INTRO
Navigating Your Concussion Recovery Journey
Navigating Your Concussion Recovery Journey
The 6 R’s of Concussion
Recognize
It's important to be aware of the various signs of a concussion. Remember, most concussions do not result in a loss of consciousness. Be on the lookout for the following:
Falling to the ground without protecting themselves
Dazed, blank/vacant stare
Tonic posturing
Motor incoordination
Confusion or disorientation
Memory Impairment
Remove
You MUST remove any player with a suspected concussion from play immediately and they should NOT return to play. Following removal, an incident report should be created in ConneQt to document important information that can be used by the clinician when performing a diagnostic evaluation. If a player displays any red flags, they should be evaluated by a clinician IMMEDIATELY. Red flags are:
Neck pain or tenderness
Double Vision
Weakness or tingling/burning in arms or legs
Severe or increasing headache
Seizure or convulsion
Loss of consciousness
Deteriorating conscious state
Vomiting
Increasingly restless, agitated or combative
Refer
Once the player has been removed from the field of play, they should undergo a thorough clinical assessment by a medical doctor. Players or Guardians can book a telehealth consultation via the ConneQt application.
Rest
A player with a concussion should "Rest their body and Rest their brain" for 24-48 hrs before entering the graduated return to sport process
Recover
Follow the steps in the GRTP to ensure a full recovery from the concussion. Ensure a medical clearance is gained before a return to full contact training and play. This includes other sports and activities that have a predictable risk of head impacts.
Return
To return to sport safely following a concussion or suspected concussion, a player must:
Be sign and symptom-free
Be medically cleared by a doctor
Tips for Concussion Recovery
No two concussions are the same, but there are things that we can do to help with the recovery process.
Reduce screen time
Sustained work or play on brightly lit screens can strain your eyes and this might worsen your concussion. Try to limit the amount of time you spend on your laptop, mobile phone, TV or any other device.
Stay hydrated
As dehydration might raise the risk of concussion, it is suggested to stay hydrated while you're at the recovery stage.
Rest/Sleep
Sleep is crucial to recovery, as it allows for the replenishment of glucose, which the brain and body use for healing. If you are having trouble sleeping, discuss with your doctor. Create a healthy sleep environment by minimising exposure to electronics and keeping a cool temperature.
Eat a balanced diet
Practising a healthy diet is essential, particularly during your recovery process. Omega-3 fatty acids help in the recovery of neurons so healthy foods such as fatty fish, walnuts, flax seeds, soy, and chia seeds are recommended.
Consult a Clinician
Our trained telehealth specialist will help you with additional recovery tips. If you're dealing with any consequences of a concussion or sustaining any brain injury, it's better to consult a doctor immediately.
Be patient
It's important to be patient during the recovery period. Rushing back to your normal activities can make things worse, particularly if symptoms come and go. Give your brain and body time to recover.
Return to Learn
Graduated Return to learning
As a concussion is a brain injury, the ability of the someone who has suffered a concussion to think and process information will likely be adversely impacted. The individual may need to miss a few days of school or work after a concussion. When going back to school or work, some individuals may need to make changes to their schedule so that concussion symptoms do not get worse. If a particular activity makes symptoms worse, the individual should stop that activity and rest until symptoms get better.
Step 1 Daily activities (to commence after 24 hours of full rest)
It's important to be aware of the various signs of a concussion. Remember, most concussions do not result in a loss of consciousness. Be on the lookout for the following:
Typical activities that do not bring on symptoms. E.g. reading, screen time
Start with 5 - 15 minutes at a time and gradually build up. Goal = gradually return to typical activities.
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Step 2 School / work activities
Homework, reading, or other cognitive activities outside of the classroom. Goal = Increase tolerance to cognitive work.
Step 3 Return to school/work part-time
A gradual introduction of school/work. May need to start with a partial school/work day or with increased breaks during the day. Goal = Increased academic activities.
Step 4 Return to school / work full time
Gradually progress school/work activities until a full day can be tolerated. Goal = Return to full academic work activities and catch up on missed school work.
If the individual continues to have symptoms with mental activity, some other things that can help with return to school or work may include:
Starting school/work day late, only going for half days, or going to a certain class or doing certain tasks
Taking lots of breaks during the day
Allowing more time to finish tasks, assignments or tests
No more than one exam per day
Working in a quiet room
Avoiding noisy areas at school or the workplace
Use of a student helper tutor
Return to pay
Graduated return to play:
All players diagnosed with a concussion or suspected concussion must go through the Graduated Return to Play process (GRTP). Some sports have slightly different timeframes around the process but the steps are the same.
Step 1. Complete rest
Avoid physical activity, thinking tasks and screens
Timeframe at step 1: 24 - 48 hours
Step 2a. Daily activities that don't cause symptoms
Examples: walking, jogging or stationary cycling
Timeframe at step 2a = 24 - 48 hours
Step 2b. Light Aerobic Exercise
Low to moderate intensity activities. e.g light jogging, swimming, stationary cycling etc
Timeframe at step 2b: 24 - 48 hours
It is recommended to start this at day 5 if non-symptomatic.
Step 3. Sport specific exercise
Examples: Running drills / Activities with no risk of head impact
Guide time frame at step 3: 24 - 48 hours
Step 4. Non contact training
Progression to more complex training drills e.g. passing, catching.
Can add in weight/ resistance training
Guide time frame at step 4: 24 - 48 hours
Medical clearance from doctor
Before the next step which is a full contact training ensure that a doctor has cleared the individual to return to full training
Step 5. Return to full training
May participate in normal training activities if medical clearance has been given
If the sport involves contact the player may participate in this at training.
Guide to time frame at step 5: 24 - 48 hours
Step 6. Return to play
As long as no symptoms return after the full training session, the player is fully rehabilitated.
Continue to monitor if symptoms return, and consult with your doctor and stop participation in sport until given the all clear.
Graduated return to play:
All players diagnosed with a concussion or suspected concussion must go through the Graduated Return to Play process (GRTP). Some sports have slightly different timeframes around the process but the steps are the same.
