Concussion Management Clinics in Canada in Newfoundland and Labrador

Concussion symptoms include headache, dizziness, fogginess, memory problems, sensitivity to light and noise, sleep disturbance, irritability, and emotional changes. Symptoms typically appear within hours of the injury but may be delayed. Any athlete suspected of concussion should be removed from play immediately.

Most sport-related concussions resolve in 1–4 weeks with appropriate management. Youth athletes may take longer. A small percentage develop persistent post-concussion syndrome requiring specialized rehabilitation over months.

Treatment includes relative rest (not complete rest), gradual return-to-activity protocols, vestibular physiotherapy for dizziness and balance issues, cervical spine physiotherapy for neck injuries, vision therapy for visual symptoms, and cognitive rehabilitation for concentration problems.

Start with your family physician or emergency department for initial assessment. Sports medicine doctors and physiotherapists with concussion training can guide your return-to-sport. A multidisciplinary concussion clinic offers the most comprehensive care.

Return to sport follows a structured 6-stage protocol: symptom-free at rest → light aerobic exercise → sport-specific exercise → non-contact drills → full-contact practice → return to competition. Each stage requires 24 hours without symptom recurrence before progressing.

Yes. Physiotherapists with concussion training address cervical spine injuries that contribute to headaches and dizziness, vestibular dysfunction causing balance and dizziness symptoms, and exertional intolerance through graded cardiovascular exercise. Early physiotherapy has been shown to shorten recovery time.