Concussion: Physical Therapy Treatment After Mild Traumatic Brain Injury

A concussion is a mild traumatic brain injury caused by a sudden blow or jolt to the head. Any excessive force to the head is considered a "concussive event," even when a concussion hasn't been diagnosed. These concussive events can happen during sport or recreation, as a result of a fall or accident, or from an act of violence. Many people recover from these concussive events with rest and gradually get back to normal activities; for others, though, symptoms persist. The good news is that these symptoms may respond well to physical therapy. To ensure the best possible outcome, getting a thorough evaluation after a concussive event is very important. A clinical practice guideline on the evaluation and treatment of concussion, published in the April 2020 issue of JOSPT, emphasizes this point. J Orthop Sports Phys Ther 2020;50(4):178. doi:10.2519/jospt.2020.0503.