Whether you're playing football, skiing down a mountain, mountain biking on technical trails, or participating in your favorite sport, injuries can happen when you least expect them. But one injury that deserves more attention is a concussion.
Concussions are often misunderstood. Some people assume you need a direct hit to the head to experience one, while others believe that resting in a dark room until symptoms disappear is all it takes to recover.
The reality is more complicated.
A concussion can affect memory, balance, coordination, mood, vision, and your ability to perform everyday activities. Understanding how these injuries happen, recognizing the warning signs, and knowing what proper recovery involves can make a meaningful difference in protecting your long-term health.
In an episode of The Art of Prevention Podcast, we spoke with Leonard Wright, a chiropractor and functional neurology specialist at Parker Performance Institute in Dallas, Texas, about concussion prevention, repeated head injuries, and the importance of individualized recovery.
Here's what athletes, parents, and anyone participating in high-impact activities should understand.
What Is a Concussion and How Does It Happen?
A concussion is a brain injury caused by a direct or indirect impact to the head or neck that transmits force to the brain.
This means you don't necessarily have to hit your head directly to experience a concussion. A sudden fall, collision, or rapid acceleration and deceleration of the head can also create forces that affect the brain.
This is particularly important for people participating in high-velocity activities such as skiing and mountain biking, where falls and sudden impacts are common.
Concussions can also happen in traditional team sports, including football and soccer.
Recognizing the Symptoms of a Concussion
One of the biggest challenges with concussions is that symptoms don't look the same for everyone.
Some individuals experience obvious physical symptoms, while others notice changes in their thinking, behavior, or emotional well-being.
Common symptoms may include headaches, memory difficulties, trouble concentrating, dizziness, balance problems, changes in eye movements, irritability, and anxiety.
In the podcast, Leonard also explains how concussion symptoms can involve different neurological systems. This is why a thorough evaluation matters rather than focusing on headaches or dizziness alone.
A person might feel physically better but continue experiencing difficulties with memory, mood, or coordination.
Why Returning to Sports Too Soon Can Be Dangerous
One of the most important topics discussed in the episode is the risk of experiencing another head injury before adequately recovering from the first.
This brings us to Second Impact Syndrome, a serious and potentially life-threatening complication associated with a second head injury before recovery from an initial concussion.
An athlete who feels pressured to return to the field, court, or trail may overlook symptoms or underestimate the importance of recovery.
Parents and coaches also play an important role in recognizing when something isn't right.
If an athlete experiences confusion, unusual stumbling, difficulty speaking, worsening headaches, or other concerning neurological symptoms after a head injury, they need immediate medical evaluation. A suspected concussion should never be ignored or treated as something an athlete simply needs to push through.
The goal isn't just getting back into the game. It's making sure you're ready to return safely.
How Can Athletes Reduce Their Risk of Concussions?
Although it's impossible to eliminate every risk associated with contact sports and high-speed activities, there are practical ways to reduce unnecessary exposure to head impacts.
1. Use Proper Protective Equipment
Wearing properly fitted helmets and mouthguards is an important part of sports safety.
For activities such as skiing, cycling, and football, appropriate protective equipment can help reduce certain injury risks. However, helmets cannot eliminate the possibility of a concussion.
Equipment should fit correctly and be suitable for the specific activity.
2. Build Neck Strength and Coordination
Neck strength and neuromuscular control are also important considerations in sports preparation.
The neck helps control head movement, particularly during sudden changes in direction or unexpected impacts. Strengthening and coordination exercises can help athletes develop better movement control.
3. Reduce Unnecessary Head Contact During Practice
Prevention also starts with how athletes train.
In contact sports, coaches can consider reducing repetitive head impacts during practice by using safer alternatives, such as tackling dummies, instead of unnecessary full-contact drills.
Small adjustments to training environments can help reduce exposure without removing the opportunity to develop athletic skills.
Understanding the Different Phases of Concussion Recovery
Recovery isn't necessarily the same for every person. According to Leonard, concussion rehabilitation can be understood through three general phases.
The Acute Phase: First 24–48 Hours
The initial phase focuses on medical evaluation, monitoring symptoms, and ensuring there are no serious complications, such as bleeding in the brain.
Appropriate rest during this period is important. Anyone with a suspected concussion should receive medical guidance rather than attempting to self-diagnose or manage the injury independently.
