A concussion can happen in any sport, and an athlete does not need to be knocked out for it to occur.
A sport related concussion is a type of traumatic brain injury caused by a force to the head, neck, or body that transmits an impulsive force to the brain. It can happen from a direct hit, a fall, a collision, a body check, a tackle, or any impact that disrupts normal brain function.
If a concussion is suspected, the athlete should be removed from sport and assessed by an appropriate healthcare professional.
What Is a Concussion
A concussion is a temporary change in how the brain functions after an injury.
Following the impact, changes occur inside the brain that affect how brain cells communicate, use energy, and regulate normal functions. A concussion can influence how a person feels, thinks, sleeps, moves, and responds to their environment.
You cannot always see it. There may be no visible injury, and CT or MRI scans can appear normal. These scans help rule out more serious injuries, but a normal scan does not mean a concussion did not happen.
Concussion is primarily a clinical diagnosis, based on history, symptoms, signs, and physical and neurological assessment.
You Do Not Have to Be Knocked Out
Loss of consciousness is not required.
An athlete can remain awake, continue talking, and even keep playing, and still have a concussion. Symptoms may appear immediately or develop over minutes or hours, which is why monitoring and proper assessment are essential.
Common Concussion Symptoms
Concussion symptoms can affect how someone feels, thinks, sleeps, and functions. Common symptoms include:
- Headache
- Dizziness
- Balance Problems
- Nausea
- Sensitivity to Light or Noise
- Feeling Tired or Slowed Down
- Difficulty Concentrating
- Memory Problems
- Sleep Changes
- Feeling More Emotional or Irritable
- Visual Difficulties
Not everyone experiences the same symptoms. Some athletes have only a few, others experience several.
How Long Does a Concussion Last
There is no single timeline.
Many athletes improve within days or a few weeks. Others take longer. The Amsterdam International Consensus Statement reports that unrestricted return to sport typically occurs within about a month, though individual recovery varies.
Recovery should be based on progress, not the number of days.
If symptoms worsen, fail to improve, or continue beyond four weeks, further assessment is recommended. The Amsterdam consensus refers to symptoms lasting more than four weeks as persisting symptoms and recommends a multimodal clinical assessment.
When to Seek Emergency Medical Care
Most concussions recover well, but certain symptoms require immediate medical attention.
Go to the emergency department right away if the athlete develops:
- Worsening or severe headache
- Repeated vomiting
- Increasing confusion or difficulty waking up
- Slurred speech
- Weakness, numbness, or difficulty walking
- Seizure
- Unusual behaviour or significant agitation
- Neck pain with neurological symptoms
- Any symptom that rapidly gets worse
These signs may indicate a more serious injury and should be assessed by emergency medical professionals.
Does a Concussion Mean Complete Rest
Not usually.
Modern concussion care has shifted away from strict rest. Current evidence supports:
First 24 to 48 Hours
Relative rest and normal daily activities as tolerated. Reduce activities that significantly worsen symptoms.
After 24 to 48 Hours
Gradual return to light physical activity such as walking or gentle aerobic exercise, while avoiding activities with a risk of another head injury.
The Amsterdam consensus found strong evidence supporting physical activity and prescribed aerobic exercise as part of concussion management.
Progression should be guided by the athlete's healthcare professional.
Returning to Sport
Returning to sport is a process, not a single decision.
A simplified progression includes:
- Daily activities
- Light aerobic activity
- Sport specific activity, non contact
- Non contact training
- Full training, including contact when appropriate
- Return to competition
An athlete should not return to contact, collision, or high risk activities until medically considered safe.
What If Symptoms Do Not Go Away
Most athletes recover well, but some continue to experience symptoms such as headaches, dizziness, balance issues, sleep difficulties, neck pain, visual strain, or cognitive challenges.
Persistent symptoms may involve:
- The Neck
- Vestibular System
- Vision
- Sleep
- Headaches
- Psychological Factors
- Other Contributing Conditions
The Amsterdam consensus recommends a multimodal assessment for symptoms lasting more than four weeks.
Where Matrix Repatterning, Craniosacral Therapy, and Other Approaches Fit
Concussion management begins with proper medical assessment and guidance from qualified healthcare professionals. These professionals lead diagnosis, medical decision making, and return to sport clearance.
However, many athletes continue to experience physical symptoms after the initial injury, including headaches, neck discomfort, dizziness, visual strain, and tension patterns that can persist even when the brain itself is progressing well.
Approaches such as Matrix Repatterning, Craniosacral Therapy, and Myofascial Release can play a supportive role in addressing these physical contributors. These methods focus on restoring mechanical balance, reducing tissue tension, and improving how the body regulates and responds after injury.
When appropriate, I integrate these approaches as part of a complementary plan to help athletes move toward full recovery. This support works alongside, not instead of, medical concussion management and return to sport decision making.
Why This Matters to Me
I understand this from more than just the clinic. Growing up, I had at least eight to ten concussions of my own, two of which knocked me out completely, all before I was fourteen years old. That was well before today's concussion research existed, at a time when almost nothing was known about how to properly assess or manage a head injury.
I can relate to what an athlete and a family are going through, not just from training, but from having lived it myself.
When the Body Is Ready, But the Athlete Does Not Feel Ready
Physical recovery and psychological readiness are not always the same.
An athlete may be medically progressing but still feel hesitant, fearful, or "not like themselves." They may avoid contact, second guess movements, or worry about reinjury. This does not always mean something is physically wrong.
The Amsterdam consensus recognizes psychological readiness as an important factor in return to sport decisions. Rebuilding confidence can be a meaningful part of the recovery journey.
This support should complement, not replace, appropriate concussion care.
Your Athlete's Recovery Is More Than a Timeline
A concussion deserves proper assessment and appropriate care.
Recovery is not about waiting a set number of days. It is about helping the athlete progress safely and confidently back to the activities that matter to them.
For some athletes, that means addressing physical symptoms. For others, it also means rebuilding trust in their body and confidence in their sport.
If your athlete has been medically cleared but is still struggling with confidence, hesitation, or fear, that may be another part of the recovery journey worth discussing with their healthcare team.
Important Information
This page provides general educational information and is not a substitute for an individual medical assessment, diagnosis, or treatment plan.
If a concussion is suspected, the athlete should be removed from sport and assessed by an appropriate healthcare professional.
Return to sport should be individualized and appropriately supervised.
Matrix Repatterning, Craniosacral Therapy, coaching, hypnosis, or other complementary approaches should not replace medical assessment, concussion management, or rehabilitation.
References & Further Reading
Canadian Resources: Parachute Canada, Concussion Resources · Canadian Guideline on Concussion in Sport
International Consensus: Patricios JS, Schneider KJ, Dvorak J, et al. Consensus statement on concussion in sport: the 6th International Conference on Concussion in Sport, Amsterdam, October 2022. British Journal of Sports Medicine. 2023;57:695 to 711.
Matrix Repatterning: Matrix Repatterning, Concussion and Headaches
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