How to Treat a Concussion

If you or a loved one has experienced a blow to the head or a sudden jolt, it’s important to act quickly and wisely. The first step is to stop any physical activity immediately, as continuing to be active can increase the risk of a more serious brain injury.

Move yourself or the injured person to a safe environment right away. Carefully observe for any warning signs of severe injury, such as loss of consciousness, repeated vomiting, severe headache, confusion, weakness, slurred speech, or difficulty waking up. If any of these symptoms are present, call 911 or seek emergency medical attention immediately.
 
Even if symptoms seem mild, a professional evaluation is essential. At Urban Wellness Group, our experienced providers offer thorough concussion assessments, including a physical exam and a detailed review of your symptoms and history. We’ll also guide you through the critical first 24 to 48 hours, monitoring for any changes or complications.

Rest—both physical and mental—is a key part of recovery. We recommend avoiding strenuous activity, screen time, and any tasks that require intense concentration until you’ve been cleared by our healthcare team. Refrain from alcohol and any non-prescribed medications, as these can interfere with the healing process.
 
Most importantly, do not return to sports, school, or work until you’ve been evaluated by a medical professional and have a personalized plan for a safe, gradual return to your normal activities. Urban Wellness Group is here to support you every step of the way, ensuring early recognition and expert management for the best possible outcome after a concussion.

At Urban Wellness Group, we understand how important a safe and effective recovery is after a concussion. As a leading integrative medical practice in Portland, our team is dedicated to guiding patients through every step of concussion management, blending evidence-based medicine with personalized care.
 
After experiencing a concussion, we generally recommend an initial period of both physical and mental rest—usually 24 to 48 hours—to allow your brain to begin healing. During this time, our providers advise minimizing activities that require intense focus, like reading, screen use, or work, as well as avoiding strenuous physical exertion. This brief rest helps reduce common symptoms such as headache, dizziness, and difficulty concentrating.
 
However, prolonged complete rest is not necessary and, according to current medical guidelines, may even slow your recovery. After the first couple of days, our clinicians will work closely with you to develop a customized, stepwise plan to help you gradually return to your normal activities. We monitor your progress and symptoms, helping you increase mental and physical tasks at a safe and comfortable pace. If symptoms return or worsen, we recommend scaling back and providing additional rest before resuming activities.
 
Recovery times can vary, and our team at Urban Wellness Group is here to support you throughout the process. Many patients recover fully within one to two weeks, though some may need more time. We emphasize not returning to high-risk activities—like contact sports—until you’ve been thoroughly evaluated and cleared by our healthcare professionals. Returning too soon increases the risk of a more serious injury.

The timeline for returning to sports or physical activity depends on the type and severity of your condition, as well as your overall health and how your body is healing. Our providers recommend that you wait to resume activities until you are free from pain, swelling, and any limitations in movement or strength. If you are recovering from a musculoskeletal injury, it’s important that you regain normal movement and strength in the affected area before returning to your routine.
 
For illnesses such as the flu or COVID-19, you should be fever-free for at least 24 hours, have regained your normal energy levels, and be able to perform daily activities comfortably. Our team can help monitor your progress and ensure you’re ready to safely return to exercise.
 
Personalized Recovery Plans: We believe in individualized care—your provider at Urban Wellness Group will develop a gradual and structured plan tailored to your needs. Rushing back into physical activity too soon can increase your risk of re-injury or complications. We’ll guide you through a safe progression, and if you notice any return of pain, swelling, shortness of breath, dizziness, or other concerning symptoms, we encourage you to contact us immediately.

Concussions are a type of traumatic brain injury—they are common and can often be managed with appropriate care and rest. However, certain symptoms following a concussion may indicate a medical emergency and require immediate evaluation by a healthcare professional.
 
If you or a loved one experiences any of the following after a head injury, Urban Wellness Group strongly recommends you seek emergency medical attention right away:

• Worsening or severe headache
• Repeated vomiting
• Prolonged confusion or difficulty waking up
• Loss of consciousness, even if brief
• Slurred speech
• Weakness or numbness in any part of the body
• Loss of balance, coordination issues, or difficulty walking
• Seizures or convulsions
• Unequal pupil size or persistent vision changes
• Clear fluids or blood draining from the nose or ears
 
For children, additional warning signs include inconsolable crying, refusal to eat, or inability to recognize familiar people.

Recovering from a mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI) or managing chronic post-concussion syndrome requires a sophisticated, highly individualized neurological protocol that goes far beyond the outdated advice of just resting in a dark room. At Urban Wellness Group, Dr. Jason Zabell, ND, specializes in functional neurology and holistic concussion management to safely guide patients back to their normal routines. By addressing the specific metabolic, vascular, and neurological disruptions caused by head trauma, Dr. Zabell helps athletes, accident survivors, and busy professionals protect their cognitive long-term health.

Dr. Zabell conducts meticulous, multi-system evaluations to pinpoint your exact deficits—whether you are struggling with visual tracking issues, balance instability, chronic headaches, or autonomic nervous system dysfunction. His evidence-based treatment plans combine targeted neuro-rehabilitation exercises, specific craniosacral techniques, and specialized nutritional therapies designed to reduce neuroinflammation and accelerate cellular repair in the brain. Under Dr. Zabell’s comprehensive care and systematic progress monitoring, you can conquer persistent brain fog, safely rebuild your physical tolerance, and return to school, work, and sport with absolute confidence. For more information, please contact us or make an appointment online. We are conveniently located at 4900 SE Division St. Portland, OR 97206. We serve patients from Portland OR, Milwaukie OR, Happy Valley OR, Oak Grove OR, Lake Oswego OR, Beaverton OR, Tigard OR, and surrounding areas.