When to seek urgent medical care
Call 000 and ask for an ambulance if someone is confused or unconscious after a head injury.
Go to the nearest hospital emergency department or call 000 for an ambulance if the person has neck pain or tenderness, a seizure, double vision, loss of consciousness, weakness or tingling in the arms or legs, is becoming less awake or aware, is vomiting, has a severe or worsening headache, becomes increasingly restless, agitated or combative, or there is a visible change to the shape of the skull.
If you are worried by any symptom or the person is getting worse, seek urgent medical advice. This page is general information and is not a substitute for emergency or medical assessment.
Common concussion symptoms
Concussion can affect people differently. Symptoms may include:
- headache or a feeling of pressure in the head;
- dizziness, nausea, unsteadiness or balance problems;
- visual sensitivity or difficulty tolerating screens;
- feeling foggy, slowed down, forgetful or unable to concentrate;
- fatigue, altered sleep, or sensitivity to light or noise;
- neck pain or stiffness; and
- symptoms that increase with school, work, exercise or sport.
The presence or absence of one symptom cannot confirm or rule out concussion. See a doctor if you think you or someone in your care may have a concussion.
What to do after a suspected concussion
- Stop sport or the activity immediately. Any athlete with suspected concussion should be removed from sport, medically assessed and monitored for deterioration. A person diagnosed with concussion must not return to play on the day of the injury.
- Arrange medical assessment and ensure the person remains with a responsible adult and is monitored as advised.
- Follow the treating clinician’s guidance for returning to school, work, driving, exercise and sport.
- Return to activity gradually. If symptoms worsen, stop and seek advice from the clinician overseeing recovery.
What can affect recovery
Recovery is individual. A clinician may consider how and when the injury occurred, current symptoms, previous concussions, neck symptoms, balance or visual symptoms, sleep, school or work demands, and how symptoms respond to activity.
Some people improve steadily with initial medical guidance. Others experience ongoing symptoms and may need further assessment or a coordinated rehabilitation plan.
When allied-health support may help
Once urgent concerns have been ruled out and clinic-based rehabilitation is appropriate, allied-health support may help with selected ongoing problems such as neck pain, balance or vestibular symptoms, exercise intolerance and a graded return to activity.
The first step is an individual assessment. If findings are outside the practitioner’s scope, or medical concerns emerge, referral for further medical review is required.
What an allied-health assessment may include
Depending on the person’s symptoms, stage of recovery and clinical scope, an assessment may include:
- the injury history, symptom pattern and medical care already received;
- school, work, exercise and sport requirements;
- neck movement and function;
- balance and relevant vestibular or eye-movement screening;
- response to activity; and
- whether further medical or specialist referral is needed.
Any plan should be individualised and coordinated with the medical or sporting requirements that apply to the person.
Frequently asked questions
Do you need to lose consciousness to have a concussion?
No. A person can have a concussion without losing consciousness. If concussion is suspected, stop the activity and arrange medical assessment.
Can allied-health rehabilitation help after concussion?
In selected cases, an appropriately trained practitioner may assist with neck symptoms, balance or vestibular problems, exercise tolerance and a graded return to activity. Suitability depends on assessment, and allied-health care does not replace emergency or medical evaluation.
When can someone return to sport?
Suspected concussion means immediate removal from sport and medical assessment. A person diagnosed with concussion must not return to play on the day of the injury. Later return should follow a staged process and the medical, sporting-body and age-specific requirements that apply to the person. A treating clinician should guide the progression.
When should I contact Premier Sports Medicine?
Contact the clinic when urgent concerns have been addressed and you want to discuss assessment for stable but ongoing symptoms or a graded return to activity. If symptoms are severe, worsening or concerning, seek urgent medical care instead of waiting for a clinic appointment.
Symptoms are stable, but recovery is not progressing as expected?
Explore Premier’s Concussion Assessment and Return-to-Training service in Brunswick to see who the service is for, what an appointment involves and how to book.
