Concussion & mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI)
A concussion is a mild traumatic brain injury caused by a blow, jolt or rapid movement of the head — in a car crash, a fall or a hit in sports. Symptoms can include headache, dizziness, trouble concentrating, memory problems, light or noise sensitivity, sleep changes and mood changes.
Common symptoms
- Headache or pressure in the head
- Dizziness or balance problems
- Nausea
- Sensitivity to light or noise
- Trouble concentrating or remembering
- Feeling slowed down or foggy
- Sleeping more or less than usual
- Irritability, anxiety or low mood
How we evaluate it
Your first visit is a live video evaluation with a neurologist or PM&R physician. They review how the injury happened, your symptoms and any imaging or records, and document your symptoms with standardized tools such as the Rivermead questionnaire and vestibular-ocular screening, so progress can be measured visit by visit.
How we treat it
Care starts with the specialist best suited to your case — neurology or physical medicine & rehabilitation — using objective screening, then one coordinated plan with early, active rehabilitation in line with ONF and VA/DoD guidelines.
- Clear information about what to expect and how to pace activity
- A brief rest, then a gradual return to daily activity and light exercise
- Treatment for the symptoms driving your recovery — headache, sleep, dizziness, thinking or mood
- Medications, therapy and testing ordered by your physician when needed
- A step-by-step return to work, school and sport.
What the guidelines say
Confirm the diagnosis, assess the risk of persistent symptoms at the first visit, give guidance on return to usual activities, and decide which symptoms to treat first.
Most adults recover fully within about a month. After a brief rest of 24–48 hours, everyday activity should resume gradually as symptoms allow.
Light activity such as walking is fine in the first 24–48 hours; prescribed aerobic exercise below the symptom threshold from 2–10 days after injury reduces the chance of persisting symptoms.
Each symptom — headache, sleep, dizziness, thinking, mood — is assessed and treated directly; persistent dizziness gets a trial of vestibular rehabilitation.
Clear information for patients and families about warning signs and the expected course of recovery is part of treatment.
This page is general information, not medical advice. Your clinicians tailor evaluation and treatment to your history, symptoms and goals.
Not sure where to start?
Our care team routes your case to the right specialist after intake. See the FAQ, the clinical guidelines behind our care, or check your state.