What causes a concussion?

Any force that causes the brain to move rapidly within the skull and bang against the inside of the skull can cause a concussion. In layman’s terms, a concussion can be caused by anything that ‘rattles the brain.’

Typically concussions are thought to be caused by direct blows to the head but indirect forces to the head are also common causes of concussions. For example, a fall onto your buttocks or onto any other part of your body can transmit a force strong enough to your brain to cause a concussion, even if you do not hit your head during the fall. Similarly, a blow to your neck, face or any other area of your body that is severe enough to transmit the force to your head can cause a concussion.
Motor vehicle accidents often similarly cause concussions due to the whiplash motion of your neck which subsequently forces your brain to rapidly hit the inside of your skull.
What are the symptoms of a concussion?

Signs and symptoms of a concussion can vary extremely between people. It is not always obvious that someone has a concussion, so if the mechanism of injury for a concussion was present, a concussion should always be suspected and thoroughly investigated. 

You do not need to lose consciousness to suffer a concussion, and in most cases there is no loss of consciousness. If you do lose consciousness, however, you have most certainly sustained a concussion. Any loss of consciousness should be taken seriously, and any bouts lasting more than approximately a minute are considered severe.

Signs and symptoms of a concussion can vary extremely between individuals and can last days, weeks, months, or even longer in some cases. Fortunately, however, in the majority of cases symptoms usually resolve within 7-10 days.

Concussion symptoms may include:
  • Headache (most common)
  • Confusion
  • Difficulty concentrating and/or completing mental tasks
  • Decreased attention
  • Memory problems
  • Decreased balance and coordiation
  • blurred vision
  • light / sound sensitivity


In severe concussions, a change in personality may even occur. If a patient shows even one sign or symptom listed above this should be indicative of a concussion occurring and a full concussion evaluation should proceed.

Signs and symptoms that are even more severe after an injury to the head, such as recurrent vomiting, a change in pupil size, blood or fluid coming from the ears or nose, seizures, or obvious physical coordination or mental difficulties indicate a severe brain injury and require immediate emergency attention. 

In most cases signs and symptoms appear immediately after the concussion has occurred, however in some cases the signs and symptoms can be delayed by a few hours or possibly even days. For this reason if the mechanism of injury suggests a concussion despite a lack of obvious symptoms being immediately present, the patient needs to be thoroughly examined for latent development of concussion signs or symptoms over a reasonable time frame, and a concussion must be thoroughly ruled out before returning to activity. 
How Can Physical Therapy help a Concussion?

Your Physical Therapist at FYZICAL Butler will be fundamental in guiding your rehabilitation and return to activity plan after a concussion. They will provide you with criteria regarding the levels of physical exercise to work towards, and will also monitor physical exertion signs, such as your heart and breathing rate, in order to appropriately progress your physical exertion levels from light through to heavy. Your symptoms will be documented in order to monitor for any changes with increasing levels of exertion.

Special tests for balance and physical coordination may be used to give your therapist an indication of your physical ability as you recover. Your Physical Therapist will also analyze your individual circumstances and specifically tailor your return to activity to incorporate any special circumstances that may apply to you.  

If you received any concurrent injuries when you sustained your concussion, such as a soft tissue injury to your neck or any other injury, your Physical Therapist at FYZICAL Butler will simultaneously treat this injury. Your therapist will ensure that not only your brain is ready and prepared to return to your regular activity, but that the rest of your body is also ready to begin. Manual therapy, massage, electrical modalities and specific exercises may be used to treat your neck. 
Want to learn more on Concussion Therapy?

FYZICAL Therapy & Balance Centers
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