Concussion & Brain Injury Physiotherapy
Concussion Rehabilitation in Tauranga, Papamoa & Mount Maunganui
Still not feeling like yourself after a concussion?
Headaches, dizziness, fatigue, brain fog, visual symptoms and difficulty returning to exercise, work, school or sport can make everyday life challenging — particularly when you expected to have recovered by now.
Neurological rehabilitation is what we do every day. The Rehab Team focuses exclusively on neurological physiotherapy, so our clinicians work with the brain, nervous system and their impact on movement and function every day. This experience helps us understand the complex and often interconnected symptoms that can occur following a concussion.
We provide expert neurological and vestibular physiotherapy for concussion and mild traumatic brain injury, using a multimodal assessment to understand what may be contributing to your symptoms and an individualised rehabilitation programme to help you return to the activities that matter to you.
We provide in-home physiotherapy throughout Tauranga, Papamoa and Mount Maunganui, allowing assessment and rehabilitation to take place in the environment where you live and function.
What is a concussion?
A concussion is a type of mild traumatic brain injury caused by a blow, jolt or impact to the head or body that causes the brain to move rapidly within the skull.
A concussion can occur even when a CT or MRI scan is normal. Conventional brain imaging does not usually show the functional changes associated with concussion.
Most people recover well following a concussion, particularly when they receive appropriate education and gradually return to normal activities. However, some people continue to experience symptoms for weeks or months following their injury.
What are the symptoms of a concussion?
Concussion can affect a number of different systems within the body. Symptoms can vary considerably between people and may change throughout recovery.
Physical
Headache
Dizziness or nausea
Balance problems
Sensitivity to light or sound
Changes to your vision
Neck pain
Reduced tolerance to exercise
Cognitive symptoms
Fatigue
Brain fog
Difficulity concentrating
Memory changes
Slowed thinking/processing
Sleep-related changes
Difficulty falling asleep
Changes in sleep pattern
Poor sleep quality
Sleeping more or less than usual
Mood and emotional symptoms
Irritability
Change in mood
Feeling more anxious
Emotional sensitivity
Difficulty tolerating stressful situations
What can I do when my concussion doesn’t resolve?
Most people recover well following a concussion. However, some people develop persisting concussion symptoms beyond the expected recovery period.
Persistent symptoms can be frustrating and can affect your ability to work, study, exercise, drive, socialise or participate in everyday activities.
When symptoms persist, it is important to look at which systems may be contributing to your ongoing difficulties, rather than simply waiting for symptoms to disappear.
At The Rehab Team, our clinicians use a multimodal approach to assess the different systems that can be affected following a concussion. This helps us understand what may be contributing to your symptoms and focus rehabilitation on the areas that are affecting your recovery.
What should concussion rehabilitation look like?
Concussion rehabilitation is not the same for everyone. Treatment is guided by your symptoms, assessment findings and goals.
Physiotherapy may help with:
Dizziness and balance: Vestibular assessment and rehabilitation helps identify and treat problems affecting the vestibular system, balance and the way your brain processes movement.
Visual and eye movement symptoms: We assess aspects of visual and eye movement function that may be contributing to dizziness, visual discomfort or difficulty in busy environments.
Neck pain and headaches: Neck problems can contribute to headaches, dizziness and other symptoms following concussion. We can assess your neck function and, where hands-on treatment is required, refer you to a recommended musculoskeletal physiotherapist.
Exercise intolerance: Exercise tolerance can be reduced following concussion. We can assess your response to exercise and develop an individualised programme to gradually rebuild your physical capacity.
Fatigue and activity tolerance: Returning to normal activity after concussion needs to be appropriately paced. We can help you understand your current capacity and gradually increase physical, cognitive and everyday activities without pushing beyond what your symptoms can tolerate.
Return to work, study, sport and everyday activities: Rehabilitation can include a graded return to the activities that are important to you, such as work, study, sport, driving and social activities.
It may be important to refer to another health professionals too - such as an Occupational Therapy or a Psychologist.
How do I access concussion rehabilitation?
There are several ways to access concussion rehabilitation through The Rehab Team, depending on your injury, ACC claim and referral pathway.
ACC surcharge appointment
Less than 12 months + accepted ACC claim
If your concussion injury occurred less than 12 months ago and you have an accepted ACC claim.
ACC contributes towards the cost of treatment alongside a patient surcharge.
Arrange an appointment - Here.
ACC Concussion Service
GP referral
The Rehab Team provides fully funded concussion rehabilitation through the ACC Concussion Service, through a nationwide provider.
Your GP needs to complete the referral to ensure you meet the referral criteria.
Want your GP to refer you? Download our GP referral form below - Here.
Once completed - email it through and we will sort the rest.
Private funded
Injury over 12 months ago or no ACC claim
If your concussion occurred more than 12 months ago, or you do not have an appropriate ACC pathway, your initial assessment can be completed privately.
In some circumstances, ACC funding may be available with prior approval. We can discuss the most appropriate pathway with you.
What our clients say
“The Rehab Team helped me rehab my concussion over the course of 2-3 months. I went from not thinking I could do my sport anymore to being set on a clear path to returning to it. Affordable and absolutely fantastic, couldn't recommend more”
— Tom “Kaitlin is a highly talented physio whose expertise helped get me back to normal after a complicated head and neck injury… Once I transferred my concussion care to Kaitlin, everything started improving within days, not weeks or months. If you’re struggling with a head injury or concussion, I can’t recommend Kaitlin highly enough
— Jack"Kaitlin was so friendly and personable. She was very good at listening to me and understanding about my situation. She helped me feel heaps better in less than 2 months compared to another service provider used previously that took over a year. Kaitlin really nailed my symptoms/diagnosed and was able to provide support for my recovery in an easy and helpful way."
— Michelle