Concussion Physiotherapy in Burlington, ON

Have you ever walked into a room, forgotten why you were there, or found yourself slightly foggy days after a concussion? While concussions can cause aches and pains, they’re also known for non-physical symptoms like these. These vague symptoms have led to advice that some find unhelpful, if not frustrating: “stay in a dark room” and “take lots of rest”. Don’t get us wrong, rest is fantastic in the first 24-48 hours of concussion recovery but staying in bed all day can actually prolong your symptoms.

At Plainsview Physiotherapy, we advocate for active recovery. If you’re looking for Concussion Physiotherapy in Burlington, ON, getting back on your feet is the best way to move forward.

So, What Exactly Is Concussion Physiotherapy?

Let’s start by dispelling some common myths about concussions. First off, it’s not just a headache: concussion is an abbreviated term for mild traumatic brain injury. And despite its name, a mild traumatic brain injury is not a “minor injury”. A concussion occurs when the brain sloshes around inside your skull faster than it should, leading to chemical changes and stretching of brain cells.

But what does Concussion Physiotherapy actually treat? A lot more than a headache. We assess your functional deficits caused by the injury, including your eye tracking, balance system, and neck. We’re talking an active, evidence-based approach to getting you back to doing the things you love.

Who Is This For? (It’s Not Just for Athletes)

A common misconception is that you need to be a hockey player or a football player to see a Concussion Physiotherapist. While we love working with athletes who are eager to get back to sport, it’s not our only clientele.

You know that split second when you lose your footing on an icy sidewalk, trying to keep up with the canine beneath you? What about the flash of brake lights that led to a fender bender on the QEW? Or the sudden jolt as you reached up for the fruit over the kitchen cabinet? (Don’t worry, we’ve all been there.).

We treat:

• Athletes dealing with sports-related injuries.
• Motor Vehicle Accident (MVA) patients looking to fix their whiplash and brain fog.
• Seniors who have suffered a fall.
• Workers who have been injured on the job.

In other words, anyone who is dealing with lingering symptoms that are making it hard to work, study, or just enjoy the day is a good candidate for this therapy.

The Power of Active Recovery: Specific Benefits

The active recovery model is gaining traction for a reason. Why sit in a dark room when you can get moving? While patience and the odd nap are useful recovery tools, optimism and physiology go hand in hand here. Your brain loves blood flow. Controlled exercise—done safely, under the supervision of a trained professional—actually helps heal the brain by activating the autonomic nervous system.

Here are the specific benefits of Concussion Physiotherapy:

Faster Return to Normalcy: Staying in bed for long periods does nothing to help your brain heal. In fact, research shows that light, sub-symptom threshold exercise leads to a quicker recovery than strict rest does.

Reduced Anxiety: One of the most frustrating parts of living with concussion symptoms is not knowing what will trigger them. Getting clear on your triggers and then developing a plan to manage them puts you back in control.

Neck Pain Relief: Concussion symptoms and whiplash symptoms have significant overlap. When we treat the neck, headache symptoms often disappear.

Improved Balance and Vision: We help people deal with the dizziness and visual disturbances that make grocery stores or scrolling on your phone feel like an assault course.

Conditions and Symptoms We Manage

If concussions were snowflakes, no two would be exactly alike. But their symptoms tend to group together in patterns, which we can treat effectively. For example, some people have more sensory overload (“I hate being in stores or traffic”) than a “headache”.

Our Concussion Physiotherapy program in Burlington, ON specifically addresses:

• Headaches and Migraines: Pain that often results from neck issues or visual strain.
• Dizziness and Vertigo: Unsteadiness resulting from vestibular system (inner ear) problems.
• Visual Deficits: Blurry vision, difficulty focusing, or trouble reading.
• Foggy Thinking: Problems with concentration or memory.
• Noise and Light Sensitivity: Feeling overwhelmed in stimulating environments.
• Sleep Disturbances: Difficulty falling or staying asleep.

