A concussion is not always easy to detect. What might seem like just a bump on the head or a brief moment of dizziness can have much deeper effects. According to the data from Canada.ca, more than 400,000 Canadians aged 12 and older reported a concussion in 2019, showing how common yet often misunderstood this injury is. A concussion is a mild or moderate traumatic brain injury (TBI) that can disrupt brain function without clear signs.
That’s why early recognition is important for recovery. Physiotherapists in Winnipeg play an important role in identifying subtle symptoms, supporting recovery, and preventing long-term issues. In this blog, we’ll cover the top 10 concussion symptoms physiotherapists watch for, along with how they assess and manage TBI to support safe and effective recovery.
How Common Are Concussions and Why Are They a Concern?
Concussions are among the most frequent traumatic brain injuries that often go underrecognized, even when symptoms remain present. While the introduction highlighted “how many Canadians sustain concussions yearly,” it is equally important to understand who is most at risk and why early detection matters.
Mild traumatic brain injuries are more prevalent in youths, especially those involved in sports or recreational activities. This underscores the need for strict vigilance, as untreated injuries can lead to serious complications and delay the recovery process. That’s why early assessment by Winnipeg physiotherapists is so valuable in ensuring safe rehabilitation.
What Are the Main Causes of Concussions: Common Risk Factors Explained
Concussions occur when a force, like a jolt or blow, causes the brain to shift within the skull, potentially damaging neural pathways. Some of the most common causes include:
- Falls, particularly from stairs.
- Vehicle accidents or pedestrian accidents.
- Physical fights, including assaults.
- Sports injuries are especially common in high-impact or contact sports.
Risk Factors
While anyone can suffer a concussion, certain groups are at higher risk:
- Young children and older adults, particularly those with a higher risk of falling.
- Individuals in physically demanding jobs.
- Teenagers and adolescents, because their developing bodies and brains make them more vulnerable.
- Athletes in contact or collision sports, like hockey, football, and basketball, popular in Winnipeg, are particularly at high risk.
- People with a history of previous concussions.
Top 10 Concussion Symptoms a Physiotherapist Looks Out for
Physiotherapists stay alert to a wide range of signs that often go unnoticed by others. Early detection of these symptoms through physiotherapy for concussion can make a significant difference in guiding safe recovery:
- Headache: Persistent or worsening headaches can signal a concussion, necessitating careful evaluation.
- Dizziness: Many patients describe feeling lightheaded. Physiotherapists in Winnipeg assess vestibular function and postural control to identify underlying issues.
- Nausea or Vomiting: These often accompany other symptoms and can indicate increased intracranial stress.
- Visual Disturbances: Blurred or double vision is among the common mild concussion symptoms that can interfere with daily function.
- Photophobia/Phonophobia: Heightened sensory sensitivity may lead patients to seek dark, quiet environments. These symptoms often accompany headaches and fatigue.
- Cognitive Fog: Brain fog can impact learning and work.
- Amnesia: Forgetfulness, especially surrounding the injury itself, is a classic warning sign. Missing events before or after the injury helps physiotherapists confirm the diagnosis.
- Sleep Disturbances: Exhaustion or changes in sleep patterns can be an early indication of a brain injury.
- Irritability or Mood Changes: Emotional sensitivity is common among younger individuals.
- Exertional Symptoms: Patients may become symptomatic even with light physical activity, indicating autonomic dysregulation post-concussion.
How Physiotherapists Manage a Concussion?
Mild traumatic brain injury management follows a structured and phased approach. This includes:
- Evaluation: A certified therapist must assess the injured individual immediately, using standard emergency protocols, especially related to cervical spinal injury. Mild concussion treatment includes assessment of symptoms, cognition, and balance.
- Use of Standard Assessment Tools (SCAT5): Once the condition stabilizes, tools like SCAT5 or a physical therapy concussion evaluation form are used for a systematic evaluation of concussion-related signs and symptoms. These tools help physiotherapists document symptom severity, track recovery progress, and guide safe return-to-activity decisions.
- Monitoring Concussion Symptoms: A physiotherapist will continue monitoring the patient closely during the first hours after injury to detect delayed concussion symptoms, worsening symptoms, or new neurological issues.
- Neck Strengthening: It is one of the important physiotherapy exercises for concussion management that helps strengthen the neck muscles. This targeted physical activity particularly improves motor control of deep cervical flexors, supporting head stabilization, and may reduce concussion severity. Along with neck strengthening, physiotherapists also guide patients through physiotherapy exercises for concussion that improve balance, coordination, and overall recovery.
Note: Click here to learn more about how physiotherapy Treatment for concussion works.
When Should An Athlete Return to Play After a Concussion?
Return to play decisions must be made individually, guided by an expert’s judgement and ongoing assessment of symptoms through concussion treatment. Athletes suspected of a concussion should not return to play on the same day. Professional physiotherapists in Winnipeg suggest that even if symptoms seem resolved initially, delayed neurophysiological effects like impaired cognition or altered brain activity may surface later. This can put individuals at high risk of re-injury.
The safest approach is to follow a multi-step, symptom-guided RTP protocol, where athletes only advance to the next stage after remaining symptom-free for at least 24 hours. If symptoms reappear, they must return to the previous stage and rest before resuming activity.
Conclusion
Concussions may be referred to as mild brain injuries, but their impact can be severe. From headaches and dizziness to cognitive fog and sleep disturbances, the symptoms can interfere with daily life and impact performance, particularly for athletes. Therefore, early recognition and structured assessment are essential to ensure safe recovery. At Bridgwater Physiotherapy, we stand as your trusted partner in concussion care. At our Physiotherapy Clinic in Winnipeg, our certified therapists help you recognize symptoms early and support you toward a safe return to daily activity or sport. Contact us today!
