What to Do If You Have a Concussion

A concussion can feel manageable one moment and much more serious an hour later, which is exactly why concussions catch people off guard so often.

Knowing what to do if you have a concussion matters more than most people realise, since the first 24 to 48 hours genuinely shape how recovery unfolds.

This guide walks through the practical steps, without replacing an actual assessment from a trained health professional.

If you’re at all unsure about the severity of a head injury, treating it seriously and seeking medical advice is always the safer choice to make.

The Neurochemical Reality of an Intracranial Acceleration Injury

An impulse force through the head, neck or body sets off a chain of physical and chemical reactions inside the skull, even when nothing looks visibly wrong on the outside. 

What Happens Internally to Brain Tissue During Impact?

A concussion occurs when the brain moves rapidly within the skull, triggering a temporary disruption of normal brain function rather than a structural injury to the brain.

This is why concussions don’t show up on standard imaging, even though the underlying disruption to brain function is very real and measurable through other means.

The disruption affects how brain cells communicate, which is why symptoms can affect memory, mood, balance, vision, sleep and concentration simultaneously.

Dispelling the Myth That Concussion Requires Loss of Consciousness

Most concussions don’t involve losing consciousness at all. Only around 10% to 20% of cases include any period of being knocked out.

Assuming a head knock is fine simply because someone stayed conscious can mean missing genuine warning signs that deserve closer attention and ongoing monitoring over the following days.

Confusion, a blank stare, or simply seeming “off” after a knock are just as significant as a period of unconsciousness and should be treated the same way.

Step 1: Immediate Triage and Screening for Red Flags

Stop the activity immediately and watch closely for warning signs, since some symptoms take hours to fully appear.

This applies whether the injury occurred during sport, a fall, a car accident, or any other kind of head injury.

Seek emergency care straight away for a worsening headache, repeated vomiting, seizures, unequal pupil size, or increasing confusion.

Slurred speech, new weakness or numbness in the limbs, or someone who can’t be woken are also reasons to seek emergency care immediately.

None of these signs should be watched and waited on at home. They warrant an emergency department visit rather than waiting for a next-day GP appointment.

Extra caution applies to children, since younger patients often need closer monitoring and a more conservative approach to any head injury.

Step 2: Navigating the Acute Phase Safely

The first 24 to 48 hours call for reduced physical and mental exertion, rather than complete darkness or total inactivity for days on end.

Current guidance has moved away from strict, prolonged rest, as research shows inactivity actually slows recovery.

A cognitive pacing strategy means gradually reintroducing reading, screen use, and normal tasks as symptoms allow, rather than jumping straight back to full activity.

Pushing through symptoms or not doing anything tends to prolong recovery rather than speed it up. A gradual symptom-guided return, is the pattern most current guidelines recommend over either extreme of complete rest or pushing through.

Alcohol and driving are both best avoided during the first few days, since a concussion affects reaction times and judgment in ways that aren’t always obvious.

Step 3: Engaging Licensed Healthcare Assessment Pathways

A diagnosis for concussion starts with a visit to your GP or ED. They can then refer you to a concussion service if your symptoms persist for more than 2 to 3 weeks. 

At Triskelion concussion care, we know that every concussion needs to be fully assessed and treated. If you leave a concussion untreated, research shows that this leads to other concussions and a change in your wellbeing. 

We don’t rely on symptoms but on physical examination. We start with a full assessment panel, which includes neurological , balance, musculoskeletal and other concussion focused assessment. Those assessments are vital to provide you with the best treatment.

Sport-related concussions in particular follow a structured process, since national sporting bodies now require formal medical clearance before any return to play or training. 

We also provide a return to sport assessment which clears you to return safely to your activities. ACC  covers part of your treatment when the concussion is due to an accident..

Traumatic brain injury recovery varies significantly between individuals, so a personalised plan from a qualified clinician matters more than generic timelines.

Even 2 people with seemingly similar injuries can have very different recovery paths, depending on factors like age, prior concussion history, and overall general health.

Keeping a simple symptom diary in the days after injury can also help a clinician track progress and adjust the recovery plan accordingly.

For those seeking specialist support, concussion treatment in Christchurch can provide assessment and a structured recovery plan tailored to the individual.

Frequently Asked Questions