CONCUSSION PHYSIOTHERAPY
Concussion recovery that moves at the pace your symptoms allow.
Physiotherapy for concussion symptoms that are lingering past the first few weeks, staged around real recovery evidence, not a blanket rest order.
OVERVIEW
What is concussion physiotherapy?
Concussion physiotherapy treats the specific physical systems that keep symptoms going after a head injury: the vestibular (inner-ear and balance) system, the neck, and exertion tolerance. Most concussions settle within days to about a month on their own, per the 6th International Consensus Statement on Concussion in Sport. When symptoms are still present past four weeks, generally called persisting symptoms, a physiotherapist assesses each of those drivers directly rather than asking you to keep resting and waiting.
At Launch Rehab, concussion physiotherapy starts with a working diagnosis, not a generic protocol. If dizziness is part of the picture, we assess it against our vestibular therapy program, since inner-ear and neck-driven dizziness look similar but need different treatment. If the concussion happened in a car crash or at work, we build the plan around the staged return-to-work timeline your claim requires.
Current guidance has moved away from prolonged strict rest. The staged model we use progresses through light cognitive activity, sub-symptom-threshold aerobic exercise, and a graded return to work, school, or sport, with each stage held until symptoms accept it before advancing to the next.
This page is general information, not personal medical advice or a diagnosis. A regulated practitioner can confirm what applies to your specific situation.
BENEFITS
What this work is for.
- Get an assessment that identifies what is actually driving lingering symptoms
- Treat post-concussion dizziness and balance problems directly
- Follow a staged, symptom-guided return to work or school
- Use calibrated aerobic exercise instead of open-ended rest
- Coordinate ICBC or WorkSafeBC claim documentation with your treatment plan
CONDITIONS WE TREAT
What we help with.
- Post-concussion dizziness and balance problems
- Persisting symptoms past four weeks
- Return-to-work or return-to-learn staging
- Concussion headaches and neck-driven symptoms
- Exertion intolerance and symptom flares with activity
- Concussion from a motor vehicle accident (ICBC)
- Workplace concussion (WorkSafeBC)
- Sport-related concussion
WHAT TO EXPECT
Your session, step by step.
Assessment
A full concussion-specific assessment: vestibular and oculomotor screening, neck examination, and an exertion-tolerance check. You leave with a working picture of what is driving your symptoms and a written, staged plan.
Vestibular and neck treatment
When dizziness or neck-driven symptoms are part of the picture, we treat them directly, the same assessment and treatment approach used in our vestibular therapy program.
Calibrated exercise
Light aerobic activity dosed below your symptom threshold, increased as tolerated. The goal is activity that does not significantly worsen symptoms, not complete rest.
Staged return to work or school
A graded, stage-by-stage return plan, each stage held at least a day before advancing, adjusted around your job or coursework and reviewed every visit.
Assessment
A full concussion-specific assessment: vestibular and oculomotor screening, neck examination, and an exertion-tolerance check. You leave with a working picture of what is driving your symptoms and a written, staged plan.
Vestibular and neck treatment
When dizziness or neck-driven symptoms are part of the picture, we treat them directly, the same assessment and treatment approach used in our vestibular therapy program.
Calibrated exercise
Light aerobic activity dosed below your symptom threshold, increased as tolerated. The goal is activity that does not significantly worsen symptoms, not complete rest.
Staged return to work or school
A graded, stage-by-stage return plan, each stage held at least a day before advancing, adjusted around your job or coursework and reviewed every visit.
UNDERSTANDING CONCUSSION PHYSIOTHERAPY
How Launch Rehab approaches concussion recovery.
WHAT TO EXPECT
What a typical recovery timeline looks like
Most adults recover clinically within days to about a month. The path is rarely a straight line, and a flare after a busy day is not the same as re-injury. Our full breakdown of the first six weeks, stage by stage, is in the journal.
Days 0 to 2
Relative rest, not strict rest: cut back on screens and heavy thinking, but stay lightly active rather than resting in a dark room. A physician assessment for medical clearance belongs in this window.
Days 3 to 10
Light, symptom-tolerable movement (walking, an easy stationary bike) and short blocks of cognitive activity, scaled up as tolerated.
Weeks 2 to 4
A staged climb back into work, school, and exercise. Most adults are at or near baseline by the end of this window.
