• Headache
• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Balance problems
• Dizziness
• Visual problems
• Fatigue
• Sensitivity to light
• Sensitivity to noise
• Numbness/tingling

• Feeling mentally foggy
• Feeling slowed down
• Difficulty concentrating
• Difficulty remembering

• Irritability or moodiness
• Sadness
• Decreased interest in hobbies
• Nervousness

• Drowsiness
• Sleeping less than usual
• Sleeping more than usual
• Trouble falling asleep

Concussion care at Michigan Medicine

Michigan Medicine generally offers two care pathways:

• NeuroSport: For people who regularly exercise or participate in sports. To schedule an appointment, call 734-615-7246.
• Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation (PM&R) Concussion Clinic: For people who do not regularly exercise or participate in sports. To schedule an appointment, call 734-936-7175.

Your healthcare professional can help determine which clinic is appropriate for you.

Activity and exercise

Follow your healthcare professional’s instructions throughout your recovery.

During the first 1–2 days

• Get relative rest.
• Avoid activities that could lead to another hit to the head.
• Limit activities that significantly worsen your symptoms.

Relative rest does not usually mean staying in bed or sitting in a dark room all day. Light activities that do not significantly worsen symptoms may be appropriate.

As your symptoms improve

Gradually return to light activity, such as:

• Everyday household and personal activities
• Walking
• Riding a stationary bicycle

A small and brief increase in symptoms may occur. Slow down or stop if an activity causes a significant increase—generally more than 2 points on a 10-point symptom scale—or if symptoms do not settle after you rest.

Balance activity with rest, increase activity gradually, and follow your concussion specialist’s advice.

Symptoms may worsen with:

• Mental or physical exertion
• Bright lights
• Loud noises
• Busy or crowded places

Support your recovery

• Aim for 8–10 hours of sleep each night.
• Eat a balanced diet.
• Stay hydrated. For many people, this means drinking 60–80 ounces of non-caffeinated fluid daily.
• Avoid activities that could cause another concussion until a healthcare professional says they are safe.

Ask your healthcare professional how much fluid is appropriate for you, especially if you have been advised to limit fluids because of another medical condition.

Screen use

You may temporarily need to reduce time spent using:

• Phones
• Computers
• Tablets
• Televisions
• Video games
• Social media

Screen use is generally acceptable if it does not significantly worsen your symptoms.

If screens trigger symptoms:

1. Use them for shorter periods.
2. Stop before your symptoms become much worse.
3. Take regular breaks.
4. Gradually increase screen time as tolerated.

Returning to school or work

Temporary accommodations may help you return safely and successfully. Depending on your symptoms, you may need:

• Time away from school or work
• A gradual return
• Shorter school or workdays
• Additional time for assignments or tests
• Scheduled rest breaks
• Adjustments to lighting, noise, workload, or screen use

Your healthcare professional may provide a letter describing recommended accommodations.

Returning to exercise or sports

Do not return fully to sports or other activities with a risk of head injury until a qualified healthcare professional clears you.

Athletes should complete a step-by-step return-to-play program that gradually increases activity. This process helps your care team determine whether it is safe for you to advance.

Complete the program under the guidance of a healthcare professional with experience in concussion care. Do not move to the next step until your clinician says it is safe.

Recovery

Recovery is different for each person. With appropriate care, most people recover fully. Many children and adults recover within 30 days, although some people need more time.

Contact your healthcare professional if:

• Your symptoms are not improving.
• Your symptoms are getting worse.
• You have difficulty returning to school, work, or everyday activities.
• You have questions or concerns about your recovery.

For people who do not regularly exercise or participate in sports the PMR concussion clinic offers an evidence-based, time-limited comprehensive recovery program designed to get a patient’s recovery on track, or back on track, quickly. For those with recent experience of concussion, the PMR acute concussion provides a comprehensive educational session. This includes an explanation of the science behind concussion recovery, as well as dispels several common myths about concussion, and provides evidence-based recommendations about how to reengage in activities, and coping strategies for managing acute symptoms in a way that allows the patient to get back to everyday life. 

For those whose injuries occurred more than six months ago, the PMR concussion program includes a six-week group intervention with more in-depth exploration of strategies to optimize functioning and improve mood. This includes consults with our physiatrists, and options for focused, time-limited therapies to optimize functional cognition and improve symptom management for pain, balance, and sensory issues.  As with our inpatient program, the PMR concussion programs focus on evidence-based, patient-centered care with an emphasis on patient values, patient-specific goals, and optimizing functional outcomes.  

Schedule an appointment

• NeuroSport: Call 734-615-7246.
• PM&R Concussion Clinic: Call 734-936-7175.

This information provides general guidance and is not a substitute for an evaluation or treatment plan from a qualified healthcare professional.