Concussion
Concussion & Post-Concussion Recovery — North Vancouver
Headaches that won't quit, screens that feel too bright, dizziness in busy spaces. A symptom-guided rehab plan that gets you back to school, work, and sport without guessing.
What it is
Understanding your concussion / post-concussion.
Concussion is a mild traumatic brain injury triggered by a direct hit to the head, or by a body impact that whips the head fast enough to move the brain inside the skull. You don't have to lose consciousness for it to count. The trail-running fall on Mount Fromme, the rear-end on the Upper Levels, the hockey hit at the rink — all of them can produce the same cluster of symptoms.
What makes concussion different from a sprained ankle is that the tissue you're rehabbing is also the tissue doing the rehab. The brain has to recover while it processes light, sound, screen glare, conversations, and the physical demands of school, work, or sport. That's why early management and a graded return — rather than a sudden one — matter so much.
Symptoms usually look like some combination of headache, dizziness, balance trouble, nausea, fatigue, difficulty concentrating, sensitivity to light or noise, irritability, or disrupted sleep. They can show up immediately or build over the first 24–72 hours. Most people recover well with the right protocol. A smaller group develops persistent post-concussion symptoms and needs targeted vestibular, oculomotor, and cervical rehab to get back to baseline.
Positional dizziness — including benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV) — often shows up alongside concussion, especially after a fall or motor vehicle crash. BPPV is triggered by changes in head position (rolling over in bed, looking up, lying down) and responds well to specific repositioning manoeuvres like the Epley. We screen for it in the vestibular portion of the assessment so the right manoeuvre is applied rather than waiting weeks of unnecessary balance exercises.
What to expect
In our clinic, most concussions settle through the first few weeks once the early protocol is right. If symptoms are still there past the first month, that's not failure — it's a signal to layer in vestibular, oculomotor, and cervical work. Your physiotherapist will set the next milestone after the first assessment.
Get a plan
Not sure if we're the right fit?
Send us a quick note about what's going on. A physiotherapist — not a receptionist — will read it and reply with what they'd recommend. No commitment to book.
Common questions
About concussion / post-concussion.
How soon after the hit should I come in?+
As soon as a physician has cleared you for any red flags — same day if possible, within the first week if not. Early advice on activity, sleep, and screen exposure changes the recovery curve. If you've come from Lions Gate Hospital or your GP with a concussion diagnosis, bring the paperwork to the first visit.
Do I need to rest in a dark room?+
No. The old 'cocoon therapy' advice has been replaced. A short period of relative rest, then a graded reintroduction of activity kept below the symptom threshold, is the current consensus approach. Your physiotherapist will calibrate what 'below threshold' means for you.
I had the concussion months ago and still feel off. Is it too late?+
No. Persistent post-concussion symptoms respond to vestibular, oculomotor, and cervical rehab even when the original injury is months old. We assess where the residual symptoms are coming from and treat that, rather than waiting for them to fade on their own.
Will you clear me to play again?+
Return-to-sport is a stepwise progression and we guide you through it. The formal medical clearance for contact sports comes from a physician, usually working alongside us. We coordinate so you're not stuck repeating tests.
Is this covered by ICBC if I got it in a crash?+
Yes. Concussion care after a motor vehicle accident is covered under ICBC's Enhanced Care model. Bring your claim number to the first visit and we'll handle the billing.
This page is for general information only and does not constitute medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Individual presentations vary — assessment findings and treatment plans differ from person to person. If you are experiencing severe symptoms, neurological changes (numbness, weakness, bowel or bladder changes), or a significant trauma, contact your physician or emergency services. Physiotherapy at Medstar Sport Physio & Health is provided by physiotherapists registered with the College of Physical Therapists of British Columbia (CPTBC).