Concussion Rehab
Concussions cause more than just physical symptoms — they can also affect vision, balance, coordination, and cognitive function. Without proper concussion rehab, symptoms can linger, impacting your ability to get back to your normal, day-to-day routines.
At Wasatch Peak Physical Therapy, we provide safe, structured concussion rehab to help improve recovery time, reduce the risk of long-term complications, and support our patients as they return to school, work, and sports.
If you’ve had a concussion, don’t wait to schedule an appointment with us — early treatment is key to restoring your balance, focus, and confidence and achieving a full recovery.
What Is a Concussion?
A concussion is a mild traumatic brain injury that occurs when a jolt, blow, or sudden acceleration causes the brain to bounce against the inside of the skull, disrupting normal brain function. Concussions come with temporary chemical changes in the brain and can disrupt vision, balance, coordination, and cognitive function.
Concussions commonly occur as the result of sports collisions or falls, car accidents, work-related injuries, and slips and falls at home. Symptoms may appear immediately after the injury, or may be delayed by hours or even days.
Common symptoms include:
- Physical symptoms, such as dizziness, nausea, headaches, trouble balancing, and light or noise sensitivity
- Cognitive symptoms, including memory problems, brain fog, and difficulty concentrating
- Emotional symptoms like mood changes, anxiety, and irritability
- Sleep disturbances, including trouble falling asleep or sleeping more or less than usual
It’s recommended to seek professional help after any concussion, but it’s especially important if your symptoms last longer than 48 to 72 hours, you experience persistent headaches or dizziness, you have difficulty concentrating or reading, you feel unsteady or have trouble balancing, or have a hard time with physical activity or returning to sports.
Our Personalized Concussion Rehab Approach
Concussion rehab is essential for returning to normal activities and preventing long-term issues. At Wasatch Peak Physical Therapy, we work with athletes of all ages, individuals recovering from falls or accidents, workers injured on the job, students needing help returning to school, and anyone experiencing symptoms weeks or months after their injury.
We treat each patient as an individual and tailor our treatment approach to their unique needs. With the help of neurological and cognitive assessments, balance and vestibular testing, vision screening, and a thorough review of symptoms, our physical therapists develop multifaceted concussion rehab plans designed to promote healing and alleviate symptoms.
Balance Training and Vestibular Rehabilitation
We guide patients through exercises designed to reduce motion sensitivity and dizziness, including static and dynamic balance tasks. This functional movement training is essential for improving coordination and restoring confidence.
Vision and Oculomotor Training
For patients experiencing vision difficulties, we employ eye-tracking and gaze stabilization exercises, along with visual-motor integration activities, to retrain their eyes and brain to work together.
Manual Therapy
If necessary, we’ll provide manual therapy to treat neck stiffness or whiplash-related discomfort that sometimes occur after concussions. Soft tissue work like massage can relieve headaches caused by muscle tension.
Ongoing Education and Support
As part of concussion rehabilitation, we provide guidance on rest, hydration, and sleep, along with strategies for returning to school or work and tips for managing daily activities without worsening symptoms. We monitor symptoms as patients progress back into exercise and sports to ensure they’re staying on track to make a full recovery.
Start Your Recovery Today with Wasatch Peak Physical Therapy
If you’ve had a concussion, don’t wait until your symptoms get worse — contact Wasatch Peak Physical Therapy as soon as possible to schedule an appointment with one of our expert physical therapists. We’ll provide the concussion rehab you need to get back out there and enjoy life to the fullest.
Frequently Asked Questions
How Long Does Concussion Recovery Take?
Recovery time varies depending on the concussion’s severity and your symptoms. Some patients fully recover within a few weeks, while others need ongoing rehab for longer. We’ll perform a thorough evaluation to assess your condition and develop a more detailed timeline for recovery.
Do I Need a Referral for Concussion Rehab?
It depends on your insurance. If you’re not sure whether a referral is required, reach out to us, and our team can help verify.
Can I Use Screens During Concussion Recovery?
A gradual reintroduction of screens is recommended. Your physical therapist will create a step-by-step plan for how much screen time is allowed based on your specific recovery needs.
Is it Safe to Exercise After a Concussion?
Yes, it’s safe to exercise after a concussion, but only with professional guidance. Controlled aerobic exercise under the direction of a physical therapist is a key part of recovery.