Recovery from Concussion
Rest is very important after a concussion because it helps the brain heal. Your child or teen may need to limit activities while he or she is recovering from a concussion. Physical activities or activities that involve a lot of concentration, such as studying, working on the computer, or playing video games may cause concussion symptoms (such as headache or tiredness) to come back or get worse. After a concussion, physical and cognitive activities—such as concentration and learning—should be carefully watched by a medical provider. As the days go by, your child or teen can expect to slowly feel better.
Recovery Tips
Parents can help their child or teen feel better by being active in their recovery:
Rest is Key to Help the Brain Heal
- Have your child or teen get plenty of rest. Keep a regular sleep routine, including no late nights and no sleepovers.
- Make sure your child or teen avoids high-risk/high-speed activities that could result in another bump, blow, or jolt to the head or body, such as riding a bicycle, playing sports, climbing playground equipment, and riding roller coasters . Children and teens should not return to these types of activities until their medical provider says they are well enough.
- Share information about concussion with siblings, teachers, counselors, babysitters, coaches, and others who spend time with your child or teen. This can help them understand what has happened and how to help.
Return Slowly to Activities
- When your child’s or teen’s medical provider says they are well enough, make sure they return to their normal activities slowly, not all at once.
- Talk with their medical provider about when your child or teen should return to school and other activities and how you can help him or her deal with any challenges during their recovery. For example, your child may need to spend less time at school, rest often, or be given more time to take tests.
- Ask your child’s or teen’s medical provider when he or she can safely drive a car or ride a bike.
Talk to a Medical Provider about Concerns
- Give your child or teen only medications that are approved by their medical provider.
- If your child or teen already had a medical condition at the time of their concussion (such as ADHD or chronic headaches), it may take longer for them to recover from a concussion. Anxiety and depression may also make it harder to adjust to the symptoms of a concussion.
Post-Concussive Syndrome
While most children and teens with a concussion feel better within a couple of weeks, some will have symptoms for months or longer. Talk with your children’s or teens’ health care provider if their concussion symptoms do not go away or if they get worse after they return to their regular activities.
If your child or teen has concussion symptoms that last weeks to months after the injury, their medical provider may talk to you about post-concussive syndrome. While rare after only one concussion, post-concussive syndrome is believed to occur most commonly in patients with a history of multiple concussions.
There are many people who can help you and your family as your child or teen recovers. You do not have to do it alone. Keep talking with your medical provider, family members, and loved ones about how your child or teen is feeling. If you do not think he or she is getting better, tell your medical provider.
The Club Position on Concussion Injuries to Players
It is the clubs requirement that all Head Coaches, Assistant Coaches, Technical Trainers and Team Managers take and pass the required course provided by the C.D.C. and U.S.S.F.
This will be done on an annual basis. No staff member may begin training players until the requirement is met. It is important that all staff members, coaches and parents are aware of the nature and risk of concussions, criteria for removal and return to play, and risks of failing to report the injury and continuing to play.
Club protocol is that a player that is considered to be at risk by certified staff of having suffered a suspected concussion will be removed from the field of play as a precautionary measure. Once removed from the training or game environment a player must not return to any athletic activity until cleared by a licensed healthcare professional and written notice is provided to the club.