What to Expect: Inside the Assessment and Treatment

Heading to physiotherapy when your head already hurts can feel daunting. But don’t worry, our goal is to find your threshold, not push you past it.

The Buffalo Treadmill Test

Wait, you mean we make you walk up and down a treadmill for your concussion? Well, yes and no. It’s actually a very controlled process of finding the exact heart rate where your symptoms appear. We have you walk on the treadmill while monitoring your heart rate and symptoms. We find your threshold, then prescribe exercise below that heart rate to help you safely heal.

Visual and Vestibular Integration

Scrolling on your phone is making you nauseous? Feeling giddy when you turn your head too quickly? That’s usually a mismatch between your eyes and your inner ear. We use specific exercises to retrain these systems to work together again.

Manual Therapy for the Cervical Spine

The neck and brain are closely connected, and whiplash is an almost-ubiquitous symptom of concussion. Our therapists use gentle manual techniques to release stiff joints and tight muscles in the neck, often with immediate relief from headache.

In short, when you come to our Concussion Physiotherapy clinic, you can expect a calm environment, and a treatment plan customized entirely for you.

Insurance and Billing: The Nitty-Gritty

We know you have questions, and we know the financial piece is the last thing you need to worry about when you’re trying to recover. So, let’s dive into the logistics. The good news? You probably have coverage.

Motor Vehicle Accidents (MVA): If your injury was caused by a car accident (not just your own vehicle), you are entitled to accident benefits in Ontario. That means we can bill your auto insurer directly for Physiotherapy and handle all the paperwork while you focus on getting better.

Private Health Insurance: Most private insurance plans have extended health benefit plans (SunLife, Manulife, Canada Life, etc.) that cover physiotherapy. Check your benefit plan for a heading that says “Physiotherapy.”

WSIB: If you were injured on the job, we work with the Workplace Safety and Insurance Board.

We take the stress out of the billing process, just as we aim to take the pain out of treatment.

Ready to Clear the Fog?

Recovery is not a straight line, and it’s important to know that good days and bad days are normal. But you don’t have to go it alone. Whether you’re an athlete eager to get back to sport or a parent who just wants the dizziness to subside so you can chase your kids around the yard, active recovery is the way forward.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does it usually take to recover from a concussion?

It varies wildly, but the number one rule is to stay optimistic. Most people recover within 2 to 4 weeks with appropriate care. The thing is, if you suffer a concussion and symptoms last more than 4 weeks (or return after initially improving), you’re in the territory of Post-Concussion Syndrome, and therapy is even more important in breaking that cycle.

Can I take medication for my symptoms before I come in to see a Concussion Physiotherapist?

You can, but we recommend discussing it with your doctor. Painkillers may mask your headache, but they don’t treat the underlying problem. We want to treat the source so you don’t have to rely on those meds in the long run.

Do I need a doctor’s referral to book an appointment with you?

No, you do not. In Ontario, we have direct access to physiotherapy, so you generally do not require a referral from your doctor to see us. Some private insurance plans may require a referral for reimbursement. Check with your provider if you’re unsure.

Is it safe to exercise with a concussion?

Yes, but only under one important condition: it must be guided exercise. The old “cocoon therapy” (resting in a dark room) is out. We use the results of the Buffalo Treadmill Test to give you a safe exercise heart rate zone. This helps wash metabolic waste out of the brain and improve cerebral blood flow.

Why does my neck hurt if I hit my head?

Great question. The force required to cause a concussion is significantly higher than the force required to cause whiplash. Therefore, if you hit your head hard enough to get a concussion, you almost certainly also sustained a whiplash injury to your neck at the same time. Neck treatment is often the “secret sauce” to clearing up the head.

What makes your Concussion Physiotherapy clinic different from others?

Cookie-cutter plans, solved in 30 minutes, with a prescription to “stay off your feet” are not how we work. We understand that because concussion is an invisible injury, it can feel very isolating. We combine high-tech testing (such as exertion testing) and manual therapy with a good dose of reassurance. We treat the person, not just the brain scan.