Concussion Recovery: How Physiotherapy Can Help You Get Back on Track
Have you recently had a concussion and still feel off? Maybe you’re dealing with ongoing headaches, dizziness, or difficulty concentrating – even weeks after the injury. You’re not alone, and there’s good news: Physiotherapy can play a key role in your concussion recovery.
At Motion Health Rehab, we help people across Capalaba and Underwood recover from concussions safely and confidently, using evidence-based rehab tailored to your symptoms and goals.
What Is a Concussion?
A concussion is a mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI) that occurs after a blow to the head or body that causes the brain to move within the skull. It commonly happens in sports, falls, car accidents, or even seemingly minor incidents.
While most concussions resolve within 2–3 weeks, about 30% of people experience prolonged symptoms – also called post-concussion syndrome.
Common Concussion Symptoms
- Headache or pressure in the head
- Dizziness or lightheadedness
- Balance problems or unsteadiness
- Fatigue and poor sleep
- Difficulty concentrating or memory issues (“brain fog”)
- Sensitivity to light and sound
- Nausea
- Irritability or mood changes
These symptoms can impact your ability to work, study, play sport, or simply enjoy life.
“But My Scan Was Normal…”
This is one of the most frustrating parts of concussion. CT and MRI scans are often normal, even when symptoms are severe. That’s because concussion affects how the brain functions, not its physical structure.
You don’t need a visible brain injury to feel unwell – and that doesn’t mean it’s “all in your head.” A proper rehab plan can help your brain recover functionally.
How Physiotherapy Helps With Concussion Recovery
At Motion Health Rehab, our physiotherapists assess and manage the many systems affected by concussion, including:
Vestibular System
Concussions often affect your inner ear and balance centres, causing dizziness, nausea, and motion sensitivity. We provide vestibular rehab to retrain balance, eye movement, and spatial awareness. We have written several other blogs on this topic for you to read and learn!
Neck & Whiplash
The neck is often injured alongside the brain in concussions (especially in car accidents or sports). Whiplash can mimic or worsen concussion symptoms like headaches and dizziness. We use manual therapy, dry needling, and exercises to treat this.
Visual Disturbances
Problems with eye tracking, focusing, or visual overload are common. We prescribe exercises to improve visual-vestibular integration, helping you tolerate screens, reading, and movement again.
Exercise Intolerance
Gentle aerobic exercise is one of the most effective concussion treatments – but timing and intensity are key. We provide graded return-to-exercise programs to help you recover safely without flaring symptoms.
Cognitive & Symptom Management
We also teach pacing, stress management, and return-to-work/school strategies to reduce fatigue and brain fog, and we coordinate with your GP or specialist if needed.
When Should You See a Physiotherapist?
If you’re still experiencing symptoms 10–14 days after a concussion, or if your recovery has plateaued, it’s time to seek help.
Early treatment = faster recovery and reduced risk of long-term symptoms.
Concussion Treatment in Capalaba & Underwood
Whether you’re a student, athlete, tradie or office worker, we’re here to help you recover fully – not just “push through it”.
Let’s get your brain and body working together again.
