Patient & Family Education Materials
Concussion Clinic - First 14 Days
What you should do for the first 1-14 days after a Concussion
After a concussion you need to take it easy and rest for 1-2 days. This time allows your brain and body’s response to the injury to begin to heal. After this period of rest, start gradually increasing physical and cognitive activities.
Follow up with a medical provider (Primary Care or Children’s MN Concussion clinic 651-220-5230)
- Begin light activities such as going for short walk or riding a stationary bike.
- During this time, you may increase your non-contact physical activities.
- If symptoms continue, you may be seen by other members of the concussion team, such as physical therapy, occupational therapy, or psychology.
Physical Activity Recommendations
- Do normal activities: eat meals with your family, follow your normal sleep/wake schedule, perform all personal hygiene activities, and spend time each day sitting at a table/desk as if you were at school (even if all you do here is socialize with family and friends).
- Getting moving early is important: start with walking and gradually increase non-contact activities. These activities help recovery.
- Let your symptoms guide you: Some increase in symptoms are expected with increase of physical activities. If discomfort increases more than 2 points on a 10 point scale take a short rest.
- Avoid activities with risk of contact, falls, or collisions.
- For athletes that need return to play clearance, physical therapy evaluation is required.
Cognitive Activity Recommendations
- For the first 1-2 days: Limit activities such as working on a computer, driving, watching TV, reading, texting, studying, playing video games, or other activities that cause symptoms to appear or get worse.
- Gradually increase school work, reading, and electronic use, taking short breaks as needed.
- See the CDC’s “Returning to School after a Concussion: A Fact Sheet for School Professionals” (https://www.cdc.gov/headsup/pdfs/schools/tbi_factsheet_teachers-508-a.pdf) for more information on what to do about school during the rest and recovery period.
- Medical providers may recommend educational accommodations.
Reviewed 3/2024
This page is not specific to your child, but provides general information on the topic above. If you have any questions, please call your clinic. For more reading material about this and other health topics, please call or visit Children's Minnesota Family Resource Center library, or visit www.childrensmn.org/educationmaterials.
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