Concussion Treatment & Recovery

Specialized concussion and post-concussion syndrome treatment in South Surrey. Evidence-based physiotherapy for a safe return to school, work, and sport.

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Prevalence

One of the most common brain injuries in youth and active adults

Common Age

All ages - most common in youth, athletes, and after car accidents

Recovery Time

Most recover in 2-4 weeks; some symptoms persist for months

Coverage

Covered by ICBC and extended health

Symptoms & Causes

Common Symptoms

Headache or pressure in the head
Dizziness, vertigo, or balance problems
Brain fog, difficulty concentrating, or memory issues
Sensitivity to light and noise
Fatigue and low energy
Nausea, especially with screens or busy environments
Neck pain and stiffness
Blurred or double vision
Irritability, anxiety, or changes in mood
Sleep disturbances - sleeping more or less than usual

Common Causes

Sports injuries and collisions
Motor vehicle accidents, including whiplash without head contact
Falls, at any age
Workplace accidents
Being struck by an object or person
Any force that causes the brain to move rapidly within the skull

How We Treat Concussion

Concussion recovery is one of our clinic’s core specialties. Lingering symptoms rarely come from the brain injury alone - they usually involve the vestibular (balance) system, the visual system, the neck, and the nervous system’s regulation of blood flow and energy. Our assessment looks at all of these. Treatment typically combines vestibular therapy for dizziness and balance problems, hands-on manual therapy for the neck injuries that almost always accompany a concussion, craniosacral therapy to calm the nervous system, and applied neurology to retrain visual and balance reflexes. We serve patients across South Surrey, White Rock, Langley, and Delta.

What to Expect

Your initial 55-minute assessment includes a detailed history of your injury and symptoms, screening of your neck, vestibular and visual systems, and balance testing to identify exactly which systems are driving your symptoms. From there we build a graded plan: hands-on treatment for the neck, specific gaze-stabilization and balance exercises, guidance on managing screens, school, and work, and a progressive return to exercise based on your symptom response. If your concussion is from a car accident, ICBC covers your physiotherapy with direct billing - bring your claim number to your first visit. Recovery timelines vary, but most patients see meaningful improvement within the first several weeks of targeted treatment, even when symptoms have persisted for months.

Learn more: Read our guides on 5 common misconceptions about concussions, understanding vestibular physiotherapy, and the dural layers of the central nervous system.

Our Treatment Services

Vestibular Therapy

Evidence-based treatment for dizziness, vertigo, and balance disorders

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Craniosacral Therapy

Gentle therapy targeting the skull, spine, and sacrum for headaches and chronic pain

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Manual Therapy

Skilled hands-on techniques to restore mobility, reduce pain, and promote healing

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Prevention & Self-Care

Prevention Tips

Wear properly fitted helmets for cycling, skiing, and contact sports
Follow graduated return-to-sport protocols after any head injury
Strengthen neck muscles, especially in young athletes
Address balance or vision problems that increase fall risk
Report symptoms early - playing through a concussion increases risk
Allow full recovery before returning to sport, school, or work

When to See a Physiotherapist

Symptoms lasting more than a few days after a head injury or whiplash
Dizziness, balance problems, or visual disturbance after a concussion
Headaches that persist or worsen over time
Difficulty returning to school, work, screens, or exercise
Symptoms that flare with activity or busy environments
Lingering symptoms weeks or months after the original injury

Frequently Asked Questions

No. A concussion is caused by the brain moving rapidly inside the skull, which can happen from a whiplash-type force without any direct head contact. This is common in car accidents, where neck injury and concussion frequently occur together. If you have concussion symptoms after an accident or fall, an assessment is worthwhile even if you never hit your head.

No - this is one of the most common concussion myths. Current evidence supports 24-48 hours of relative rest, followed by gradual, symptom-guided return to activity. Prolonged complete rest (sometimes called cocooning) can actually delay recovery. We guide you through a structured, progressive plan so you return to activity at the right pace for your brain.

Early assessment is helpful - typically within the first week or two after injury. Physiotherapy is especially important if symptoms last beyond 10-14 days, if you have dizziness or neck pain, or if you are struggling to return to school, work, or sport. For persistent post-concussion symptoms, treatment can help even months or years after the original injury.

Many lingering concussion symptoms come from treatable sources: the vestibular (balance) system, the visual system, the neck, and the autonomic nervous system. We assess each of these and treat what we find - vestibular rehabilitation for dizziness, manual therapy for neck dysfunction, gaze stabilization exercises for visual symptoms, and graded exercise to restore exercise tolerance.

Yes. If your concussion is from a motor vehicle accident, ICBC pre-approves 25 physiotherapy sessions within the first 12 weeks of your accident date, and we bill ICBC directly. Bring your claim number and accident date to your first visit. Extended health plans also typically cover physiotherapy for concussions from other causes.

Post-concussion syndrome refers to symptoms that persist beyond the typical recovery window - usually more than 4 weeks in adults. Symptoms like headaches, dizziness, brain fog, and fatigue are real and treatable. Our assessment identifies which systems are still affected, and targeted treatment helps most people make meaningful progress, even long after the injury.

5 Misconceptions About Concussions

Debunking common myths about concussions including rest requirements, loss of consciousness, head impact necessity, and return to activity guidelines.

Understanding Vestibular Physiotherapy

A comprehensive guide to vestibular physiotherapy: who benefits, assessment techniques, and treatments for dizziness, vertigo, and balance issues.

The Dural Layers of the Central Nervous System

Understanding the dura mater and meninges - often overlooked structures that play a key role in concussion, whiplash, vertigo, and chronic pain conditions.