Please select an option
Concussion Management
Ready to book? Jump to booking ↓
What is a Concussion?
A concussion can be simply defined as a disruption in neurological functioning following a significant impact to the head or elsewhere on the body. This causes an imbalance in molecules within the brain cells as well as an energy deficit (the energy molecule required for cell function is known as ATP). Large reductions in blood flow to the brain immediately after concussive impact have been shown.
What Causes a Concussion?
A concussion is caused by acceleration or deceleration of the brain, following a significant impact to the head or elsewhere on the body. One common misconception is that someone must be hit in the head to cause a concussion; however, a significant enough hit to the body may cause a whiplash effect and result in enough force to the brain to cause a concussion.
What are Symptoms of a Concussion?
A concussion causes the brain cells to become excited initially, followed by an extreme drop in energy. This may result in any of the following symptoms:
- Loss of consciousness (more than 90% of concussions do not result in loss of consciousness)
- Headache or pressure in the head
- Neck pain or whiplash
- Dizziness or vertigo
- Nausea and/or vomiting
- Blurred or distorted vision
- Balance problems
- Feeling tired, fatigue, slowed down, drowsy or having no energy
- Feeling “foggy” or not thinking clearly
- Not feeling right or feeling off
- More emotional
- Feeling sad, upset or angry
- Nervousness or anxiety
- Sensitivity to light or noise
- Difficulty reading or working at a computer
- Difficulty remembering or concentrating
- Confusion
- Difficulty falling asleep
- Sleeping more or sleeping less
- Irritability
Visual signs of a concussion may include:
- Loss of consciousness
- Lying motionless on the field, ice, or court
- Disorientation or inability to respond to questions
- Blank or vacant stare
- Stumbling or incoordination
- Clutching head
- Slow to get up after a hit to the head or body
If you experience any one of these symptoms following a significant impact to the head or body, then you should have a high suspicion of concussion.
When in doubt, sit them out!
What Do I Do if I Have a Concussion?
Always tell a parent, teacher, coach and/or friend if you, a teammate or even an opposing player may have suffered a concussion. When in doubt, sit them out!
The first 24-48 hours following a concussion are critical due to the potential for a more serious injury that may require immediate medical attention such as a bleed or swelling in the brain. Following the injury, the patient should be monitored for at least 3 hours for any worsening of their condition as this may indicate bleeding or swelling in the brain.
Immediately go to the nearest emergency department if any of the following signs or symptoms are present. These are known as red flags.
- Very drowsy or cannot be woken up
- Vomiting
- Drug or alcohol intoxication at time of injury
- Short-term memory deficits
- Seizure
- Decreasing level of consciousness or awareness
- Fluid or blood coming from the ears, nose, mouth or eyes
- Bruising behind the ears, black eyes or very tender points on the face
- Inability to remember 30 minutes before or after injury
- Unsteadiness standing or walking
- Dangerous mechanism of injury (e.g., struck by a car or falling down stairs)
- Slurring speech
- Weakness or numbness in the arms or legs
It is important that patients receive a proper neurological evaluation and management advice as soon as possible following a concussion as this can significantly impact recovery.
What is Post-Concussion Syndrome?
Up to 90% of concussion injuries can resolve symptomatically within 7-10 days; however, in some cases, concussion injuries have longer lasting symptoms. If you experience symptoms beyond 4 weeks, this is known as post-concussion syndrome.
Very little is known about what causes post-concussion syndrome. It is currently believed to be due to continued blood flow abnormalities in the brain, continued energy deficits in the brain, psychosomatic disorders, vestibular/ocular issues (integration between visual and balance systems) and/or potential dysfunction in the muscles and joints of your neck that occurred because of the impact.
Covered by
- Covered by private insurance plans
- Payment required
Our concussion care is offered at 5-5303 Canotek Road in Gloucester, close to arenas and families in Orléans, Blackburn Hamlet and Rothwell Heights.
Book your visit
Concussion clinic in Gloucester, Ottawa
Our concussion management care is at 5-5303 Canotek Rd in Gloucester, serving athletes, students and workers across Ottawa’s east end, from assessment to return to sport, school or work.
📍 5-5303 Canotek Rd, Gloucester
Mon–Thu 7am–8pm · Fri 7am–5pm · Sat 9am–2pm
Common questions
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.
Read the full answer →What are the signs of a concussion, and when is it an emergency?
Common signs of a concussion are headache, dizziness, nausea, sensitivity to light or noise, trouble concentrating and simply not feeling right after a hit to the head or body. It is an emergency if the person loses consciousness, has a seizure, vomits repeatedly, or has a headache or confusion that keeps getting worse: call 911.
Read the full answer →Concussion rehabilitation: what does the treatment protocol involve?
Concussion treatment is active and guided. It starts with an assessment, followed by a step-by-step plan for returning to school, work and sport, plus treatment for the neck pain, dizziness and headaches that can come with a concussion.
Read the full answer →Do I need medical clearance to return to sport after a concussion in Ontario?
Yes. Under Rowan’s Law, an athlete in amateur competitive sport in Ontario who has had a concussion needs medical clearance before returning to unrestricted practice, training or competition. Only a physician or a nurse practitioner can provide that clearance.
Read the full answer →How long does a concussion take to heal?
Most people with a concussion get better within one to four weeks. Recovery varies from person to person, and some people have symptoms that last longer and need more support.
Read the full answer →When can I go back to school or work after a concussion?
Most people can begin a gradual return to school or work within a few days of a concussion, as soon as they can manage light mental activity without symptoms getting much worse. You do not need to be symptom-free first, and returning to learning comes before returning to unrestricted sport.
Read the full answer →What is concussion baseline testing, and who needs it?
A concussion baseline test is a set of measurements taken while an athlete is healthy, such as balance, memory, reaction time and symptoms. If that athlete is later injured, the results give their health care team a personal “normal” to compare against.
Read the full answer →
How can we help?
Ask a Question
Book an Appointment
Career Inquiry
Hours & Location
5-5303 Canotek Rd, Gloucester, ON
Monday - Thursday
7:00AM - 8:00PM
Friday
7:00AM - 5:00PM
Saturday
9:00AM - 2:00PM
Sundays and holidays
CLOSED
Successfully submitted!
thank you for your inquiry. One of the PST staff will
reach out to you shortly.