Physical Therapy for Concussions

Medical Disclaimer & Clinical Coordination

Important Notice: The information provided on this page is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.

Consult Your Healthcare Team: Concussions are traumatic brain injuries that require personalized clinical management. OSO Physical Therapy strongly encourages all patients to consult with their Primary Care Physician (PCP), Pediatrician, or Certified Athletic Trainer (ATC) immediately following a suspected head injury. Effective concussion recovery is a collaborative effort. We work closely with your existing medical providers and school athletic departments to ensure your "Return to Play" or "Return to Learn" protocols are synchronized and safe.

Emergency Warning: If you or someone you know is experiencing any of the following "red flag" symptoms following a head injury, please seek immediate emergency medical attention at the nearest hospital:

• Loss of consciousness (even briefly).

• Seizures or convulsions.

• Repeated vomiting or nausea.

• Slurred speech or profound confusion.

• One pupil appearing larger than the other.

• Inability to wake up or stay awake.

By using this website, you acknowledge that no therapist-patient relationship is formed until a formal evaluation is completed at OSO Physical Therapy.

Stage 1: Return to Regular Activities (As Tolerated)

This initial phase focuses on relative rest. You should move around and engage in limited daily activities, provided you feel steady and comfortable.

• The Modern Approach: You don’t need total isolation in a dark room or a complete "digital blackout."

• Listen to Your Brain: Stop any activity if it makes symptoms worse. If your headache spikes or dizziness sets in, take a break. In the OSO model, we don't "push through" a concussion.

• The 3/10 Rule: On a scale of 1 to 10, if your discomfort reaches a 3 or higher, it’s a sign you’ve done too much.

During this stage:

• Take short walks and maintain light movement.

• Stay hydrated and eat regular meals.

• Keep caffeine intake steady (if it's part of your normal routine).

• Take short naps if needed, but don’t disrupt your regular sleep schedule.

Stage 2: Light Aerobic Activity

Once symptoms begin to lessen, we gently reintroduce exercise. We look for mild physical activity without aggressive up-and-down or side-to-side motions (no running or jumping yet).

• Movement: Walking or using a stationary bike are ideal. Avoid bouncing or rapid head movements.

• The Weight Room: Stay away from heavy lifting at this stage. It increases intracranial and blood pressure, which can overstress the brain early in the recovery pattern.

• Progression: You can try very light bodyweight movements, but stop if symptoms return. Spend at least two full days at this stage without a flare-up before moving on.

Stage 3: Moderate Activity

Now we increase intensity—moving from walking to a slow jog. This is about taking a calculated step forward.

• Non-Contact Drills: If you are an athlete, we reintroduce sport-specific skills:

  • Soccer: Footwork or ball-handling.

  • Basketball: Shooting drills.

  • Football/Baseball: Throwing and catching.

• Safe Environment: At OSO, we ensure these drills are done away from "high-traffic" areas where an accidental hit could occur.

• Light Lifting: A light weightlifting session is now appropriate, but keep weights low and reps minimal. If you feel worse afterward, scale back and try again the next day. Spend at least one full day here before progressing.

Stage 4: Heavy, Non-Contact Activity

It’s time to return to a full workout—minus the contact. At this point, you can ramp your weightlifting routine back up to normal levels.

• Team Integration: Athletes can rejoin team conditioning and higher-intensity drills.

• The Goal: Focus on staying sharp and symptom-free. If you feel good through a full day of heavy training, you are likely ready for a full practice with no restrictions.

Stage 5: Practice and Full Contact

You are now back in full practice, including contact. However, it isn't game day quite yet. We must ensure you can handle the physical nature of practice and contact in a controlled environment before returning to a competitive atmosphere where re-injury risks are higher.

Stage 6: Return to Competition

Once you’ve completed a day of full-contact practice without symptoms, you are ready to return to competition or full-duty activity.

• The Final Word: Do not rush this. Your brain is at its most vulnerable right after a concussion. Returning too soon can lead to a much longer recovery or more severe symptoms.

Final Thoughts: Trial, Error, and Honesty

This step-by-step plan isn't just about playing it safe; it’s about the healing process. These stages help us monitor how your brain is responding. If you try something and feel worse, that data tells us exactly where we need to adjust.

At OSO Physical Therapy, we believe progress happens when you listen to your brain—taking recovery one careful, expert-led step at a time.