The Role of Sports & Exercise Physiotherapists in Concussion Care

Sports & Exercise Physiotherapists are an important part of concussion management, both in community sport, or in high performance settings.  Our understanding about concussion and how to manage this effectively is changing constantly.  The new 2024 Australian Concussion Guidelines for Youth & Community Sport provides the most up to date information on concussion management.  Physiotherapy is a critical part of care and rehabilitation.
Early involvement of a Sports & Exercise Physiotherapist to help athletes in post concussion management is crucial to optimising recovery and return to learning, work and finally sport.
In uncomplicated cases a Sports & Exercise Physiotherapist may be providing routine care, oversight and guidance through the Graded Return to Sport Framework (GRTSF)
In more complex cases or instances of persistent symptoms or prolonged recovery the Sports & Exercise Physiotherapist is crucial to specific management of concussion.