The Subacute Phase: 48 Hours to Approximately 3–4 Weeks
After the initial period, recovery may involve gradually returning to everyday activities, including walking, work, school, and appropriate physical activity.
The important part is monitoring how the body responds.
If symptoms increase, activity should be adjusted with guidance from a healthcare professional. Recovery shouldn't mean immediately returning to intense workouts or competitive sports.
Persistent Symptoms: Around Four Weeks and Beyond
Some individuals continue experiencing symptoms beyond the expected recovery period.
This may involve ongoing difficulties with balance, eye movements, headaches, concentration, or emotional regulation.
At this stage, an individualized rehabilitation approach may be beneficial. Depending on the person's needs, rehabilitation may involve eye movement exercises, balance and vestibular training, neck rehabilitation, appropriately prescribed cardiovascular exercise, and nutritional or psychological support.
The goal is to understand which systems are still affected and develop a recovery plan that addresses those specific needs.
Why Individualized Rehabilitation Matters
One of the biggest takeaways from the conversation with Leonard is that concussion recovery isn't a one-size-fits-all process.
Two athletes can experience similar head injuries but develop completely different symptoms.
One person may struggle with balance, while another experiences persistent headaches, difficulty concentrating, or changes in mood.
This is why understanding the individual's history, symptoms, physical limitations, and recovery progress is important.
At Synergy Sports Clinic, we believe that understanding the person behind the injury is an essential part of providing meaningful care. Looking beyond the painful area and evaluating how the body moves can help identify limitations that may affect performance and recovery.
Whether you're recovering from an injury or trying to return to an activity you love, having a plan built around your needs and goals matters.
Conclusion: Prevention Starts With Understanding Your Body
You can't always prevent accidents, especially when participating in contact sports or high-velocity activities. But you can make informed decisions that help protect your health.
Know your concussion history. Understand the warning signs. Wear appropriate protective equipment, prepare your body through strength and coordination training, and never rush your return to sports after a suspected head injury.
As Leonard emphasized during the podcast, understanding your history and knowing your limits are among the most important steps toward protecting yourself.
And remember, recovery isn't just about making symptoms disappear. It's about understanding what your body needs and giving yourself the right support to move forward safely.
Ready to take the next step toward better movement and recovery?
At Synergy Sports Clinic, we help active individuals identify movement limitations, understand the factors contributing to their pain, and work toward getting back to the activities they love.
Don't let pain or physical limitations keep you from enjoying your active lifestyle.
Get a FREE assessment with Synergy Sports Clinic!
Visit https://synergysportsclinic.org to learn more about our approach, explore more educational resources, and book your free assessment in Grand Junction, Colorado.
Frequently Asked Questions About Concussions
1. Can you get a concussion without hitting your head?
Yes. A concussion can result from an indirect impact to the head or neck. Sudden acceleration, deceleration, or forceful movement can transmit forces to the brain even without a direct head impact.
2. What are the most common symptoms of a concussion?
Common symptoms include headaches, dizziness, memory problems, difficulty concentrating, balance issues, changes in vision, irritability, and anxiety. Symptoms can vary from person to person.
3. How long does it take to recover from a concussion?
Recovery varies depending on the individual, the injury, and the symptoms experienced. Many people improve within a few weeks, while others experience persistent symptoms that require further medical evaluation and individualized rehabilitation.
4. Should you stay in a dark room after a concussion?
Initial rest is important, particularly during the first 24–48 hours. However, prolonged complete rest is generally not the goal. A gradual, medically guided return to everyday activities and appropriate exercise is often part of recovery.
5. Can strengthening your neck help prevent concussions?
Neck strengthening can support head control and neuromuscular coordination. It is one potential component of sports preparation, but it cannot guarantee protection against concussions.
6. When should you seek professional help after a head injury?
Any suspected concussion should be evaluated by a qualified healthcare professional. Seek emergency medical attention for worsening headaches, repeated vomiting, seizures, weakness, slurred speech, increasing confusion, unequal pupils, or difficulty waking up.
7. Can I get an assessment at Synergy Sports Clinic if I have pain or movement limitations?
Yes! Synergy Sports Clinic offers free assessments to help active individuals understand their movement limitations, discuss their goals, and explore an appropriate care plan. Visit https://synergysportsclinic.org to get started.
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