Concussion Recovery (Post-Concussion Symptoms)
Also known as: Concussion recovery, Post-concussion syndrome, Mild traumatic brain injury recovery, Post-concussive symptoms, Sports concussion, mTBI
Concussion is a mild traumatic brain injury caused by a blow or jolt to the head or body. Most people recover within two to four weeks, but a minority develop persistent post-concussion symptoms: headache, dizziness, poor concentration, fatigue, light and noise sensitivity, sleep disturbance and low mood [1][2]. Current management emphasises early relative rest for 24 to 48 hours followed by graduated return to activity, with sub-symptom-threshold aerobic exercise now recommended rather than prolonged strict rest [1][2][3]. Red flags such as worsening headache, repeated vomiting, seizure, unequal pupils or increasing drowsiness require emergency care to exclude intracranial bleeding [1][4]. In Chinese medicine post-concussion symptoms are understood as trauma causing Blood stasis in the head collaterals, disturbance of the Shén 神 (mind), and later depletion of Qi, Blood and Kidney essence. Acupuncture is an adjunct to, never a substitute for, medical assessment and graduated return-to-play protocols [1][2][5].
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Lifestyle & Diet
- •Follow the graduated return-to-activity and return-to-play steps set by the treating doctor; do not rush back to sport [1][3].
- •Keep 24 to 48 hours of relative rest after injury, then reintroduce light activity as tolerated [2].
- •Limit screen time, bright light and loud environments while they provoke symptoms.
- •Avoid alcohol and non-prescribed sedatives during recovery [1].
- •Do not drive until cleared if concentration, reaction time or vision are affected [1].
Cautions & Contraindications
- •Never treat acute head injury on site; suspected concussion requires medical assessment first [1][4].
- •Avoid strong scalp needling or electroacupuncture over the head in the first days after injury.
- •Acupuncture does not replace neuroimaging, medical clearance or return-to-play protocols [1][3].
- •Avoid needling in patients on anticoagulants after head injury without medical clearance, given intracranial bleeding risk.
When to reassess or seek care again
Track headache frequency, dizziness, sleep quality and concentration each session. If symptoms are not improving after four to six sessions, or any new neurological symptom appears, refer back to the GP or concussion clinic. Return-to-sport clearance remains with the treating doctor [1][3].
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Sources & Further Reading
Clinical guidance, red flags and safety notes on this page draw on the following current sources alongside the classical references above.
- Healthdirect Australia · 2024
- Australian Institute of Sport · 2024
- British Journal of Sports Medicine (PubMed) · 2023
- Royal Children's Hospital Melbourne · 2023
- PubMed · 2016
- Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency · 2024
Educational reference for licensed practitioners. Not a substitute for individual clinical assessment. Refer to conventional care for any red-flag or undiagnosed presentation.