A concussion is a traumatic brain injury. Most people with a concussion fully recover within a month. However, some people develop persisting symptoms after concussion symptoms (PSaC). People with PSaC may notice the following:

  • Fatigue

  • Sleeping difficulty, either too much or not enough

  • Headaches

  • Vertigo and dizziness

  • Anxiety and/or depression, as well as changes in personality

  • Sensitive to noise to light

  • Word finding difficulty

  • Sense of apathy, frustration or anxiety

  • Nausea and vomiting

  • Increased symptoms and difficulty functioning in busy environments

Several medical professionals are often involved in concussion rehabilitation. A vestibular therapist’s role is focused on re-integrating the vestibular system as well as helping the muscles and joints recover from the trauma of impact. Your treatment team should always include your family physician and may include other health care professionals such as a physical therapist, occupational therapist, counselor, neuro-optometrist, kinesiologist, massage therapist, neurologist, neuro-ophthalmologist, neuropsychologist or otolaryngologist.

If you have suffered a concussion, make sure you book an appointment with your family physician or nurse practitioner as soon as possible - their involvement is crucial in concussion recovery.

For an overview of the recommendations of what to do in the first two weeks after a concussion, read our blog and download Concussion Care.

Want to know more? Check out our blogs on concussions.

What should I expect during my assessment?

Before your assessment begins we will ask you to fill out a few questionnaires to help guide your assessment and treatment. Please complete these forms at home before your appointment or arrive 15-20 minutes early to allow yourself enough time to fill these out.

Several systems are affected by a concussion including the vestibular system, visual system and autonomic system (which controls heart rate). Eye movements will be assessed in both room light and under infrared goggles.

The first appointment typically lasts 60 minutes. After the assessment, some people report a temporary increase in symptoms. For this reason, we recommend someone comes with you to your first appointment.

Once the assessment is completed a customized treatment plan will be designed for you.

If you have questions, feel free to contact us.

Both Stephanie Yip and Devon Konrad are vestibular therapists who treat people with concussions.

Resources

Concussion Awareness Training Tool (CATT) - An free online course focused on cognition recognition and initial management. Different streams for medical professionals, coaches, teachers, women support workers, youth, workplaces, athletes and parents/caregivers.

Parachute Canada - Providing evidence-based information around concussions, from prevention to treatment.

Vancouver Coastal Health - Concussion MyGuide - a customizable guide for adults with concussion, or those wanting to learn about adult concussion.

Vancouver Coastal Health - Teen Concussion MyGuide - a customizable guide for teens with concussion, or those wanting to learn more about teen concussion.

Ladner Village Physiotherapy exists in what is colonially known as Delta, on the traditional, occupied and unceded territory of the hən̓q̓əmin̓əm̓ speaking people. As health care providers, we actively strive to understand the role of intergenerational trauma and health inequities applied through systemic and institutionalized racism with the goal of providing equitable and person-centred health care for all.