Past 4 weeks without clear improvement
This is when we screen the vestibular system, the neck, and exertion tolerance specifically, rather than recommending more rest.
This article is general information, not personal medical advice. Reference: 6th International Consensus Statement on Concussion in Sport (Amsterdam), British Journal of Sports Medicine, 2023.
ICBC COVERAGE
Concussion physiotherapy after a car accident
Concussions from motor vehicle accidents are covered under ICBC's Enhanced Care program in the first 12 weeks, without needing a doctor's referral first. We bill ICBC directly for approved treatment. Workplace concussions run through WorkSafeBC on the same direct-billing basis. Bring your claim number to your first appointment either way.
WHY LAUNCH REHAB
What you get with us.
One-on-one, always
The clinician who assesses you is the clinician who treats you and progresses your plan. No assistant hand-off.
Five Metro Vancouver studios
Lougheed, Coquitlam, Richmond, New Westminster and North Burnaby. Book at the studio nearest you.
Evenings and weekends
Appointments outside business hours so treatment fits around work, not the other way around.
Direct billing
ICBC, MSP, WorkSafeBC and most extended health plans billed directly by our client care coordinators.
Convenient parking
Free parking at our Lougheed, North Burnaby and Richmond studios; paid street and transit-station parking at Coquitlam and New Westminster.
Regulated practitioners
Every clinician is licensed by their BC college and held to its scope-of-practice and ethics standards.
KIND WORDS
What our clients say.
"After seeing different physiotherapists and chiropractors for over 10 years, I can confidently say Byron is one of the best physiotherapists I’ve worked with. From my very first appointment, he established that the goal wasn’t just to treat my pain temporarily, but to build a strong foundation so my back could heal properly for the long term. He took the time to thoroughly assess my condition and explained everything in a way that was easy to understand. For the first time, I truly understood why I was experiencing my symptoms and what the recovery process would look like. What really sets Byron apart is how thoughtful and patient he is. He always explains the purpose behind every exercise and how each one fits into my recovery plan. If an exercise feels too difficult or aggravates my symptoms, he genuinely listens to my feedback and quickly modifies the exercises so I can continue progressing safely. I never feel like my concerns are dismissed, and I always leave each session feeling informed, heard, and supported. After just one month of following his treatment plan, I’ve noticed a significant improvement in my back pain, strength, and confidence with movement. Although recovery will still take time, it’s been incredibly encouraging to regain a sense of control and independence in my daily life. It’s reassuring to see real progress after struggling with recurring back issues for so many years. Another thing I really appreciate is the teamwork at the clinic. If I’m unable to see Byron for one of my appointments, he collaborates closely with the another physiotherapist (Harleen) and thoroughly communicates my condition, treatment progress, and goals. Because of this, I never feel like I’m starting over with someone new. It’s reassuring to know I’ll receive the same high quality of care regardless of who I see. Overall, I’ve had a positive experience at Launch Rehab. If you’re looking for a physiotherapist who takes the time to educate you, creates a personalized recovery plan, and genuinely invests in your recovery, I highly recommend Byron. The quality of care I’ve received has been exceptional, and I’m incredibly grateful for his help."
JOEY CHU · LOUGHEED
FIVE STUDIOS · METRO VANCOUVER
OUR LOCATIONS
EST. 2025
LAUNCH REHAB LOUGHEED
Located next to LifeLabs in the City of Lougheed.
EST. 2024
LAUNCH REHAB COQUITLAM
On the second floor of the Evergreen building at Pinetree Way and Glen Dr.
EST. 2023
LAUNCH REHAB RICHMOND
Northeast corner of Williams Rd and No. 3 Rd in Broadmoor.
EST. 2021
LAUNCH REHAB NEW WESTMINSTER
Second floor of the Shops at New West, inside the Skytrain Station.
EST. 2015
LAUNCH REHAB NORTH BURNABY
Kensington Square Shopping Centre at Kensington Ave and Hastings St.
FAQ
Frequently asked questions.
Most adults recover clinically within days to about a month, per the 6th International Consensus Statement on Concussion in Sport. A slower-than-average recovery is still common and usually still normal, especially when symptoms are clearly trending down week over week.
FROM THE JOURNAL