Concussions are in the spotlight more than ever, largely due to professional sports. But despite the attention, there’s still a lot of confusion and misinformation about brain injuries — especially outside the sports world. The truth is, concussions can affect anyone, at any age, from kids on the playground to adults in car accidents or workplace falls.
Recognizing the signs early and connecting with a concussion-certified provider can make a huge difference in recovery. At Therapeutic Associates, we’re committed to helping people navigate the challenges of concussion recovery with confidence and clarity.
In this blog, we explain what a concussion is, how to recognize the signs and symptoms, why early treatment matters, and how Therapeutic Associates PT provides expert, personalized concussion care.
What is a concussion?
Concussions were once thought of as simple “brain bruises,” but leading experts redefined the injury at the 6th International Conference on Concussion in Sport, held in Amsterdam in October 2022. The updated definition describes concussion as a traumatic brain injury caused by a direct blow to the head, neck, or body that transmits force to the brain. This force triggers a complex series of changes in brain function — including disruptions in metabolism, blood flow, and neurochemical activity. It may also involve subtle nerve (axonal) injury and inflammation, even if nothing appears on imaging scans.
Importantly, a concussion does not always involve a loss of consciousness. Symptoms — physical, cognitive, or emotional — may appear immediately or develop hours, days or even weeks later.
Who is at risk for a concussion?
While sports often dominate the conversation around concussions, they are far from the only cause. Concussions can occur from:
- Motor vehicle accidents (MVAs)
- Falls (especially in older adults)
- Workplace incidents
- Recreational injuries
For example, research shows that 1 in every 61 occupants in tow-away car crashes experiences a concussion, with the highest risk occurring during rollovers (Viano et al., 2015).
Common concussion symptoms and warning signs
Concussions can be difficult to recognize because the symptoms vary and may not appear immediately. Contrary to common belief, loss of consciousness is not required for a concussion diagnosis.
If there is a mechanism of injury (a fall, hit, or jolt) and the person experiences any of the following, it should be taken seriously.
Signs of concussion (observed by others):
- Loss of consciousness
- Memory loss (retrograde or anterograde amnesia)
- Confusion or disorientation
- Poor balance or coordination
- Behavioral changes
- Seizure
- Tonic posturing (stiff or abnormal positioning)
- Ataxia (lack of muscle control)
Symptoms of concussion (reported by the individual):
- Headache or pressure in the head
- Neck pain
- Nausea or vomiting
- Dizziness
- Sensitivity to light or noise
- Blurred or double vision
- Difficulty concentrating or remembering
- Feeling sluggish, foggy, or slowed down
- Fatigue or low energy
When to seek concussion care
Delaying care can lead to a longer and more complicated recovery. Unfortunately, many people dismiss their symptoms, try to “tough it out,” or don’t realize they’ve sustained a concussion until weeks or even months later.
Up to 30–40% of people with concussions may develop prolonged symptoms if they don’t receive proper intervention (de Koning et al., 2016). Seeking care from a concussion-certified provider as soon as possible improves the chances of a smooth recovery.
How Complete Concussion Management® can help
Some Therapeutic Associates clinics have providers certified through Complete Concussion Management Inc. (CCMI), a leading program for both acute and chronic concussion care. This certification helps ensure our team stays up to date with the latest evidence-based protocols.
At participating clinics, patients get access to the CCMI Concussion Tracker App, which allows them to:
- Track daily symptoms
- Monitor triggers
- Report progress to their care team
- Access return-to-school, work, and play guidelines
- Undergo neurocognitive testing (even without a baseline test)
This level of support is often unavailable outside of athletic programs, making it especially valuable for the general public.
Physical therapy for concussion recovery
Physical therapy plays a central role in treating concussion symptoms — especially when neck injuries, balance problems, or vision disturbances are present.
Concussion-related issues often overlap with:
- Cervical spine dysfunction (neck stiffness, headaches)
- Vestibular disturbances (dizziness, imbalance)
- Visual deficits (blurry or double vision)
At Therapeutic Associates, concussion care is often a team effort. Depending on the clinic, a physical therapist and an athletic trainer may work together to assess and treat each patient.
A typical care plan includes:
- Physical Therapy Evaluation – Screening for cervical spine issues (neck-related symptoms), which often overlap with concussion symptoms and need to be addressed for full recovery.
- Concussion-Specific Assessment – Conducted by a concussion-certified provider, including symptom scoring, red flag screening, and patient education on the recovery process.
- Customized Home Exercise Plan – Based on findings from both evaluations.
Follow-up appointments typically include:
- Manual therapy techniques to reduce neck-related symptoms
- Vision and vestibular therapy
- The Buffalo Concussion Treadmill Test (to assess exercise tolerance)
- Targeted therapeutic exercises to address ongoing impairments
This collaborative, individualized approach ensures nothing gets overlooked on your path to recovery.
Don’t wait — get personalized concussion care now.
If you think you might have a concussion — whether it’s been two days, two weeks, or two years — it’s never too late to seek help. The sooner you see a certified concussion provider, the better your outcome is likely to be.
Many Therapeutic Associates’ clinic locations offer concussion care through CCMI-certified providers, and you don’t need a referral to get started.
Ready to Recover from a Concussion? Contact Us Today
Don’t wait. With clinics across Oregon, Washington, Idaho and California, our expert concussion assessments and personalized plans are the optimal choice for your recovery. No referral needed — book now.
References:
- Patricios JS;Schneider KJ;Dvorak J;Ahmed OH;Blauwet C;Cantu RC;Davis GA;Echemendia RJ;Makdissi M;McNamee M;Broglio S;Emery CA;Feddermann-Demont N;Fuller GW;Giza CC;Guskiewicz KM;Hainline B;Iverson GL;Kutcher JS;Leddy JJ;Maddocks D;Manley G;McCrea M;Purcel. Consensus statement on concussion in sport: The 6th International Conference on Concussion in sport-amsterdam, October 2022. British journal of sports medicine. Accessed June 2, 2025. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37316210/.
- Kontos AP, Jorgensen-Wagers K, Trbovich AM, et al. Association of time since injury to the first clinic visit with recovery following concussion. JAMA Neurology. 2020;77(4):435. doi:10.1001/jamaneurol.2019.4552
- van der Horn HJ, Liemburg EJ, Scheenen ME, de Koning ME, Spikman JM, van der Naalt J. Post-concussive complaints after mild traumatic brain injury associated with altered brain networks during working memory performance. Brain Imaging and Behavior. 2015;10(4):1243-1253. doi:10.1007/s11682-015-9489-y
- Viano DC, Parenteau CS. Concussion, diffuse axonal injury, and ais4+ head injury in motor vehicle crashes. Traffic Injury Prevention. 2015;16(8):747-753. doi:10.1080/15389588.2015.1013188
