Key takeaways
- After a concussion, a short period of relative rest, about 24 to 48 hours, is recommended rather than weeks in a dark room.
- Light physical activity that only mildly and briefly increases symptoms can start early and may speed recovery.
- Most people recover within about a month. Symptoms that last longer often respond to targeted rehabilitation.
- Dizziness, visual strain and neck pain after a concussion are treatable with vestibular, eye-movement and neck rehabilitation.
Reviewed by Dr. Manan Patel, PT, DPT, TPS. Updated October 17, 2026.
What a concussion is
A concussion is a mild traumatic brain injury caused by a blow to the head, or a jolt to the body that makes the head move quickly, as in a car accident or a fall. Most concussions do not show up on a CT or MRI scan, because the problem is in how the brain is working rather than visible damage.
Common symptoms include headache, dizziness, nausea, blurred vision, sensitivity to light and noise, feeling foggy, trouble concentrating, irritability and poor sleep.
The old advice: rest in a dark room
For years, people were told to rest completely until every symptom was gone. Research has since shown that strict rest can backfire: in a randomized trial, young patients told to rest strictly for five days reported more symptoms than those given usual care.1
The current approach: a little rest, then gradual activity
- First 24 to 48 hours
Relative rest. Cut back on screens and demanding tasks, but gentle walking and normal daily routines are fine if they do not worsen symptoms much.
- The days that follow
Light activity. Walking and light aerobic exercise that cause no more than a mild, brief increase in symptoms are encouraged.
- Return to learning and work
A gradual, step-by-step increase in mental load, with adjustments such as breaks and reduced screen time.
- Return to sport
A stepwise progression, with no contact or collision activity until a medical professional clears you.
These steps follow the 2022 international consensus on concussion in sport.2 In a randomized trial of adolescent athletes, those prescribed light aerobic exercise below their symptom threshold recovered sooner, in a median of 13 days, than those given stretching, at 17 days.3
Screens, work and sleep
- Screens: keep screen time light for the first day or two, then add it back in short blocks with breaks. Larger text, lower brightness and fewer open windows reduce visual strain.
- Work and school: start with shorter days or lighter tasks, take regular breaks, and build up over days to weeks as symptoms allow.
- Sleep: keep a regular schedule, limit naps to short rests early in the day, and avoid alcohol, which can worsen symptoms and slow recovery.
- Driving: wait until you can concentrate fully and turn your head without dizziness.
When symptoms do not settle
Most people feel better within a few weeks. When dizziness, headaches, visual strain or neck pain hang on, they often come from specific systems that can be tested and treated:4
- The inner ear: BPPV (positional vertigo) can follow a head injury and often clears in a few visits.
- Eye movements: trouble focusing, tracking or tolerating busy visual scenes.
- The neck: whiplash often accompanies a concussion and can cause headaches and dizziness.
- Exercise tolerance: a symptom-guided aerobic program helps retrain the system.
Red flags: get emergency care
Concussion after a car accident
Concussions from car accidents often come with whiplash, so neck and head symptoms overlap. Dr. Patel is both a Certified Vestibular Specialist and a Therapeutic Pain Specialist, so the inner ear, eye movements and neck can be treated in one plan. We accept Auto MedPay, attorney liens and Workers' Comp with $0 at your visit. Read more about post-concussion dizziness and whiplash.
Myth or fact?
Tap each statement to see what the evidence says.
Myth or fact?You should stay in a dark room until all your symptoms are gone.
Myth. Brief relative rest helps, but prolonged strict rest tends to slow recovery. Gradual activity is now recommended.
Myth or fact?If the CT scan was normal, it was not a concussion.
Myth. CT scans look for bleeding and fractures. Most concussions do not show on standard imaging.
Myth or fact?Light exercise can help concussion recovery.
Fact. Symptom-guided aerobic exercise, started early, is now part of standard care and was linked to faster recovery in a randomized trial.
Keep reading
- Neck and back pain from desk work: what actually helpsWhy perfect posture is a myth, which desk changes help, and a simple daily plan.3 min read · Patients
- The Epley maneuver: when it works, and why the side mattersHow canalith repositioning works, why home attempts fail, and what to expect afterward.4 min read · Patients
- All guidesBrowse the full learning center.
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References
- Thomas DG, et al. Benefits of strict rest after acute concussion: a randomized controlled trial. Pediatrics. 2015.
- Patricios JS, et al. Consensus statement on concussion in sport: the 6th International Conference on Concussion in Sport, Amsterdam 2022. British Journal of Sports Medicine. 2023.
- Leddy JJ, et al. Early subthreshold aerobic exercise for sport-related concussion: a randomized clinical trial. JAMA Pediatrics. 2019.
- Quatman-Yates CC, et al. Physical Therapy Evaluation and Treatment After Concussion/Mild Traumatic Brain Injury: Clinical Practice Guidelines. Journal of Orthopaedic & Sports Physical Therapy. 2020.
- Silverberg ND, et al. Management of Concussion and Mild Traumatic Brain Injury: A Synthesis of Practice Guidelines. Archives of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation. 2020.
This guide is general education, not a diagnosis or a substitute for an examination. If you have new or worsening symptoms, contact your doctor.
