Concussion and mild traumatic brain injury are two terms that are often used interchangeably to describe a range of symptoms following a head injury that can make dealing with day to day life extremely tough. It is not always a direct impact to the head that causes the injury but any mechanism that leads to rapid acceleration-deceleration of the head. This shake of the head often results in the onset of changes in brain function that can last from minutes to months.

It is important to remember that it is not necessary to suffer loss of consciousness to have sustained a concussion and symptoms can be noticeable immediately or take up to 48 hours to come on. If you suspect a mechanism that could lead to a concussion the safest thing is to remove yourself from stimulating or stressful environments whether you’ve suffered the injury at home or work, or in a sporting context. 

Concussion is very treatable! It is largely a functional problem, not structural which means that there is a lot that can be done to get sufferers back to being themselves. Concussion rehabilitation focuses on addressing the root causes of symptoms through rehabilitation exercises and striking a balance between rest and progressive build up of activity levels.

Beyond 48 hours it is important not to stay too sedentary but operate at a lower level in terms of physical and cognitive activity, that is to say, nothing that excessively aggravates symptoms. After this period of time you can start your active rehabilitation programme. This includes an assessment of the part of the brain that is responsible for the autonomic function of the body (the autonomic nervous system) - heart rate, breathing rate, blood pressure, sleeping and so on. Following that you should have an assessment of the balance system (the vestibular and oculomotor systems) and your neck that may be contributing symptoms of headache and a sense of unsteadiness. When the type and severity of dysfunction in these areas has been established you are then ready to start your personalised rehabilitation programme based on the findings of your assessment.

Having a concussion is a confusing and scary time. Heady aims to make this better by providing you with a structured rehabilitation plan that is personalised to your needs, helping you to return to normal faster and with more confidence.

Heady is a pioneering startup with a mission to revolutionise concussion care and standards. Our platform offers an evidence based approach that analyses the root causes of an individual's symptoms and offers a comprehensive management plan, enabling a targeted and effective treatment strategy.

Heady excels in developing personalised rehabilitation plans tailored to each user's unique needs. This approach represents a groundbreaking shift from the traditional watch and wait model of concussion recovery. Heady's commitment to personalised care not only enhances the overall effectiveness of rehabilitation but also empowers individuals to actively participate in their recovery, fostering a sense of ownership and engagement in the healing process. In doing so, Heady not only addresses the immediate concerns of concussion but also promotes long-term well-being and resilience in its users.

Evidenced based assessment of the cause of your symptoms

Personalised rehabilitation plan based on assessment findings

Education and advice

Guidance on return to work/study/sport