What is Concussion Rehabilitation?
Concussion is a brain injury that affects movement, balance, vision, thinking, and energy. Recovery is rarely passive — guided, progressive rehabilitation helps most people recover faster and more completely than rest alone. At Maloney Elkassem Wellness in St. Albert, our physiotherapists provide individualized concussion rehabilitation using current best practices.
Who This Helps
Sport-related concussion
Hockey, football, skiing, cycling, soccer, martial arts
Motor vehicle accident concussion
Concussion after a collision, including whiplash-related symptoms
Workplace injury concussion
Head injuries sustained on the job, including WCB claims
Fall-related head injury
Slips, trips, and falls at home, on ice, or during activity
Repeated head impacts
Cumulative impacts from sport, work, or prior concussions
Lingering symptoms
Persistent headaches, brain fog, dizziness, nausea, light or sound sensitivity, difficulty with screens, poor sleep, mood changes, exercise intolerance
Our Approach to Concussion Care
Comprehensive Assessment
Symptom history and injury mechanism
Cervical spine screen (neck pain commonly contributes to post-concussion headaches and dizziness)
Vestibular and balance testing
Oculomotor and visual screening
Graded exertion testing when appropriate
Readiness-to-return planning for sport, work, or school
Individualized Rehabilitation
Cervical spine treatment (manual therapy, exercises, posture)
Vestibular rehabilitation (habituation, gaze stability, balance)
Oculomotor and visual exercises
Sub-symptom-threshold aerobic progressions (Buffalo Protocol approach)
Return-to-learn and return-to-work pacing
Return-to-sport progressions aligned with current consensus guidelines
Education on sleep, hydration, screen time, and symptom pacing
Multidisciplinary Support
Massage therapy for cervical and shoulder tension
Chiropractic care for cervical dysfunction
Acupuncture for headaches and sleep
Counselling and psychology for mood, anxiety, or adjustment challenges after concussion
Why Concussion Care Inside a Multidisciplinary Clinic
Many post-concussion symptoms overlap with neck dysfunction, visual strain, inner ear issues, sleep disruption, and mood changes. A one-size program rarely addresses all of these. Our team can coordinate physiotherapy, chiropractic, massage, acupuncture, and counselling under one roof — which usually means faster progress and fewer appointments across different clinics.
When to Seek Urgent Medical Assessment
Seek emergency medical care if you or someone with you experiences worsening headache, repeated vomiting, seizures, weakness or numbness, slurred speech, severe confusion, or deteriorating level of consciousness. Concussion rehabilitation is not a substitute for emergency medical assessment.
Frequently Asked Questions
How soon after a concussion should I start rehabilitation?
Current best-practice guidelines favour early, gentle, symptom-guided activity rather than complete rest. For most people, a short period of relative rest in the first 24–48 hours is followed by gradual return to light activity and early rehab. Your physiotherapist will individualize the timing based on your symptoms and injury.
Do I need a doctor’s referral?
No referral is required to see our physiotherapists for concussion rehabilitation. Most extended health plans cover physiotherapy without a referral. If your situation involves a motor vehicle accident, WCB, or disability claim, there may be referral or paperwork requirements for coverage.
Is this covered by insurance?
Physiotherapy is covered by most extended health plans and by MVA/WCB claims where applicable. Our team can help verify your coverage.
Can you work with my student-athlete during return-to-sport?
Yes. We follow stepwise return-to-sport progressions and coordinate with coaches, parents, and school as needed.
What should I bring to my first appointment?
A list of your current symptoms, timing and mechanism of your injury, any imaging or medical reports you have, your insurance information, and a list of medications you are taking.
Book an Appointment
Take the first step toward better health today. Our team at Maloney Elkassem Wellness is ready to provide personalized care for your body and mind. Schedule your appointment today.
Book Your Concussion Assessment in St. Albert
Guided recovery. Individualized care. Multidisciplinary support when you need it.