What Are the Stages of Concussion Recovery?

If you or someone you love has been in an accident and is suffering from a concussion, it’s important to know the stages of recovery. At Impact Medical Wesley Chapel, we understand how concerning a concussion can be and are dedicated to helping our patients through each stage of recovery.

Whether you’re just beginning your journey with concussion recovery or are looking for more information on the process, this article will provide an overview of what to expect. Let’s get started.

Recovering From a Concussion: Key Milestones Ahead

Concussions are injuries that can happen to anyone at any time. It can occur due to a fall, sports injury, or car accident. The brain is a delicate organ, and sustaining an injury like a concussion needs proper care and rest for a full recovery.

Concussion recovery has different stages that everyone goes through in their journey toward getting better. They include:

Evaluation

If you have suffered from a concussion, it’s vital to get evaluated as soon as possible. Even if your symptoms appear mild, it’s important to seek medical advice. At our clinic, we offer comprehensive evaluation and treatment for concussions that will help you recover quickly.

An evaluation after a concussion can determine the severity of your injury and identify any potential complications that may arise. Our team of experienced doctors will conduct a thorough neurological examination to assess cognitive function and balance. With this information, we can work with you to create an individualized treatment plan that addresses your unique needs.

We understand how stressful dealing with a concussion can be. Our friendly staff provides quality care and support throughout your recovery journey. Whether you need medication management or physical therapy, we are here to help you every step of the way.

Rest

The next stage of concussion recovery is rest. Recent research has shed even more light on just how crucial this next stage of concussion recovery is.

It’s important to understand that a concussion is a mild traumatic brain injury. This means that while physical symptoms like headaches and dizziness may fade relatively quickly, the brain itself is still healing for quite some time afterward.

During this healing process, rest becomes essential. Doctors often recommend that those who have suffered concussions take complete mental and physical rest for several days to allow the brain time to heal properly.

This means avoiding any activities that could cause stress or overstimulation—including things like exercise, screen time, loud noises, or bright lights.

Begin Therapy

After getting medical clearance from your doctor, it’s time to take the next step and get started on a personalized plan with a licensed physical therapist. By doing so, you can help reduce symptoms such as headaches, dizziness, and loss of balance that may arise in the aftermath of your injury.

During your first physical therapy session after a concussion, your therapist will assess your condition to determine which areas need the most focus. Depending on the severity of your injury and its effects on motor control, balance, and coordination tests may be conducted to determine what exercises are best suited for you.

With this information in hand, you’ll work together with your therapist to create an individualized treatment plan designed to safely improve function while minimizing the risk of re-injury.

Then, once your therapist believes you are ready, they will help you reintroduce light activities gradually, such as walking or stationary biking. Doing this helps improve blood flow to the brain while keeping symptoms under control.

Returning to Normal Activity

Finally, the last stage of concussion recovery involves returning to normal activities slowly while monitoring symptoms closely.

It’s important to note that this stage of recovery should only begin with your doctor’s approval. Your healthcare provider will give you guidance on what activities you can safely engage in, as well as how much exertion you should put into each activity. It may take some time before you’re able to fully participate in all your usual activities without experiencing any symptoms.

While reintroducing normal activities into your daily routine may feel exciting after a period of rest and recuperation, it’s important not to rush things.

Start Your Road to Recovery Now

Remember, it is important to seek treatment and therapy for a concussion from a qualified medical team. At Impact Medical Wesley Chapel, we are experts in the diagnosis and treatment of concussions and our team is ready to help you recover from your concussion so you can get back to your life safely and quickly.

We understand that having a concussion can be stressful and overwhelming, but don’t worry—we are here to help you every step of the way. Contact our team at Impact Medical Wesley Chapel to schedule an appointment today; (813) 953-1002!