work safely (so you are not guessing your way through recovery).

First, the part most people get wrong

You do not need to be knocked out to be concussed. You do not even need to be hit in the head. A tackle to the body, a fall from a ladder, a car accident, any force that whips through to the head can cause a concussion.

And here is the hard part. The signs can be subtle. Plenty of people just say they do not feel right. If that is you or your child after a knock, take it seriously. The free Concussion Recognition Tool 6 (CRT6) is a great starting point for spotting a suspected concussion.

The warning signs you should never ignore

Go straight to a doctor or emergency department if you notice any of these after a knock:

• Neck pain, or weakness, tingling or burning in the arms or legs
• Increasing confusion, agitation or irritability
• Repeated vomiting, a seizure or convulsion
• Loss of consciousness or a deteriorating conscious state
• A severe or worsening headache, or double vision
• Behaviour that is just not them

More common symptoms include headache, pressure in the head, dizziness, blurred vision, balance problems, nausea, sensitivity to light or noise, feeling slowed down or in a fog, trouble concentrating or remembering, fatigue, irritability, feeling more emotional than usual and trouble falling asleep.

Your first 48 hours: a simple plan

All concussions should be checked by a doctor, but most settle with the right early management. The recipe is simple. A short period of relative rest for 24 to 48 hours, then a gradual return to activity. Here is what to do:

• Step 1: See your GP for diagnosis and symptom management
• Step 2: Rest, and keep a normal sleep schedule
• Step 3: Limit screens and electronic devices
• Step 4: After 24 to 48 hours, start light exercise for around 20 minutes, guided by your physiotherapist
• Step 5: No alcohol, anti inflammatories, sleeping pills or recreational drugs for 48 hours

Playing sport? Any athlete with a suspected concussion must be removed from play immediately and must not return to any activity with a risk of head contact, fall or collision until medically assessed. Even if they feel fine ten minutes later.

Three more rules that matter. Do not leave a concussed person alone for at least the first three hours. Do not send them home without a responsible adult. And no driving until a health professional gives the all clear. If symptoms get worse, get medical help immediately.

How PhysioXtra helps you recover faster (and safer)

A doctor diagnoses the concussion. Your physiotherapist gets you back to your life. At your appointment, our experienced physios will work out exactly where your symptoms are coming from, whether that is your neck, your balance (vestibular) system or your visual (oculomotor) system, then treat what we find (so your recovery targets the real cause, not just the symptoms).

Your concussion care at PhysioXtra can include:

• Hands on treatment for neck pain, stiffness, headaches and dizziness
• Clear education and advice, so you know exactly what to do and what to avoid
• A personalised exercise program to speed recovery and settle symptoms
• A graded plan to return to work or school without flaring up
• Progress monitoring at every step, so nothing gets missed
• Baseline screening for athletes, so future knocks can be managed even better
• A structured return to sport plan that gets you back on the field safely

We treat recovery as a whole of life process, covering all five domains that concussion affects: physical, cognitive, emotional, fatigue and sleep. And with same day 30 minute appointments at all 6 of our clinics, you will not be stuck waiting weeks while symptoms drag on.

Getting back to sport

Return to sport is a graded process, and it is one our team knows inside out from decades working with elite and community sporting clubs across South Australia. After 24 to 48 hours of rest, light activity can begin as long as it does not cause a significant and sustained spike in symptoms. From there, we progress you step by step.

One rule every parent should know. Under the Graded Return to Sport Framework, players aged 18 and under must be symptom free for 14 full days before they can be medically cleared for contact or high risk activity. The clock starts the day symptoms stop, not the day of the knock. It exists to protect the most vulnerable brains on the field, and we follow it without exception.

Getting back to work or school

Recovery is not just about sport. A graded return to learn or work should run alongside your return to activity, starting with whatever does not stir up symptoms. Our physios can prepare a Return to Learn or Return to Work Plan that tells your school or workplace exactly what you need while you recover (so you are not left explaining a brain injury on your own).

Why Adelaide locals trust PhysioXtra with concussion

Since 1996, PhysioXtra has helped thousands of Adelaide athletes and locals recover from injury, using the same approach and technology trusted by elite sporting teams. With 6 convenient locations across Adelaide and Victor Harbor, same day 30 minute appointments, and Medicare, private health and NDIS rebates available, expert concussion care is never far away.

Helpful concussion resources

• Concussion Recognition Tool 6 (CRT6): bjsm.bmj.com/content/57/11/692
• Concussion hotline: concussionhotline.com.au
• HeadCheck app for sideline checks: headcheck.com.au
• Australian Sports Commission resources for parents and teachers: ausport.gov.au/concussion/parents_and_teachers
• Australian Concussion Guidelines: concussioninsport.gov.au

Sport specific policies are available from the AFL, NRL, World Rugby and Football Australia.