After sustaining a concussion, you may wonder what to do and who to see. Depending on the mechanism of injury (basically how you got the concussion), it may be beneficial to get checked out at an Urgent Care or Emergency Department (ED) to rule out serious complications. This would be recommended for injuries sustained in a high-speed car accident, significant fall, or severe impact to the head or neck. For other less intense mechanisms of injury, it may be sufficient to go see your primary care physician (PCP).

Once other injuries have been ruled out and you are diagnosed with a concussion, the next step is very important! You should seek treatment from a clinician skilled in concussion therapy – quickly!

There are several recent research studies that have found the time between injury and the first follow up with a clinician skilled in concussion care can affect recovery time.

One study found that delaying an initial post-injury evaluation was the most predictive indicator of a prolonged recovery. Another study found that the longer the time from injury to assessment resulted in proportionately more mental health symptoms such as depression and tearfulness, as well as greater treatment lengths until discharge. Finally, a third study found that concussed athletes who were first seen 8-20 days after injury had a 6x greater likelihood of having a prolonged recovery compared to athletes seen 0-7 days after injury.

So, what does this mean for you?

  1. After getting cleared from the ED or your PCP, it is extremely important to be evaluated by a skilled concussion clinician within 7 days of injury.
  2. Being seen early allows the clinician to provide you proper education on recommendations to improve recovery time. Education will include activity modifications, pacing strategies, safe levels of exercise, work and/or school accommodations, sleep hygiene tips, and stress/anxiety management.
  3. Seek a clinician skilled in concussion therapy – improper or outdated advice and treatment can delay recovery time.

If you or a loved one need help to recover from a concussion, ask your physician for a referral to our Total Concussion Care program.

You may also enjoy reading:
Is It Safe to Sleep After a Concussion?

References:

  1. Pulaski, Sarah, “Neurocognitive Patterns, Symptom Clusters, and Premorbid Factors that Predict Protracted Recovery from Concussion in Females” (2015). PCOM Psychology Dissertations. 344.
    https://digitalcommons.pcom.edu/psychology_dissertations/344/
  2. Forrest RHJ, Henry JD, McGarry PJ, Marshall RN. Mild traumatic brain injury in New Zealand: factors influencing post-concussion symptom recovery time in a specialised concussion service. J Prim Health Care. 2018 Jun;10(2):159-166. doi: 10.1071/HC17071. PMID: 30068471.
    https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30068471/
  3. Kontos AP, Jorgensen-Wagers K, Trbovich AM, et al. Association of Time Since Injury to the First Clinic Visit With Recovery Following Concussion. JAMA Neurol. 2020;77(4):435–440. doi:10.1001/jamaneurol.2019.4552
    https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamaneurology/article-abstract/2757869

Share This Post:

Facebook
Twitter
LinkedIn
RehaBlog

More Posts

Occupational Therapy Interventions for Spinal Cord Injury: Innovative Upper Extremity Weight-Bearing Recovery

When you think of body weight support systems in physical rehab, walking probably comes to mind first. But did you know this technology can also transform arm, shoulder, and core recovery after a spinal cord injury? This high-intensity training helps build upper body strength, manage spasticity, improve posture, and boost overall endurance! Learn how we use advanced body weight support technology at Sheltering Arms Institute to help patients safely practice arm weight-bearing and how innovative technology is changing SCI therapy.

How Speech Therapy Can Help Your Cognition

After a stroke or brain injury, everyday thinking skills like memory, attention, and planning can feel overwhelming. Because these skills directly support how we communicate, SLPs use targeted strategies to help patients regain confidence and daily independence. Learn how cognitive-communication therapy can help.

5 Types of Adaptive Equipment for Individuals with Limb Loss

Navigating your home environment and daily life following limb loss can feel challenging at first. Fortunately, there is a robust market of adaptive equipment and assistive technology designed to make life safer, more accessible, and more efficient. Here are five key categories of adaptive equipment that can be highly beneficial following an amputation.

How to Prepare for Knee Replacement Surgery: 5 Ways to Support a Smoother Recovery

Preparing for a knee replacement involves more than scheduling surgery. The steps you take beforehand can make a real difference in how you move, feel, and recover afterward. Building strength, improving mobility, and knowing what to expect can help you go into surgery feeling more confident and better prepared. This approach is called prehabilitation, or prehab. Here are five ways to set yourself up for a smoother recovery after knee replacement.

How to Safely Exercise in the Summer Heat: 4 Essential Tips

Exercise is an important part of maintaining a healthy lifestyle, but during hot summers it can pose a health risk. If you are someone who prefers to exercise outdoors, it is important to follow precautions and know your risk. As we exercise, our muscles work and our core body temperature rises. Our circulatory system is responsible for transporting heat to the skin surface, which causes us to sweat. When it is hot and humid outside, our bodies cannot evaporate sweat as easily, trapping more heat in the body.

Start your Journey

Learn more about Sheltering Arms Institute

Contact a specialist at Sheltering Arms Institute to learn more about how you can gain more freedom in your everyday life.