When can my child return to hockey after a concussion?
Not until they have worked through a gradual return-to-sport process and been medically cleared for contact. There is no fixed number of days. It depends on how their symptoms respond at each step.
The first 48 hours
Canadian guidance from Parachute recommends a short period of rest, 24 to 48 hours, followed by a gradual return to activity under the supervision of a medical professional. Any player with a suspected concussion should stop playing right away.
How the return works
Return to sport follows six steps, starting with daily activities and light aerobic exercise, then sport-specific skills with no risk of head contact, then non-contact drills, full-contact practice and finally games. Each step takes at least a day. If symptoms get worse, the player goes back a step.
Two rules that matter most
- School comes before sport. Return to learning is addressed first.
- Medical clearance is required before returning to full-contact practice or games.
How we help
Our concussion management service includes assessment, guided progression through the steps, and treatment for neck pain, dizziness and headaches that can follow a concussion.
We work with hockey families across Gloucester and Orléans. Call 613-742-1230 or book online.