Your path to recovery after concussion

Many of your regular day-to-day activities may aggravate your concussion and increase your symptoms. Resuming such activities should be a slow process. Your physician will develop a graduated return-to-use plan based specifically on the severity of your case.

Daily activities you may need to avoid:

• Watching TV
• Reading
• Using a computer
• Interacting with a smartphone

Because concussions can inhibit learning, medical clearance is required before a student can return to school. It is reasonable to miss up to about two days of school after a concussion, but extended absence is uncommon. Some students with severe cases may receive graduated return-to-school plans, which would include communication between parents, teachers and health professionals.

Return-to-school plans may include:

• Extra time to complete assignments and tests
• A quiet room to complete assignments and tests
• Avoidance of noisy areas, including cafeterias, assembly halls, sporting events and music and shop classes
• Frequent breaks during class, assignments and tests
• No more than one exam per day
• Shorter assignments
• The use of a peer helper or tutor
• Later start times or half days

Your concussion may impact your cognitive ability to work. Depending on your job, medical clearance may be required before you can return. It is not unusual to miss up to about two days of work after a concussion, but extended absence is uncommon. If your concussion is severe, a graduated return-to-work plan may be needed.

Return-to-work plans may include:

• A shortened work day
• Working from home
• A quiet work environment with avoidance of noisy areas
• Frequent short breaks
• Later start times

Resuming play and/or exercise is the longest, most regulated process out of all the recovery steps. Your physician may implement a return-to-play/exercise plan that will require at least 24 hours between stages. If symptoms return during the program, you will be required to rest until they resolve again. Afterward, you can resume the program at the previous asymptomatic stage.

STAGE 1: No activity

Exercise: Complete rest

Objective: Recovery

STAGE 2: Light aerobics

Exercise: Walking; swimming; stationary bike

Objective: Increase heart rate

STAGE 3: Sport specific

Exercise: Basic drills with no contact

Objective: Addition of movement

STAGE 4: Noncontact

Exercise: Complex drills with no contact

Objective: Coordination; cognitive load

STAGE 5: Full contact

Exercise: Normal training

Objective: Restoration of confidence

STAGE 6 - Return to play/exercise