How long no activity after concussion

Pieroth, a clinical neuropsychologist with North Shore Medical Group in Chicago and a consultant to a number of Chicago professional sports teams, including the Bears. Like Dr. Cardenas, Dr. Pieroth sees many of the same downsides to keeping concussed athletes out of school for more than a few days after injury, including social isolation, depression, and an unhealthy focus on symptoms instead of recovery. If symptoms are severe, academic accommodations may be needed, such as shortening the school day or less homework or longer times to take tests.

Jama , 23 , —2. When is it time to start rehab? The American Journal of Sports Medicine. Find a Clinic. I Am a Concussion Patient. I Am a Healthcare Professional. Hit enter to search or ESC to close. Rest or physical activity after concussion? January 22, Updated June 27 Many people with a concussion are told by their healthcare practitioners to rest. To increase your concussion knowledge, check out our FREE weekly concussion workshops for healthcare professionals! Step 1: Back to regular activities.

Returning to school, work, or other daily responsibilities is the first important step in concussion recovery.

Step 2: Light aerobic exercise. Patients may participate in stationary biking, walking, light jogging, and other similar activities. Patients are typically safe to continue these activities for 5 to 10 minutes at a time. Step 3: Moderate exercise. More rigorous activities may be resumed e. Step 4: Heavy, non-contact exercise.

Athletes may resume sport-related drills, but should abstain from practice and competitive play. Casual athletes should increase their levels of exertion and the amount of time spent being active. Step 5: Practice, including contact. Athletes may resume full-contact practice with their teams.

Athletes who do solitary physical activities may use this step to increase their levels of physical exertion. Step 6: Play. A return to full-contact competitive play or vigorous solitary activities can be made. This kind of progression is typically done under the supervision of a health care professional and not undertaken independently by the patient.

It is especially important for contact-sport athletes to follow a regimented return to play progression under the supervision of a health care professional, such as a physical therapist or concussion specialist.

See What Is a Concussion Specialist?