Concussion Rehab Clinic

Concussion Physiotherapy

Concussion Management in Adelaide

Concussion Physiotherapy in Adelaide

Concussion is a type of mild traumatic brain injury that can affect the neck, the vestibular (inner ear) system, the autonomic nervous system and psychological function, often all at once. It can be a difficult injury to diagnose, because there is usually nothing to see on a scan even though the symptoms are very real.

At Advanced Neuro Rehab, concussion management has been part of our practice since 2006. Our neurological physiotherapists are trained in vestibular rehabilitation and in the assessment and treatment of concussion across every stage of recovery, from the first few days through to persistent symptoms months later.

All of our assessment and management is based on the latest International Consensus Guidelines of Concussion Management, including the SCOAT6.

Who we help

We manage concussion for a wide range of people, including:

Athletes and weekend sportspeople, from junior level through to elite
People who have had a head knock at work
Everyday knocks and falls, at home or in a car accident

Wherever your concussion happened, the assessment and treatment approach is similar, guided by current best-practice concussion guidelines.

Our approach to concussion management

Early intervention

In the first one to two weeks, we provide education and guidance on rest, gradual return to activity, and what to expect. Recent guidelines recommend that everyone with a suspected concussion be assessed by a physiotherapist experienced in concussion within this window.

Comprehensive assessment

If symptoms have not started settling within one to two weeks, we conduct a multidimensional assessment covering the neck, balance and coordination, the vestibular system, eye movements, exercise tolerance and specific screening questions. This tells us exactly which systems are driving your symptoms, so treatment is targeted rather than generic.

Hands-on and exercise-based treatment

Depending on what the assessment finds, this might include neck treatment and exercises, vestibular rehabilitation, balance retraining, and graded exercise programs.

Planning your return

We help build a graded plan to get you back to what matters, whether that is returning to work or returning to sport, and we liaise directly with your GP, employer, school or coach so everyone is working from the same plan.

If symptoms persist

Most people recover within four weeks. If yours do not, this is known as post-concussion syndrome, and it needs a more comprehensive, multidisciplinary approach.

What to expect from concussion physiotherapy

Concussion affects the neck, the inner ear, eye movements, balance and exercise tolerance, so effective treatment needs a physiotherapist trained specifically in these areas rather than general musculoskeletal physiotherapy. Your first appointment will usually involve:

A detailed history of how the injury happened and how your symptoms have progressed
Assessment of your neck, including movement, strength and pain
Vestibular and eye movement testing
Balance and coordination assessment
Exercise tolerance testing, where appropriate
Screening for other contributing factors, such as sleep, mood or headache patterns

From there, we build a treatment plan specific to what we find. This could include hands-on neck treatment, vestibular rehabilitation exercises, balance retraining, or a graded return-to-activity program. We monitor your symptoms closely as you progress, adjusting the plan as you improve.

Who else we work with

We work closely with other health professionals and we can refer you to Neuropsychologists for specific cognitive assessment, Optometrists and Orthoptists for assessment of vision and eye movements, Psychologists for anxiety, depression and mood changes, GPs for sleep and headache concerns and Neurologists or Neurosurgeons for comprehensive reviews if needed.

Our experience allows us to focus on a recovery pathway and provide support and advocacy to work with your family, GP, coaches, sports physiotherapists, teachers and employers to ensure an optimal rehabilitation plan.

Baseline concussion testing

Comprehensive Baseline Concussion Test

Comprehensive Baseline Concussion Tests provide useful information for identified athletes at sporting clubs and schools, for sports and activities where there is a risk of concussion. They aim to assist multidimensional assessment and follow-up care by providing more specific individualised information should a concussion event occur.

Quick Baseline Screenings

Quick Baseline Screenings are now also possible through the assistance of modern technology. NeuroFlex® is a virtual reality technology that provides quick, objective data about vestibular and ocular function, which is often affected following concussion. This informs diagnosis and monitoring of recovery and helps guide our subsequent assessments and follow-up care. Quick Baseline Screens enable useful data to be collected in larger groups such as schools, clubs and businesses.

The information from Quick Baseline Screens relates directly to our multidimensional assessments following a concussion or head knock event, as well as to any previous Comprehensive Baseline Concussion Tests. We therefore have access to detailed individualised data over time to help with diagnosis, monitoring recovery and guiding rehabilitation. The team at Advanced Neuro Rehab can help interpret this information for you and use it to guide your treatment with us. We can also provide it to any other relevant health professionals involved in your care, such as GPs, team doctors or physiotherapists, and school nurses.

Education and research

We provide training and support for physiotherapists, medical practitioners, exercise physiologists and sports trainers, and education to schools, clubs, parents and health services about the latest in concussion management and rehabilitation. We have been involved in post-graduate education for both university and professional development courses for over 17 years.

Our staff are engaged in clinical research into concussion, brain injury and other neurological and vestibular disorders. Seven staff at Advanced Neuro Rehab have completed or are completing a post-graduate master’s degree in Neurological Physiotherapy, which involves clinical research.

Why choose Advanced Neuro Rehab

We are a family-owned Adelaide practice with clinics in Royston Park, Goodwood, Christies Beach and Allenby Gardens. We have 14 physiotherapists, all with training in vestibular rehabilitation and all trained in our specific concussion assessment protocol, and we work closely with the South Australian Cricket Association, the Adelaide Crows, Port Adelaide and SANFL clubs to manage concussion in elite athletes. The same evidence-based care is available to every patient who walks through our door.

Concussion services

Each part of concussion care has its own page explaining what it involves and how we can help.

More about concussion physiotherapy in Adelaide

Related conditions

Frequently asked questions

How long does concussion recovery usually take?

Most people recover within two to four weeks with appropriate management, though this varies from person to person. If symptoms have not started improving within this window, a more detailed assessment is worthwhile.

When should I see a physiotherapist after a concussion?

Ideally within the first one to two weeks, or sooner if you would like guidance on rest, activity levels and what to expect. Early assessment helps identify anything that might slow your recovery.

Do I need a referral to book an appointment?

No referral is needed for a private physiotherapy appointment. A referral may be required if you are claiming through Medicare, DVA or workers compensation. We can help clarify what applies to you.

Can concussion be managed through telehealth?

Some elements, such as education, monitoring and return-to-work or return-to-sport planning, can be done via telehealth. Initial assessment is usually best done in person so we can complete hands-on and physical testing.

Do you provide concussion physiotherapy in Adelaide?

Yes. All four of our clinics, Royston Park, Goodwood, Christies Beach and Allenby Gardens, offer concussion physiotherapy, so choose whichever is most convenient for you. Contact us to book an assessment.